Pastor’s Blog
How might we see Christ in the book of Ezra? Ezra was a priest, a direct descendant of Aaron the high priest. Ezra 7:1-6 The Lord Jesus, of course, is our Great High Priest. Hebrews 4:14 Let’s consider these two priests. In Ezra 9 and 10 we see a greatly distraught Ezra pouring out his soul in prayer for a people who have sinned egregiously—yet again!…
Most of us are acquainted with opposition. We know all too well what it’s like to have people against us or resisting what we’re doing. Opposition is a prominent theme in the book of Ezra. God moved heaven and earth to get His people back to Judah so they could rebuild the temple. But opposition arose. Fierce opposition. Again and again. Over and over. Perhaps you’ve…
The second plague God sent on Egypt (since they wouldn’t let His people go) was frogs. Frogs in the beds, frogs in the ovens, frogs in the kneading bowls, frogs everywhere! It was disgusting and miserable. So Pharaoh called for Moses and said, “Entreat the LORD that He remove the frogs from me and from my people. I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice…
Because of the similarities, this return of God’s people from Babylon has often been called the second Exodus. The second release. Nine hundred years after He released His people from Egypt, God felt the same way toward the exiles in Babylon: God heard their groaning, andGod remembered His covenantswith Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,…
A friend sent me this Marketplace listing the other day. Back in the day it was mine. It was decked out with chrome stacks, a huge Caterpillar motor, 13 speeds, air ride suspension, air ride cab & seat, a nice sleeper, flotation tires, a steerable drop-axle, and so much more! This truck was sweet, and man, could it stroll! It never complained, even under the heaviest…
“She’s my sister,” Abraham told Abimelek. Apparently Sarah was a knockout! And Abraham was sure the men would want her. “There is no fear of God among these people,” Abraham reasoned to himself. “They’ll kill me to get her.” So he lied to save his hide. Ironically, it was the fear of God that got Abraham his wife back. King Abimelek did indeed notice Sarah’s…