How to do God’s work successfully (Neh 2:11-20)
Neh 2:11-20 As numbers in most Western churches are dwindling, many ask what the church needs to do to attract more people and thrive. Some look to different projects, to community outreaches, vibrant worship, activities for the kids, entertaining and…
Learning to act with courage and wisdom (Neh 2:1-10)
Neh 2:1-10 Thinking about courage, I came across this quote on the internet, parts of which are also cited by others. ‘Courage is not the absence of fear, but the capacity to act in the presence of fear. Faith is…
The secret of effective prayer (Neh 1:1-11)
I continue the study of Ezra-Nehemiah, which were originally written on one scroll and were meant to be read as one book. For an overview, see my Ezra-Nehemiah Intro – When restoration is not a quick fix. Neh 1:1-11 On…
The challenge of re-applying ancient laws in new contexts (Ezra 9-10)
This is my last post on the mixed marriage crisis drawing some lessons from the story overall. In an OT class I taught, we were reflecting on the Mosaic law and how to interpret regulations in a meaningful way. I…
Lessons from the intermarriage crisis – our priorities (Ezra 10)
Ezra 10:1-44 Recently when discussing Ezra 9-10, someone mentioned to me the plight of African chiefs with several wives who came to Christ and were encouraged by missionaries to divorce them, a tragic fate for those women. This situation seems…
Recovering the biblical vision of God (Ezra 9:5-15)
Ezra 9:5-15 Reading Ezra’s prayer, I am struck by how different his approach to God is compared to what we are used to today. For some from a toxic Christian background, guilt is a constant companion exaggerating every sin, every…
Were the exiles concerned about racial purity in marriages? Part II.
Ezra 9:1-15 In the first part of this question (Were the exiles concerned about racial purity in marriages? Part I), I explored the reason in Deuteronomy 7, which the exiles used to condemn intermarriages with non-Jews. I now turn to…
Were the exiles concerned about racial purity in marriages? Part I.
Ezra 9:1-2 Given that modern readers are particularly sensitive to the issue of racism, it is not surprising that we immediately suspect it in the exiles’ story and this assumption is sadly reinforced by many translations that have ‘holy race’…
What influences dominate our life? (Ezra 9:1-4)
Ezra 9:1-4 A few years ago, I visited Jim Thompson’s house in Bangkok, an American businessman who helped revitalise traditional Thai silk weaving. On the guided tour, I was struck by how Thai beliefs shaped so much in the structure…
Does trust in God preclude human effort? (Ezra 8:21-36)
Ezra 8:21-36 In a church I attended in the UK, an African student finished his studies and was looking for a job in engineering. After several unsuccessful interviews, stressed about his expiring visa and how to support his family, he…