Category Archives: Return

Read Zechariah 1:1-21 The Minor Prophets (Zechariah is one) are some of the least read and least understood books of the Bible. People may have a feel for the unfolding history of Israel from the days of the patriarchs to … Continue reading →

Read Ezra 10:1-44 You don’t have to pay them to do it. Why, you don’t even have to ask them to do it. They do it naturally. They examine your life and recognize your weaknesses and sins. Now, before you … Continue reading →

Read Ezra 9:1-15 Years ago, we were made to think that it was somehow odd, perhaps even unnatural, when a man and woman from different races or nationalities got married. Today, it is quite common. In fact, you may look … Continue reading →

Read Ezra 8:1-36 Ezra chapter 8 has incredible value, and yet, many of the verses could have been left out without notice. If Ezra had not included it, most of us as readers would not have asked questions like: How … Continue reading →

Read Ezra 7:1-28 Historian? Spectator? Participant? Which are you? Ezra began writing this book as a historian. He wrote about events that had taken place decades before. He wrote about Israelites who returned as part of a first wave of … Continue reading →

Read Ezra 5:1-6:22 It was in the year 538 b.c. that Cyrus, King of Persia, permitted thousands of Jews to return from their captivity in Babylon to their homeland and its capital city of Jerusalem. Shortly after their homecoming, they … Continue reading →

Read Ezra 4:1-24 The headlines today regularly cover some kind of opposition being expressed towards Israel. That is certainly nothing new. There was evidence of it even before their enslavement in Egypt leading up to the exodus under the leadership … Continue reading →

Read Ezra 3:1-13 If you trace the history of the Jewish temple to its original roots, you will discover it all began with a portable tent. During the time of Moses and the Exodus, the Tent of Meeting represented the … Continue reading →

Read Ezra 2:1-70 For some, today’s reading may have been reminiscent of the genealogies found in other Bible passages. Though no mention of anyone dying, there were lots of names and numbers. Someone in 538 b. c. sure kept great records … Continue reading →

Read Ezra 1:1-11 In 539 b. c. Jews may have wondered about their future. The once unified nation had split into two: Israel and Judah. “Their” land had been invaded and the capital city had been destroyed. People had been … Continue reading →