Jeremiah 20 - 31: The roaring lion

- Boldness:  Jeremiah stood up to Pashur, the chief priest of the temple (Jer 20:1). For his boldness and courage, Jeremiah was thrown into the stocks, beaten, and publicly humiliated.
- Wingman:  "But God, a most fierce warrior, is at my side" (Jer 20:11). At a low point, this truth comforted Jeremiah. I'm going to hang onto this one too for when I next need it.
- Are you kidding me?  Pashur, the chief priest who publicly punished Jeremiah, came back to ask Jeremiah for help against Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Jeremiah couldn't help him; it was too late.
- Can't claim ignorance:  Israel could never say they hadn't been warned. Multiple prophets explained in detail the coming judgment. How could the people ignore this?
- Don't be a know-it-all:  "Don't pretend that you know all the answers yourselves and talk like you know it all" (Jer 28:37-38). Ouch.
- The Lion:  When angry, "God roars like a lion from high heaven" (Jer 25:30). At the SF Zoo, the lions are in a Lion House with marble floors, and when it's feeding time, their roars echo and resonate throughout the zoo. It's an incredible sound and makes your heart pound. There's a vibration in the air that's hard to describe.
- More boldness:  Jeremiah stood up to a false prophet named Hananiah (Jer 28) who was giving the people false hope. The people were not happy.
- Faithful:  God told his people, "I've never quit loving you and never will" (Jer 31:2-6).
- The Master Gardener:  Jer 31:27 says that God plants people and animals in their place & time like a farmer plants seeds.

Elena's verse of the day:  "I am everywhere--both near and far, in heaven and on earth. There are no secret places where you can hide from me" (Jeremiah 23:23-24)

Nehemiah 12 - Esther - Job 5: Queen of Persia

- Righteous reforms:  Nehemiah seemed to have an amazing knack for leadership and administration. He instituted all sorts of reforms in Israel after he finished rebuilding the wall and the temple, including reforms in worship, sacrifices, Sabbath practices, tithes, and more. He was organized and a great record keeper, and as a leader he seemed to inspire loyalty and a spirit of teamwork among the Israelites and the Levites, including Ezra the scholar.
- Queen of Persia:  The book of Esther is my favorite book in the Bible. The way the story plays out, the timing and the details, reveal a God who works in the large and the small events of history (aka Providence). One interesting historical note:  The events of Esther took place a few decades before the events of Ezra and Nehemiah, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
- It's cool to be a Jew:  Esther tells the story of evil Haman and his plot to exterminate the entire Israelite race. His plan to destroy the Jews backfired in so many ways, including one I never noticed before--it became cool to be a Jew. "Many non-Jews became Jews--not it was dangerous not to be a Jew" (Esther 8:15-17). When Mordecai, Esther's cousin, was honored and promoted to second in command of Persia, there was great celebration and laughter. In a breathtaking turn of events, Mordecai was given Haman's position, estate, and wealth. Mordecai was brilliant and wise, Scripture says.
- Esther's heroism still celebrated today:  The Jews still celebrate Purim in honor of the events of Esther.It's called the Feast of Esther or the Festival of Lots.Purim this year was held Feb 28 - March 1. I decided to do some research--here's how Purim is currently celebrated, according to a website called "BeingJewish.com":

• The night of Purim we read the Book of Esther in the synagogue immediately after the nighttime prayers. Each time the name of Haman (the bad guy) is mentioned, we make noises, stomp, yell, that sort of thing. We call this practice Klopping Haman -- "Hitting Haman." It is done to remember the commandment of "You shall blot out the name of Amalek." (Haman was an Amalekite, and that was his real motive for hating Jews. It was an "inherited" racism.)
• Afterwards, we go home and eat a festive meal. The custom today is to visit one's Rabbis or anyone who has taught you Judaism lessons. In many places people (often students in a yeshivah) put on plays, usually funny plays, but not always. In general, the theme is fun and happiness. A lot of singing and dancing goes on, but it is forbidden to act wild or dangerous. This happiness is a requirement by Law, except for people who are, G-d forbid, in mourning.
• The next morning, after the morning prayers, we read the Book of Esther again, doing the same thing at the evil Haman's name. Afterwards, we eat a festive breakfast meal, and begin the day's other observances. The day's obligatory services constitute a number of things, including the giving of charity to at least two poor people. This is called Matanos lo'evyonim. It is a requirement and an obligation, and one of the Commandments we are required to fulfill on the day of Purim.
• The Law, however, is that we should give to anyone who asks, and we pray that G-d do likewise to us, to give us whatever we ask just for asking. It is known that Purim is the best day for raising charity, because everyone gives what they can and often more.
• Also among the day's obligatory services is the requirement to give at least one friend two food items that are already prepared and are ready to be eaten. This is called Shalach Manos (though to be grammatically correct it should be called Mishlo'ach Manos, but few people bother with grammar these days, so never mind).
• You can read about these in the Megillah, the Book of Esther, Chapter 9, verse 22: "...as the days on which the Jews gained relief from their enemies, and the month which had been transformed for them from one of sorrow to gladness, and from mourning to festivity. They were to observe them as days of feasting and gladness, and for sending delicacies to one another, and gifts to poor people."
• We celebrate by having joy and happiness. That's why we make plays, that's why we spend the day in never-ending singing and dancing, going around giving our friends and relatives baskets of goodies and sweets, dressing in costumes, cracking jokes, getting tipsy, giving charity, things like that.
• The primary Festive Purim Meal is eaten in the late afternoon on Purim, after Minchah (the afternoon prayer). One must eat bread (washing as Jewish Law dictates), at least one cooked food, and drink at least one cup of wine. We call this the Purim Seudah.
• The drinking of wine is significant, because many of the events of Purim happened through wine. Ahasueraus got drunk and killed Vashti, paving the way for Esther to be made queen. Esther gave wine to King Ahasueraus and lowered his defenses, which resulted in his killing Haman. Thus the Megillah tells us that we should celebrate by "feasting." The Hebrew words for "feasting" means bread, cooked food, and drinking wine. The Talmud therefore tells us to drink on Purim "more wine than we usually do."
• During this meal, it is customary to begin the study of the Laws of Passover, which is just one month away.
• The day before Purim, the Fast of Esther, we do not eat from morning until after hearing the Megillah at night, because of the fast that Esther ordained.
• At the afternoon service before Purim it is customary to give three coins (preferably silver, and preferably coins with the number ½ on them) to charity in memory of the three "half-shekels" given to the Temple. In many synagogues the coins are provided as loans. We donate one-and-a-half dollars to the synagogue, to purchase the coins. We then pick up the silver coins so that we can take possession of them, and then donate them back to the synagogue. This is called Mach'tzis Hashekel, The "Half-Shekel."
• It is correct not to engage in business or go to work on Purim, if this is possible.
• Before and during Purim we wish each other "ah fraylechin Purim" -- a joyful Purim.

Elena's verse of the day:  "Remember the time when our sorrow was turned to joy and celebration took the place of crying...." (Esther 9:22).

Ezra 9 – Nehemiah 11: A hammer in one hand & a spear in the other

I loved this passage. Finally, Israel seems to have turned a corner from their ungodly ways and is pursuing the godly path. In the books of Kings and Chronicles, I was overwhelmed with the account of their evil ways, especially setting up idols in the temple and allowing religious prostitution in, as well. Every once in a while, a godly king set out to clean up and reform the nation. But as soon as he died, his son reverted back to the old pagan ways with the nation following. After the seemingly endless cycles of sin and judgment, Ezra and Nehemiah are like a breath of fresh air!

- A moment to remember:  Ezra was a Bible scholar and teacher. He worked together with Nehemiah to bring the holy city of Jerusalem back to life and health.  Part of the work involved rebuilding the temple. At the temple rededication, Ezra was overcome with sadness at Israel’s past rebellion and sinfulness. He wept, prostrate in front of the temple. As he prayed and confessed, huge numbers of men, women, and children joined him, weeping as if their hearts would break.

- Making things right:  After this powerful moment of repentance, Ezra and the people mourned and fasted. They also divorced their foreign spouses; God had forbidden intermarriage with pagan tribes because the people seemed to be too easily swayed into idol worship (Ezra 10:1ff).

- Let’s get to work:  Nehemiah is a book of action. Nehemiah was cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia. He seemed to have a strong relationship with the king. He asked for the king’s permission, and the king’s help, to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem and begin the rebuilding of the city. The king granted his request.

- Golden Age of Greece:  Some historical context. The events in the book of Nehemiah took place from 446-433 BC, a time when Athens was booming. Pericles was building the Parthenon (a temple to the goddess Athena) on the Acropolis. The philosopher Socrates was a young man.

- Fast tracking:  The wall around Jerusalem was a group effort by Israelites newly returned from exile. Rebuilding the wall took just 52 days. In construction, expediting building projects is called “fast tracking.” Especially impressive given that the workers had to work with a tool in one hand and a spear in the other to ward off attackers.

- Celebration:  When the wall was completed, a celebration began, featuring repentance, worship, confession, and readings from Moses’ writings. A powerful sermon reflected back on Israel’s history, especially the cycles of sin, judgment, and repentance. This verse struck me: “As soon as they had it easy again, they were right back at it—more evil” (Ezra 9:26-31). The Israelites had a hard time staying on the straight and narrow.

Elena’s verse of the day:  "Our God, you are powerful, fearsome, and faithful, always true to your word" (Nehemiah 9:32).

2 Chronicles 33 - Ezra 8: Tragedy, then a new beginning

Bad news, good news:  Manasseh was one of the most evil kings Israel ever had. He even set up an Asherah idol in the temple itself. But 2 Chronicles adds some detail that was not included in 2 Kings--Manasseh repented! After he was captured, removed from the throne and carted off to Babylon in chains, he repented. "Total repentance," according to 2 Chronicles 33. God responded by restoring him to his throne in Jerusalem. He recognized that God had done it, and he followed God the rest of his life, removed the pagan paraphernalia from the temple and the city, and undid some of the damage he'd done earlier in his life. I like this story--there's hope even for someone as evil as Manasseh.
- Solomon's work undone:  God judged Israel via Nebuchadnezzar, who destroyed and burned the temple. He knocked down the Jerusalem wall, then took the Jews off to Babylon to live in exile.There's not much detail here, but it's heartbreaking just the same.
- A new beginning:  The book of Ezra tells the story of a wise biblical scholar named Ezra, a descendant of the wonderful Phinehas and his grandfather, Aaron. Ezra was put in charge of leading the Israelites back to repopulate Jerusalem and to rebuild the temple. Through God's miraculous workings, the King of Persia commanded the temple to be rebuilt and helped to pay for it. Ezra was a remarkable man--he committed himself to:

• studying God's Word
• living it, and
• teaching Israel to live its truth and ways (Ezra 7:8-10).

Elena's verse of the day:  "Many wept bitterly because they remembered seeing the first temple years before. Others were so happy they celebrated with joyful shouts" (Ezra 3:12).

2 Chronicles 19 - 32: Clasp that outstretched hand

- Secret strength:  King Jotham had a secret source of strength--it "was rooted in his steady and determined life of obedience to God" (2 Chronicles 27:6). I want that for my life!

- Hang on:  When King Hezekiah called the people of Israel back to repentance, he exhorted them wtih this: "Clasp God's outstretched hand....Your God is gracious and kind and won't snub you--come back and he'll welcome you with open arms" (2 Chron 30:6-9). This reminds me of a scene in my favorite movie, Man From Snowy River, when a woman falls over the edge of a cliff in a storm. She ends up stranded on a ledge. The next day, she is found and her rescuer holds his whip over the edge. All she has to do is clasp it.
- God listened:  Hezekiah was a godly man and repaired the decrepit temple. They had a big festival of dedication including sacrifice and worship. The result? "And God listened, listened as the ascending sound of their prayers entered his holy heaven" (2 Chron 30:27). I picture the prayers as birds, gliding, climbing on a spiraling column of warm air into the heavens where God opens the window to his throne room and lets them in, embracing them with open arms.


Elena's verse of the day:  "The priests and Levites asked God to bless the people, and from his home in heaven, he did" (2 Chron 20:27).

2 Chronicles 2 - 18: Don't forget the foreigner

- Don't forget the foreigner:  Solomon seemed to have a vision for the Kingdom of God when he prayed at the temple dedication. After he prayed for the people of Israel, he said this: "Don't forget the foreigner....so that people all over the world will know who you are and what you're like (2 Chronicles 6:32-33).

- Fire & clouds:  After the prayers of dedication, God sent a lightning bolt down to the altar. Then a cloud of his glory filled the temple. Sounds like God was happy.
- Solomon's throne:  What an amazing visual. Solomon's throne was ivory covered in gold. It had 6 steps leading up to it, and 12 gold lions lining the steps.
- Wild child:  Solomon loved God, but his son Rehoboam did not. 2 Chronicles 12:14 said this: "God was not important to him." Simple, but clear. I hope this will never be said about me.
- Shout it out:  Although the people strayed repeatedly, they did repent at times. In 2 Chron 15:14, the people repented and returned to God. They "shouted out" their promise to God with blasts from trumpets and rams' horns."
- Totally devoted:  God is "constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him" (2 Chron 16:9). He censured King Asa for going to a foreign king (King of Aram) for help. "You were foolish to go for human help when you could've had God's help." How often this describes me! Not only did Asa go to a foreign king, he took silver and gold from the temple treasuries and gave it to the King of Aram to buy his favor. How sad.

Elena's verse of the day:  "The Lord is good and his love never ends" (2 Chronicles 5:13 & 7:3).

1 Chronicles 16 - 2 Chronicles 1: Silver & gold as common as rocks

"He's on His way to set things right! Give thanks to God--He is good and His love never quits" (1 Chronicles 16:33-34).

- Facts and figures:  Much of this passage is a roster of names and administrative details for the running of a country and the building of a temple.

- Before he died, David stockpiled construction materials for the temple his son Solomon would be building. He set Solomon up for success. He also gave Solmon detailed blueprints and specs. In addition, the people donated large quantities of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and precious jewels (1 Chron 28:10). The result? "The people were full of a sense of celebration--all that giving!" (1 Chron 29:9).
- Now that's a worship band:  There were 4,000 Levitical priests assigned to the orchestra alone to carry out "the work of worship" (1 Chron 25:6).
- Level playing field:  The Levitical priests were directed to draw names out of a hat for their particular work assignment. "Nobody, whether young or old, teacher or student, was given preference or advantage over another" (1 Chron 25:8). This must be a very important point, as it's repeated. I do know this principle goes so against human nature--we're always looking for the advantage, the short cut, or the fast pass so we don't have to stand in line like everyone else.
- Organized to a tee:  This passage spells out a highly organized administrative system including orders for a vast security force, army, government of tribes, storage and supply, farming, wine growing, ranching and herding, and childcare (of the king's sons).
- God never judges a book by its cover:  "God examines every heart and sees through every motive" (1 Chron 28:9).
- David prays:  "Everything comes from You--all we're doing is giving back what we've been given from your generous hand" (1 Chron 29:14).
- A parent's prayer:  David prayed this about Solomon:  Give Solomon "an uncluttered and focused heart so he can obey what you command, live by your directions and counsel," and carry out your plan (1 Chron 29:19). Lord, I pray this for my children today.

- This is how rich Solomon was:  "The king made silver and gold as common as rocks" (2 Chron 1:15).

Elena's verse of the day:  "Be confident, and never be afraid of anything or get discouraged. The Lord my God will help you" (1 Chronicles 28:20)

1 Kings 7-15: 14 day party, golden calves, & relentless love

- Relentless God:  Solomon finished the temple and held a dedication ceremony where he blessed the people, then prayed: "O God, God of Israel, there is no God like you in the skies above or on the earth below who unswervingly keeps covenant with his servants and relentlessly loves them...." (1 Kings 8:20-21). I love that--God is relentless in his love for us.
- A shepherd's heart:  Like his father David, Solomon had a shepherd's heart and interceded for his people with God: "Forgive your people who have sinned against you....They are, after all, your people and your precious inheritancae whom you rescued..." (1 Kings 8:50-51).
- Seven day party times two:  The temple celebration was incredible, with 22,000 cattle sacrificed. It's beyond imagination. Oh yeah, and 120,000 sheep! They started out to celebrate for seven days, then went another seven for two solid weeks of celebration.
- Obsessed with women:  The Message version I'm reading says that Solomon was obsessed with women. His pagan wives and concubines led him into worship of the pagan false gods and he openly defied God. How could the wisest man in the world be so foolish? A good, cautionary tale for us not to relax our pursuit of a holy life and to follow God our entire lives so we end well. Solomon loved God but lost momentum and allowed himself to be enticed away from his first love.
- Not the golden calves again:  Jeroboam made two golden calves for the people to worship, just as they'd done back in Moses' time. It's interesting how sin seems to run in cycles and come back around again.


Elena's verse of the day:  "There's not enough room in all of heaven for you, Lord God. How could you possibly live on earth in this temple?" (1 Kings 8:27).

2 Samuel 20 - 1 Kings 6: Bedrock, Rock-mountain, & rescuing Knight

Wow--these chapters were like a roller coaster ride filled with incredible events that took my breath away. I got a strong sense of David's intimate relationship with God, but also realized, perhaps for the first time, some of David's major flaws. That God loved him and protected him gives me hope that God loves me in spite of my flaws.

- The good-for-nothing:  The Israelites split and part followed a good-for-nothing named Sheba. But the men of Judah stayed committed to David (2 Samuel 20:2-3). David's reign was never easy--there were always revolts, most of them carried out by his own flesh and blood.
- The rescuing knight:  David was a musician and composer, and chapter 22 records the lyrics to a song he wrote and sang to God. It is achingly beautiful. In it, he uses powerful metaphorical language to describe how he feels about God. Here are some of the images he uses to describe God:

• Mountaintop refuge
• Bedrock
• The castle in which I live
• Rescuing knight
• Granite hideout
• Warrior
• Rock
• Israel's Rock-mountain
• Emanating cloud-brightness
• Hurricane anger
• Writer ("God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes" (2 Sam 22:21-25).

- Destroying angel:  This story left me quaking. God was angry at David for his pride in ordering a census to determine the number of fighting men in the country (seems innocent, but it was a sure sign that he wasn't trusting and relying on God for his strength). God sent a judgment, carried out by a destroying angel. David saw the angel, hovering between heaven and earth with sword drawn, ready to destroy Jerusalem through plague. David built an altar, sacrificed, and prayed, interceding with God. "God was moved by the prayers and that was the end of the disaster" (2 Sam 24:25). I was reminded of God's power, and also that God listens and cares. Prayer is vitally important.
- Not another one:  David was old and dying in the beginning of 1 Kings, and yet another son, the next in line behind the dead Absalom, wanted the throne from his father. HIs name was Adonijah, and he was as gorgeous as Absalom had been. The text says that David had never disciplined him as a child. However, Adonijah was not God's  chosen, even though many supported his cause, including Joab, the mighty commander of David's armies. Solomon was the chosen one to succeed David. Bathsheba and Nathan interceded with David for Solomon, and got through--David crowned Solomon king.
- Time to clean house:  After David died, King Solomon cleaned house and took care of some of David's unfinished business, including carrying out some just killings. Why didn't David do this? (1 Kings 2).
- Peace:  During Solomon's reign, "peace reigned everywhere" (1  Kings 4:24-25).
- Wisdom reigns:  Solomon was recognized as the wisest man alive, and this was a gift from God. People came from all over to listen to his wisdom.
- Temple construction began, and the stone blocks were dressed at the quarry so that the building site itself was "reverently quiet" (1 Kings 6). It took Solomon 7 years to build the temple (a significant number).
- Dazzling:  The inner sanctuary of the temple was all gold, walls, floors, everything (1 Kings 6:19-22). Two huge cherubim, 15 feet tall, filled the sanctuary. Their outstretched wings were 15 feet long, and they were covered in pure gold.

Elena's verse of the day:  "Hiram said, 'I am grateful that the Lord gave David such a wise son to be king of that great nation'" (1 Kings 5:7).