September 26 / Psalms 125-134; Nehemiah 12:31-47

Psalms 125-134; Nehemiah 12:31-47 Today we get a more complete description of the arrangements for the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem. We also get more than a few psalms, so I suggest breaking these up into multiple short readings over the course of the day so as to have a chance to let each …

September 25 / Nehemiah 11:1-12:30; Psalms 120-124

Nehemiah 11:1-12:30; Psalms 120-124 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres. Nehemiah 12:27 God’s people rightly celebrate the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. …

September 23 / Psalms 1, 91, 119:1-80

Psalms 1, 91, 119:1-80 Today we jump back into the Psalms, reading those that were likely written during the “postexilic” period. We might notice that — on the surface — some of these psalms may seem somewhat contrary to the message of Job, sounding a bit like Job’s friends with the “good things happen to …

September 21 / Nehemiah 5-7

Nehemiah 5-7 Today Nehemiah confronts a problem that is all too common: the exploitation of the weak by the powerful. The not-so-noble nobles and officials are exacting exorbitant interest on loans to the poor, driving them further and further into debt so that their only recourse is to turn over their land or even their …

September 20 / Nehemiah 1-4

Nehemiah 1-4 Today we meet Nehemiah, the cupbearer to Artaxerxes, the king of Persia. It’s now 445/444 BC, 13 years since Ezra’s journey to Jerusalem and nearly a century since the return of the first exiles under Cyrus. While living in the Persian capital of Susa, Nehemiah hears of the poor condition of Jerusalem, particularly …