The Israelites had faced nosy neighbors before. This time, it would cost Syria’s governor dearly. As we saw in the last episode, Tattenai, the Persian governor of Syria, on the other side of the Jordan, had heard about this building project. He came to see and inquire about it. When he had the facts, he […]
Read More… from March 20, 2025 — Was Trouble Or Treasure Coming?
The note he left behind told the story. Life often hangs by a thread. […]
The preacher at her door had an amazing story to tell. Mere coincidence? Hardly. It was one chance in a kazillion. But there they were, face to tear-stained face, and he had a secret for her she had never even hoped could be true. But God loves happy endings. […]
It was a childish mistake. Could it be fixed—and changed into a life-long lesson? […]
Here’s a beautiful combination. The people heeded the prophets and the prophets helped the people. With local interference and faraway palace intrigue, the temple restoration in Jerusalem had ground to a halt. Sixteen years after the process had begun, the people had yet to finish. Now the site lies silent. But God is not idle. […]
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God” (1 Jn 4:1). Here’s the irony of the situation. The people who wrote the letter to Artaxerxes to convince him to stop the building project in Jerusalem didn’t even belong in the Land. And they had not emigrated by choice; they […]
“Hate” has four letters, but so does “love”; “lying” has five letters, but so does “truth.” Write wisely. Normally it’s impolite to read someone else’s correspondence. But in this case, it’s encouraged. The Spirit included these written communications “for our learning” (Rom 15:4). I wonder if the authors of these letters might have said some things differently […]
It’s so 21st century! Sending propaganda through the media to ruin the reputation of others. The adversaries’ initial efforts to stop the temple project came to nothing, so they decided to bring out the big guns with a letter-writing campaign. Anyone seeking to understand Ezra 4 needs to be a little familiar with the kings […]