Ezra 8 Dear RTB’ers, Yesterday we read that Ezra had received the king’s abundant blessing for his return to Jerusalem. Today he prepares for his journey by gathering people, especially Levites, plus silver and gold and vessels for temple offerings. Then after three days of prayer and fasting they are off on their journey, arriving …
Author Archives: Fred
June 20 / Ezra 7
Ezra 7 Dear RTB’ers, Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah … son of Aaron the chief priest—this Ezra went up from Babylonia. (vv. 1a, 5b-6a; see also Ezra7:8-9) We learn a couple of things in these opening verses. First, some sixty years have passed since …
June 19 / Ezra 5-6
Ezra 5-6 Dear RTB’ers, Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. (v. 5:1; see also Ezra 6:14) I love it when Scripture confirms itself. We will be reading the prophetic …
June 18 / Ezra 4
Ezra 4 Dear RTB’ers, We learned yesterday that the returning exiles had built the altar (Ezra 3:2-3) and had begun rebuilding the temple by laying down of the foundation (Ezra 3:10). Then opposition arose from Israel’s neighbors. They first suggested working together (Ezra 4:2), which offer was rejected by the Jerusalem leaders. They then succeeded …
June 17 / Ezra 3
Ezra 3 Dear RTB’ers, Thank you, John, for covering for me yesterday. It was a travel day for Carol and me, going to our daughter’s home in Maryland where we will be grandkid-sitting for a few days. In addition, I had been ill Sunday night and Monday night and did not feel well enough to …
June 15 / Philemon
Philemon 1-25 Dear RTB’ers, Philemon, Paul’s shortest letter – one chapter, 25 verses, all about one topic, returning a “beloved brother” (v. 16) slave/servant to his owner. It’s nice how Paul says that he could have commanded Philemon to take Onesimus back, presumably with forgiveness, but instead wants Philemon to do that willingly: …but I …
June 14 / Colossians 3:18-4:18
Colossians 3:18-4:18 Dear RTB’ers, Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (vv. 3:23-24) Again, Amen! Blessings.
June 13 / Colossians 3:1-17
Colossians 3:1-17 Dear RTB’ers, There are so many verses worth noting today that it’s difficult to pick just one. Compared to yesterday’s theological, doctrinal passage, today Paul simply lays out solid advice for sound Christian living. Together that we embrace his words (in principle, if not in practice) and agree with today’s final, summary statement: …
June 12 / Colossians 2:8-23
Colossians 2:8-23 Dear RTB’ers, I suspect that Biblical scholars, especially theologians have a lot of fun with today’s reading. Much of the material that we read today does not have a lot of “flesh-and-blood meat” for us. That is, Paul’s words were written for those 1st-century Colossians; we have to make our own extensions to …
June 11 / Colossians 1:24-2:7
Colossians 1:24-2:7 Dear RTB’ers, sufferings…, afflictions…, struggling…, (Col. 1:24, 29), plus a mention of “how great a struggle” in the very next verse (Col. 2:1). Paul wants it known that he has struggled in the past and that he is currently afflicted for his faith in Christ and for his preaching of the gospel. It’s …