Monday, July 5, 2021

 Introduction to Nehemiah

 

Nehemiah's a Hebrew cupbearer to Artaxerxes, who allows him to return to Jerusalem to help set things in order and rebuild the city. Gentile leaders from different provinces (specifically, leaders of the Ammonites, Samaritans, and Arabs) try to derail the rebuilding project, but thanks to some military readiness, Nehemiah and his workers successfully speed-build the walls of the city. After this, Nehemiah reads the riot act to Israelite officials and nobles who have been oppressing the poor, charging ridiculous interest on loans, and forcing the people to pawn their land in order to eat. He successfully evades charges of rebellion against the Persian king drummed up by his enemies, and has Ezra give everyone a crash course on the Laws of Moses. The surviving Jews return from exile to repopulate Jerusalem, and Nehemiah—who's come back from a trip to the Persian capital in Susa—shapes up the backsliding Jews, breaks up more interfaith. 

JULY 5 Monday

 

Nehemiah, Chapter 2, Verse 1-3

¹ In the month Nisan of the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when the wine was in my charge, I took some and offered it to the king. Because I had never before been sad in his presence, ² the king asked me, “Why do you look sad? If you are not sick, you must be sad at heart.” Though I was seized with great FEAR, ³ I answered the king: “May the king live forever! How could I not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates consumed by fire?”

 

Here the God of God’s moves the heart of a great and powerful King toward Nehemiah like He did with Joseph the many years before when he was sold into slavery by his brothers. Our God is a God of love and life and desires only to nurture our souls.

 

Daily Devotions

·         Eat waffles and Pray for the assistance of the Angels

·         Monday: Litany of Humility

·         Drops of Christ’s Blood

·         Universal Man Plan

·         Bourbon Day

·         Rosary