Jeremiah 19-21

Jeremiah was despondent.  God only gave him bad news to share with the people because of their persistence in disobedience.  He was running out of hope.  So he began to pray.  He lifted up his burden to God beginning in 20:7.  Yet by the time he had finished the words of verse 10 the Lord was already lifting him up.  When he wrote verse 13 his mourning had turned to praise of the God of Israel.  But in the last 5 verses Jeremiah returned to the mourning of his life.  God had given him a glimpse of his glory, but the task at hand weighed heavy upon the prophet. 

It took me about 9 minutes to read this passage.

Stuart

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Paul of Tarsus

Isaiah 17

Verse 6 of this chapter speaks of a remnant. All through scripture the idea os a remnant is persistent. Abel was the remnant of thankfulness in the days when sin sought mastery over men. Noah was a remnant of holiness amongst the wickedness of the world. Lot was a remnant of righteousness among the wicked cities. Job was the remnant of integrity while surrounded by loss and prejudices. Abraham was the remnant of faith among a people of idolatry. Isaac was a remnant of persistent obedience in a divided self-centered family. Jacob was a remnant of devotion to the God of provisions in contrast to his contemporaries. The list goes on and on of the remnant of God's people whose lives were a minority contrast of the abundant evil; David was the leader of the few who praised, Elijah of the few who prayed, Elisha of the few walking in boldness, Josiah a leader of humility, and Jeremiah who was faithful with God's message. Finally, in the last days God's remnant, Christians, have become a mountain not carved by human hands that is growing to fill the whole earth. By God's power his remnant is becoming the fuller reletion of his power.
It took me about 3 minutes to read this chapter.
Stuart

Jeremiah 16-18

In the last half od chapter 18 Jeremiah records the details of a conspiracy against him. In a foreshadow of the actions of the Jewish leaders toward the price of peace, they plan the abuse of God's prophet. And what was their motivation? They refused to believe the words of Jeremiah.  It sounds like an argument of unbelievers today: if God is good he wouldn't allow THAT to happen. There are people in the church who feel the same way. Their theology can't comprehend suffering and loss as a planned part of God's kingdom.  If God turned his son over to pagans so that we could find redemption it holds to reason that some of his modern children will be turned over to pagans, just as their Lord was, so that can point the way to Christ among the pagans.
It took me 15 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart

Isaiah 15-16

Moab took credit for anything good that was in his land. How could they live so close to God's chosen and not hear his word? How could a daughter of Moab become a mother to the greatest kings in Israel and not understand God's heart? How could they have paid tribute to generations of Jewish kings and not listen to the words of the Law? How could they reject the God who had subjected them under his chosen people? Since they did not pursue God he would, and did, humble them.  What a sad statement about Moab.
It took me about 4 minutes to read this chapter.
Stuart

Jeremiah 13-15

Chapter 14 records a message that God sent to Judah during a time of drought. Just as God cursed the ground when Adam sinned so God cursed the land of promise whe Judah persisted in sin. Because the people of Judah rejected God he sent a famine on the land. The famine was to display the dependance upon God that Israel had and had been ignoring. 
It took me about 12 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart

Isaiah 14

In this chapter God spoke four messages; Israel will be restored while Babylon, Assyria, and Philistia will all be forgotten.  Though it might be argues that the 21st century doesn't see and Israel that resembles the nation during the reign of David there can be little question that God kept his word on the other three kingdoms. And given the history of the Jewish people the fact that the nation exist today gives quite a bit of validity to God's word.
It took me about 5 minutes to read this chapter.
Stuart

Jeremiah 10-12

At the begining of chapter 10 God passes to Jeremiah a warning for the people: Do not learn the ways of the nations and do not fear what they fear. Over two thousand years have passed and this message is still applicable for the people who follow after God. For the ways of this world haven't changed much at all. They still worship what their hands make, honoring objects of stone, metal, and wood (political monuments, business buildings, and houses). All the while they ignore the God who created these things to be servants of his people not leaders.
It took me about 11 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart

Jeremiah 7-9

As I was reading 9:23-24 my mind went to two passages where Paul quoted Jeremiah’s words to the Corinthian believers; 1 Corinthians 1:31 and 2 Corinthians 10:17.  I know the temptation to boast, and recently God has been teaching me how to redirect any accomplishments I see in my life to him.  It is not easy.  As a matter of fact it is easier to say nothing at all then to redirect the focus to God’s hand at work.  But I need to point everything positive back toward God and his work in not only my life but also in the church.  So I keep on practicing.

It took me about 16 minutes to read this passage.

Stuart

Isaiah 13

Generations before Babylon rose to power, while Assyria still ruled much of Isaiah's world God revealed the future rise of the Medes to Israel. This passage gives us a small idea regarding the foresight that God has. He was already looking past the time of Hezekiah, past the fall of Jerusalem, and into the decdance of corrupt and self-centered Babylon. God's plan to punish Babylon was already established. Did he tell Isaiah so that God could gloat? No. This was revealed because God wanted to give his people the exclusive first scoop. He wanted it written down and memorized generations before it came to be so that he could display his power and his faithfulness.
It took me about 4 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart

Jeremiah 4-6

We don’t have the exact time frame as to when Jeremiah offered this message to Jerusalem.  But I imagine that it may have been well before the boot of Babylon were on Jewish soil.  Jeremiah may have sounded like Noah did in the days before the flood.  Judah could look back to the days of Hezekiah and know that God repelled the army of Assyria so why wouldn’t he repel any future armies as well?  The people were caught up in their own self worth and forgot about the times of the judges when God allowed nations to rule over Israel.  Likewise we can’t grow lax in the battle against the flesh.  We must stand firm in the faith of God and when he opens our eyes to an area of our life that needs to be changed we should listen and allow him the freedom to change.  Not just for our salvation, but also for his glory.

It took me about 17 minutes to read this passage.

Stuart

Isaiah 12

The last verse of this chapter is a call for top of your lungs singing with joy to God. Our joy should not come because of his greatness, or his awesomeness, or his salvation, or even his provisions. Isaiah shares a truth that should build us up with joy that is overflowing regarding the one truth that no other deity can ever claim; he is in our midst. Pagan gods demand that their subjects come to them, but our great, awesome, saving, and providing God comes to us.  He doesn't wait for his people to reach out to him. He draws near just to be with us. That desire for human intatmacy, even with those who are fallen in rebellion, is what draws him to us and should lead us to reciprocate. Oh the joy of knowing Yahweh!!!
It took me less than 2 minutes to read this chapter.
Stuart

Jeremiah 1-3

I wonder if we can take God’s words to Jeremiah in 1:5 and make them our own? 

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

And before you were born I consecrated you;

I appointed you a ___________________________________”

Now we can fill in the blank to state the gift(s) that God has placed in our lives.  Some of us he appointed to be pastors or teachers, and others of us are floor sweepers and silent servants.  All of his appointments are honorable and fill a glorious aspect in the work of the Kingdom.  We may not get the audiences before whom Jeremiah stood, but that may not be a bad thing all of the time. 

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage.

Stuart

Isaiah 11

In verse 16 God speaks about the hiway that he will create for the returning remnant. He said it will be just like it was when Israel came out of Egypt. But I don't recall the mention of a hiway in the exodus story.  There is the reference to the Way (Exodus 23:20) but I take that to mean as they travel together not a prepared road. But then again God had indeed prepared a road for the people to travel; it just wasn't paved with asphalt. So had God already prepared a road back from exile long before Judah was sent away. That is a good reminder to us in the last days that God planned the redemption road for us in Jesus long before God incarnate walked the earth. God has always been a road builder.
It took me about 5 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart

Titus

One of the last words of instructions that Paul wrote to Timothy in this letter was that the people would “..learn to devote themselves to good works..”.  The end result of focusing on good works is that their lives would be fruitful.  Of particular attention was the need to help those who had a lack.  I think primarily that Paul was addressing the needs within the church, if not those particular to Crete.  Not as a selfish work, but rather as meeting the needs which the believers see and those being helped would know the names of those who provided the assistance.  The idea behind these contributions was to be generous and willing to share God’s abundance with those around the believers. 

It took me about 5 minutes to read this letter from Paul.

Stuart

Isiah 10

Isaiah 10:15 has been a verse that impacted my life. Though there is a great truth in it when it stands alone (don't challenge God) it is best understood when read in the context that it was written. God planned to use Assyria to punish Israel but the king of Assyria took credit for everything he had accomplished. In 2 Kings 18 and 19 we can read of that kings arrogance as he advances on Jerusalem. But God did not ordain Assyria to punish Judah. God's axe was boasting over the axman, but the axman cast the axe aside in humility. God is always in control.
It took me about 5 minutes to read this chapter.
Stuart

Job 40-42

God challenged Job to answer the questions that were set before the man in chapters 38 and 39.  Job did what I’m not sure I could do; he answered God.  Not in response to God’s challenge but as a humbled man who had just gained a better understanding of the God whom he had served.  Though it is tempting to read into God’s confrontation of Job a condemning voice I don’t believe that is what God did.  I hear rather a father seeking to explain nuclear physics to his two year old son who thinks he can understand it.  I believe that God’s voice was overflowing with love for righteous Job knowing that this faithful man could not comprehend how God works because no human vocabulary will ever be able to convey that truth.  Maybe God was a little frustrated with the inability of Job to comprehend; because God really wanted the man to understand.  I think there will be times when we face similar struggles.  God won’t reject our questions or challenges, but Job’s story is to remind us that there are many things about God that we just can’t understand; no matter how hard we try.  What we can take from God’s story is that he understands out limitations better than we do, and treats us with the love we need to carry on with this life. 

It took me about 7 minutes to read the final part of God’s response to Job.

Stuart

Isaiah 9

I am so thankful that even in Isaiah's days God was talking about the plans he had that would impact my life. God saw the dark spiritual shadow over Galilee and knew that the same shadow covered the rest of the world while Isaiah spoke to the people of Judah. The great light that he planned would not only illuminate the land beyond the Jordan but also the land beside the Wabash.
It took me about 5 minutes to read this chapter of Isaiah. Earlier today I read Job 37-39 in about 11 minutes, but I was rushed and didn't write down any thoughts from that reading.
Stuart

Isaiah 8

Verse 12 of this chapter warns Isaiah not to think and talk like the people who surrounded him.  Instead a person of faith will focus on God. Our every thought should be framed by the recognition of his presence in our lives. I would like to say that I have achieved that focus but I haven't.  
It took me about 4 minutes to read this chapter.
Stuart

Job 34-36

Elihu continues his baseless accusations against Job. He speaks of the many ways in which God punishes evil men and prospers the righteous. And in the last few verses of chapter 36 (26-33) Elihu begins to speak of God's greatness. His greatness is displayed in creation. Yet even as men do not fully understand God's creation so they cannot fully comprehend God.
It took me about 10 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart

Isaiah 7

The last two phrases in verse 9 present a message that God repeats through his word. Paul picked up the call to stand firm and repeats it ten times in his writings. We must allow our faith in God to provide the strength to faith each situation. It does not mean we may not quake but that we remain unmoved while we quake. It seems to me that when we take a stand with God by faith he will fill us with a love for him that will enable us to endure. That is the message that Isaiah gives to Ahaz; don't be move to panic and let God display his power before you.
It took me about 3 minutes to read this chapter.
Stuart

Job 31-33

I think I caught Job’s misconception in 31:3; he assumed that blessing will ALWAYS accompany those who are faithful to God and disaster is reserved for those who are evil.  But Job’s suffering was a lesson to him, and to me, that God can gain the greatest glory when his servant faces unjust suffering.  That principle will lead Jesus, and thousands of his followers, to the cross.  But each time that a Christian suffers with their faith being evident to those around them God is honored.  Though it may seem like a calamity to us in reality such suffering is a means to honor God.  Job endured his suffering with his integrity intact BECAUSE he trusted in God.  I’m thinking that Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, and Elihu might not have fared as well in their faith.  Thankful Job was a wonderful example to everyone who saw him; even those who mocked him.

It took me about 13 minutes to read this passage.

Stuart

Isaiah 6

Uzziah was probably king when Isaiah was born. For as long as Isaiah had know there had only been one king. Then Uzziah died. The man who had been the presence of the kingdom was gone. Those the political wheels kept turning and Jotham took full control the sense of loss must have been overwhelming. That was probably the most tramatic event is Isaiah's life; until God sent him a vision. It was a vision beyond Isaiah's wildest imagination. He had read about the seraphim that hung over the ark in Solomon's temple but in his vision he really saw the seraphim. They were not replicas hung from the ceiling but the actual angelic beings and they were hoovering above God's throne. And they spoke. They spoke loudly. So loud that the prophet felt his whole body shake. This was so different from the temple rituals that he had witnessed. Maybe this is what was happening behind the veil.  As the awesomeness of this sight settled upon him Isaiah became painfully aware of his sinfulness. He ached so much that he cried out in anguish,"Woe is me!" I can't even imagine the cresendo of fear as one of the seriphim letf its place over God's throne and flew right at him; holding a burning coal from the fire of the altar before the LORD.  Did Isaiah know it was Jesus who was sacrificed o that altar? Did he foresee the slaughter of the innocent so that the guilty could go free? Did he comprehend the price that God paid so that the coal could cleanse that prophet? Do I?
It only took a couple minutes to read this memorable chapter.
Stuart

Isaiah 5

Six times in this passage Isaiah proclaims sorrow upon the people of Judah. There is not one word of commendation; nothing praiseworthy is passed on by God. I wonder if the words Isaiah spoke described attitudes he already recognized in Judah or were these new revelations to the prophet? Could he name the people upon whom he spoke these sorrows beforehand, or was he surprised to see who was guilty as they squirmed angerly when he spoke God's words? For a man who was familar with the happenings in Jerusalem how much of this prophecy had been hidden from his sight? I guess I would expect Isaiah to shake his head in disbelief when God described the hidden rebellion that was active in the city that bore his holy name.
It took me about 5 minutes to read this chapter.
Stuart

Job 28-30

Where can wisdom be found?  That is the question Job poetically asked in 28:12.  It is priceless beyond compare but where can men access it great wealth?  Only God can provide the directions to the wisdom mine because it is the fear of the LORD that is wisdom. (28:28)  This great truth and proclamation of God’s power is offered by a man whose life has been crushed, but who refuses to count God as in the wrong.  Job only has his faith to sustain him so he will not toss that aside to be left drifting in life.  It may not make sense to the human mind but when we are down to our last hope, when we have cast off every other thing that drags us down, we better be holding on to the faith that God has given us; it will endure.

It took me about 11 minutes to read this passage.

Stuart

Isaiah 4

Isaiah starts the description of God's judgment and his restoration with similar wording: "In that day the LORD...."(3:18) verses "In that day the branch of the LORD..."(4:2).  The contrast of judgment and deliverance are repeated often throughout God's word because we are always deserving of judgment and he is always working toward our deliverance. And God's deliverance is usually presented through the branch, aka Jesus. That is why our hope is in the power of God's righteous branch.
It took a little more than 1 minute to read this chapter.
Stuart

Job 25-27

Job would not only speak falsely about God in the midst of his anguish he speaks out praise regarding the vastness of God’s nature.  In 26:14 Job uses some wonderful language to picture the smallness of God’s revelation of himself.  But there is no way we can comprehend any more of God.  Who could understand the full display of God’s power?  Who can imagine how he moves and acts? 

It took me about 6 minutes to read this passage.

Stuart

Isaiah 3

Judah was comfortable in her position. Through her kingdom was not all that God had promised her leaders were established. They were also selfish; the primary reason for their shrinking kingdom.  The leaders of Jerusalem elevated themselves even if it cost the people everything. Because of their persistence in neglecting the weak and ignoring God there was a day promised when all of their comfort would be taken away. But we need to understand why God respond with such punishment. It is not revenge but hope that moves God's heavy hand. Hope that the rebel will seek God's mercy. Hope that the self-rightous will humbly pursue God's heart. Hope that the sinner will seek God's cleansing.
It took me about 4 minutes to read this chapter.
Stuart

Job 22-24

Eliphaz speaks of the abuse that Job has poured out on the poor and helpless.  Job agrees that the poor and helpless have been abused but not by his hand.  Job looks to those abusers and wonders why God has not taken their wealth and posterity?  We can read the end of the book and understand God’s answers, but right now as Job speaks I think I can hear the anguish in his voice. 

It took me about 10 minutes to read this passage.

Stuart

Isaiah 2

There is a day coming.... That seems to be the message of Isaiah from 2:2 and 2:12. The first is a day of wonder while the second is a day of terror. But I think that they are one in the same days. Whether it is a day of wonder or terror depends upon which side of the cross you live. 
It took me about 5 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart

Isaiah 1

I wonder if Isaiah's heart overflowed wtih excitment with the prospects of speaking God's words?  Then I wonder what he throught when he realized that it was a message of condemnation?
It took me about 7 minutes to read this chapther.
Stuart

Job 16-18

We need to check our words when we come to someone in sorrow. In the first 3 verse of chapter 16 Job calls his "comforters" bags of wind. We need to be sure that we don't follow in the footsteps of Job's friends.
It took me about 10 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart

Job 13-15

Eliphaz makes at least two errors in judgment in this passage.  He hears Job’s desire to confront God (13:3) and quickly jumps to the conclusion that Job no longer respects the LORD (15:4).  Job was lifting his voice to God proclaiming his ignorance and seeking the answer to why God has allowed such loss in his life.  His wife and his friends offer him no support, but Job refuses to give up on God; there has got to be a good reason.  Eliphaz also says that God does not trust those who fellowship with him (15:15).  I see God always looking for the righteous and trusting them with his message and work.  Beginning with Noah there have been a number of faithful people whom God has entrusted with the work of his growing Kingdom.

It took me about 12 minutes to read this passage.

Stuart

Psalm 122

What anticipation springs from your heart at the thought of gathering with other believers? I can say that there are times when my heart races in anticipation. Too bad such a rush is the exception and not the rule.  There are other times when the planning for a gathering is more of a dirge than a dance. Yet most of the time I long for the focused time around the table and the interaction with other believers. Yet I know what is missing; my acknowledgement of God's intamate involvement in my life. The changes I see are not "earth shattering" so I don't share them with others. Maybe that is why every gathering does not cause my heart to race; because I'm not excited about the way God is working in my everyday. Maybe if I look through God's eyes at my life I won't be able to wait to share the glory with fellow believers. Maybe that is the attitude David had when he was invited to go to God's temple and worship.
It only took a minute of so to read this song.
Stuart

Job 10-12

In the exchange of words between Job and Zophar it is evident that Job acknowledges his ignorance of God’s work while Zophar feels that he has a good comprehension on the situation at hand.  Too often I have been like Zophar when I am even more ignorant than Job.  That is a struggle I’m sure that all of us face.  Just when we think we have an understanding of how God works he reveals another part of his nature to us that destroys our well constructed theologies.  At least I know that I’ve felt that way many times.

It took me about 7 minutes to read this passage.

Stuart

Job 7-9

In the middle of a great struggle it is tempting to consider that God is not present.  But Bildad points out that God will stay close to those who are his.  What Bildad missed is that even the greatest of losses do not indicate God’s displeasure in a life of faith.  Job too missed how God was working in his life; a point he admits in 9:11.  In 9:22 Job was struggling with the thought that God sent destruction on both the good and the evil.  But how could Job approach the Almighty with the accusation of such an injustice?  Job recognized his unworthiness and the need for someone to arbitrate between them (9:33).  A reality that God was already preparing the world to receive in Jesus.

I’m not sure how long it took me to read this because I was interrupted about 2/3rds of the way through.

Stuart

Psalm 121

Our help does not come from the "high places" of our culture.  What are those high places that I see? Personal wealth is the most prominent high place. The dollar amount that follows your name is fairly easy to quantify, but often proves to be a poor measurement as to the character of the person. The next in line I would call cultural wealth; that is measured by the number of people who know your name, buy your products, and imiatate your lifestyle.  After that comes unique ability, knowledge, and attitude.  In verse 7 the psalmist says God will keep us from all evil.  That sounds amazing similar to the words at the end of the Lord's prayer; "deliver us from evil." (Matthew 6:13)
It took me less than 1 minutes to read this psalm.
Stuart

Psalm 120

We make our dwelling among those who hate the prince of peace. Any place in this world we can find subtle or overt resistence to the name of Jesus.  Every year that God grants us in this life will be another year living among people who hate peace. Because God's peace does not mesh with the desires of this world. God grants peace through submission to him and obedience to his unchanging law. The world seaks peace through the display of power. The former peace is given because Jesus gave up his life, the latter peace must be earned through the taking of the lives of others. The second peace doesn't last; it is based on the ways of this fallen world while the first peace flows from the heart of our creator God and is as eternal as he is.
It didn't take very long to read this song of ascent. I presume that the words were sung repeatedly as the people advanced toward Jerusalem.
Stuart

Job 4-6

In the past I have been avoided the words of Job's three friend. Since their over-all messages were not a true reflection of God's work I fell into the same trap to which they were captured. In their words are many truths about God.  For instance Eliphaz proclaims in 5:15-16 that God rescues those who have been rejected, a truth supported elsewhere in scripture. Eliphaz's general theology is right on but it is his application to Job's situation where he misses the mark. God will indeed rescue Job, as Eliphaz describes, but it will not be in either man's timing. That is the very same hope to which we Christians can cling when injustice is poured into our lives.
It took me about 12 minutes to read Eliphaz's first accusation and Job's reply.
Stuart

Psalm 119:161-176

When I read verse 161 I wrestled with the connection of persecution of princes and the awe of God's word.  As I dwelt on that verse I looked at the similarities of rulers and God's Word. Both should be trustworthy, consistent, and honorable. Both should display love to those people living under them while serving their most basic needs of protection and provisions. That is where the contrast is drawn. The persecuting princes lack all of the charateristics that they should be sharing with God's word.  Because the words of the LORD have proven themselves true in all of these areas then they are offered the respect of their followers while it is implied that the princes are disdained.
It took me less than two minutes to read the last two stanzas of this psalm.
Stuart

Job 1-3

Job's understanding of the nature and position of God is amazing. Living in a day of idol worship and a total focus on what happens to self as portents Job saw a consistent love as God's primary expression. Job didn't define his worth before God based on his circumstances he knew that God had a reason, but he admitted that he couldn't see it. I don't think Job's complaint was about God's actions but about his reasons. I know that I have faced a similar struggle and Job provides an example of faith that I need to copy.  Because in the end life is not about the "Why's" but about God.
It took me about 9 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart

Psalm 119:145-160

Sometimes the words I speak don't make any sense.  They don't "add up" to a logical statement. Even when I have studied something for a long time my statement may sould foolish and empty. But God's word is never empty. If God's word doesn't make sence it is because of our lack of comprehension. As the psalmist said in verse 160 "the sum of your word is truth."
It took me about 2 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart

Psalm 119:129-144

In verse 132 the psalmist reminds us of God's responce to those who love him; grace. The unmerited favor of the cross is built on the foundation of God's unmerited favor in the Law. Scriptures have revealed God to people for centuries. And the repeating message of God's perpetual love and grace only grows with each new revelation. As Chrisians we know that the final, and fullest, revelation of God's love was when Jesus willing walked to the cross and embraced death so that all believers could be set free. That is grace.
It took me about 2 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart

2 Timothy

In all of Paul’s writings there seems to be at least one point that presents a very difficult teaching point.  This letter is full of those hard teachings.  One of the most difficult for me consist of three words buried toward the end of chapter 2.  In verses 24 and 25 of that chapter Paul describes six essential characteristics of a person who serves the Lord.  The fourth  one is the hardest for me: patiently enduring evil.  I hate it when bad things happen; whether to me or when I witness it toward someone else.  The more vulnerable the greater my anger over the situation.  Why does Paul lay such a burden on Christ’s followers?  I think part of it may be that he understands the fruit of enduring the oppression of evil.  More than once Paul learned the meaning of “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) Patiently enduring evil is part of being made holy for God’s purpose.  That is what Jesus did.  And we would have no hope of salvation if Jesus had acted in power.  But because he chose the path of weakness he was glorified in his resurrection and we have a savior who will help us when we are weak.  How do we learn to be patient while enduring evil?  To face evil head-on.

It took me about 12 minutes to read this letter.

Stuart

Esther 8-10

The book of Esther tells us the reaction of the Jews through the Persian empire when Haman's edict was issued (4:3) and when Mordecai's rebuttal was issued (8:16-17). But I wonder about the reaction of those deteactors who lived around Jerusalem. Bishlam. Mithredath, and Tabeel (Ezra 4:7) opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Though we aren't given a time line to compare them if these lived during the time of Mordecai I wonder how they reacted to the two edicts. And how did those Jews in Jerusalem respond. Was the decree a part of Nehemiah's motivation to finish the wall around Jerusalem? It would be interesting to stand on the wall of Jerusalem. When Haman's law was read there might have been cheers on the outside of the wall but inside the holy city there was mourning. When the second decree was read the sounds would have been reversed. Its like God turned the world upside down with the move of his almighty hand.
It took me about 7 minutes to reasd this passage.
Stuart

Psalm 119:113-128

The psalmist describes his longing in verse 123: God's salvation. Though his concept of salvation may not match with my definition in the details there is one common point; both of us would include God's presence as a part of that salvation. We would agree on the second part of the verse as well; that God's salvation involves the fulfillment of God's promises. What has God promised to the Christian? An abundant life (John 10:10), an easy burden (Matthew 11:30), the forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9), Jesus' perprtual presence (Matthew 28:20), and everlasting life (John 3:16). And those are just a few of his promises.
It took me about 2 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart