Esther (Day 427-436)

Day 427: Esther 1             The Book of Esther is shrouded in mystery. It does not seem to be intended as a serious historical account but rather a folk tale around which the Jewish people could rally after the Maccabean rebellion gave them a tenuous freedom in the second century B. C. It has numerous… Continue reading Esther (Day 427-436)

Nehemiah (Day 414-426)

Day 414: Nehemiah 1             1-3: The story of Nehemiah is set in the 20th year of King Artaxerxes, or about 445 BC. Ezra had gone to Jerusalem from Babylon, a provincial capital in the Persian Empire, in the 7th year of Artaxerxes (Ezra 7:7). Nehemiah is in the Persian capital city of Susa, and… Continue reading Nehemiah (Day 414-426)

Ezra (Day 404-413)

Day 404: Ezra 1             1-4: The first 4 verses of Ezra repeat the last 2 verses of 2 Chronicles with the added information that Cyrus’ decree also charges the neighbors of whoever wants to return to Judah with providing financial assistance for the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.             5-11: Many of the… Continue reading Ezra (Day 404-413)