Esther 8-9 | Relief from Enemies | Johnny Kurcina | August 31, 2025 The book of Esther tells the story of Conflict (would the Jews be annihilated or survive), Transformation (especially of Esther from teenage girl to queen), and of Reversal of Fortunes (the Jews gained mastery over those who would destroy them)–Relief from THEIR […]

As we continue in Esther we find Esther and Mordecai in a difficult situation as they try to save the Israelites from Haman and Xerxes. Dean talks to us about the importance of knowing who you serve and how to remain steadfast in times of difficulty.

As we begin in Esther, we read about the introduction of Esther, or Hadassah, to the court of the King of Persia. Johnny talks about the importance of good stories, life in the king’s court, and how God often works in simple and unremarkable ways through simple and unremarkable people.

In the last chapters of Nehemiah, once the city is complete, Nehemiah returns to Persia for a while, and when he returns to Israel, he finds it in sin once again. Dean highlights three actions of Nehemiah in this chapter: how he leads the people in thanksgiving, how he kicks Tobiah out of the temple, […]

In Nehemiah 9, we see the people of Israel go through a confession of their sin after the Feast of Booths, as well as a prayer from Ezra, going through the Old Testament, showing God’s blessings followed by Israel’s unfaithfulness. Johnny talks about the importance of trusting God in times of wealth and of poverty.

In this chapter, we see the people of Israel reflecting on their successful work, and we see them weep when they realize how absent God has been from their lives. Alister shows us how, later in the chapter, the people have a “serious Joy”, because despite their brokenness, God has brought them back and saved […]

Nehemiah is faced with a conflict within the community. The poor, facing burdensome taxes and a famine, have had to take out loans but their creditors, their fellow Jews, are exploiting them with exorbitant terms. Many have lost their lands, vineyards, homes, their very source of income and identity, and some have had to sell […]

In Nehemiah 3, we read a detailed account of who was responsible for rebuilding every part of the wall in Jerusalem. Dean compares the rebuilding of the physical wall to the rebuilding of their spiritual wall, and how people from all trades worked together to finish the wall.

Nehemiah 1 takes place after the temple was finished, as well Nehemiah learning of the troubles the builders had from the lack of a wall or city. After a long period of daily prayer, Nehemiah talks to the king of Persia, who gives him permission, resources, and letters to send with him to rebuild Jerusalem.

Now that Ezra has been teaching in Israel for a while, the returned exiles are beginning to see their sinful ways of living. We see how, once again, Israel’s problem is the worship of other gods, or marrying from other nations, and the process of Israel’s recovery.