Author: Omar C. Garcia

Psalm 1

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What is the background of Psalm 1?
The writer of this psalm, though not named, was doubtlessly a man with deep insight into life. Psalm 1 serves as the preface to the book of Psalms. C.H. Spurgeon comments that Psalm 1 forms the text “upon which the whole of the Psalms make up a divine sermon.”

1:1   How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

Verse 1 speaks of the style of the righteous man’s life.

Wicked (ungodly) is a general term used to refer to the person who is out of touch with God. The righteous man does not take the advice of evil men for his guide. Such action might lead him to stand where sinners stand in regard to spiritual, moral, and ethical issues. The righteous man knows that if he seeks advice from those who are out of touch with God he puts himself in danger of losing touch with God.

Sinners is a term used to describe habitual offenders or those who have developed the habit of missing the mark and veering from the straight and narrow. It is a term used to describe those who have become established as strays or men who are out of touch with God. The righteous man does not loiter with habitual moral failures (see 1 Corinthians 15:33). He exercises caution in his associations with the ungodly realizing that he does not have to drink their wine to be a witness. His desire is to influence the ungodly rather than to be influenced by the ungodly.

Scoffers refers to those whose habit it is to treat with ridicule that which is holy and good and sacred. Scoffers criticize many things, but in particular, God’s people, God’s book, and God’s ways. Scoffers speak out of that which fills their heart (see Matthew 12:34). They are the most scandalous of sinners and, perhaps, the farthest from repentance.

The three complete phrases in verse 1 illustrate three degrees of departure from God by portraying conformity to this world at three different levels. First, accepting the advice of the world. Second, being a party to the ways of the world. Third, adopting the most fatal of the world’s attitudes. Notice also the progression: “walk. . .stand. . .sit” Evil grows. Sin may begin quite simply, but it always becomes more serious.

Practical Consideration: We should be careful about the company we keep.
Parents often warn their children to be careful about the company they keep. Parents do not want for their children to be influenced to do wrong by the wrong crowd. Children do not always heed the advice of their parents and consequently prove how right the advice of their parents was. God, too, warns us to exercise caution regarding the company we keep. He knows that we can be influenced to do wrong by the wrong crowd. Paul wrote, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals'” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

1:2   But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.

Verse 2 speaks of the staple of the righteous man’s life.

The law of the Lord is the righteous man’s diet. Law (torah) basically means direction or instruction. It can be confined to a single command, or can extend, as here, to Scripture as a whole. The law of the Lord stands opposed to the “counsel of the wicked” to which it is ultimately the only answer. The righteous man does not need the “counsel of the wicked” because he has something infinitely superior available to him, the law of the Lord. The righteous man does not loiter with the wicked because law of the Lord warns him of the danger in doing so. He does not adopt the attitude of the scoffers because God’s Word tells him how truly wonderful God is (see Psalm 119:38). The thing that makes the righteous different and distinctive from the wicked is his attitude toward God’s Word. The law of the Lord is a diet in which the righteous man delights. He enjoys it. It is also a diet on which he depends. He cannot live without it. He must meditate on it both day and night.

Practical Consideration: We should be diligent students of the Word of God.
The righteous man loves the law of the Lord (Psalm 119:97) and meditates on it both day and night (Psalm 1:2). He hides God’s Word in his heart (Psalm 119:11) and orders his life according to its teachings (Psalm 119:9). We must not be lazy or undisciplined in regard to the matter of Bible study. We should study, memorize, and meditate on God’s Word every day. Our daily lives will reflect the results of our study and understanding of God’s Word.

1:3   And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season,
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

Verse 3 speaks of the stability of the righteous man’s life.

The righteous man’s life is likened to a tree planted in close proximity to life-giving streams of water. His life is stable because he lives in close communion with the Lord. He is able to survive the difficulties of life because of his closeness to the Lord. The righteous man’s life is also productive and pleasant … it yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither.

Practical Consideration: We can go far if we stay close to the Lord.
The righteous man is like a tree firmly planted by streams of water. The righteous man is able to survive life’s scorching difficulties because of his closeness to the Lord. He can continue to be productive and pleasant through the kind of pains, problems, and pressures that immobilize and devastate others. His life and career is not cut short by life’s difficulties. The person who stays close to the Lord will go far.

1:4   The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.

Verse 4 speaks of the description of the wicked man’s life.

The wicked are those who are out of touch with God or who do not have a relationship with God. The phrase “are not so” declares that the wicked are not like the righteous. The difference between the wicked and the righteous is accentuated by the conjunction but. The wicked are likened to chaff, which is at the mercy of the wind. Chaff, unlike a tree firmly planted, is rootless and fruitless. Chaff is always at the mercy of the wind. It is unanchored. The life of the wicked is misspent. Because man was created to have fellowship with God and enjoy him forever, a life of anything less is a misspent life.

1:5   Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

Verse 5 speaks of the defenselessness of the wicked man’s life.

The wicked will have no defense before God in the day of judgment. Because the wicked choose to leave God out of their lives, they have absolutely no stability and will suffer collapse in the end. Sometimes the righteous are confused by the seemingly trouble-free life of the wicked. The psalmist was no exception. The writer of Psalm 73 wrote, “When I pondered to understand this, it was troublesome in my sight until I came into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end” (Ps. 73:16-17). The wicked may appear to be successful in life without God, but they will ultimately fail and fall.

Practical Consideration: We should stand with God or we will fall in the judgment.
The wicked are those who take a stand apart from God. They choose to leave God out of their lives. They live their lives without regard to God and His laws. They live their lives independent from God. They do not yield to the influence or guidance of God. In the day of judgment, however, they will have no defense. They will be unable to stand.

1:6   For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.

Verse 6 speaks of the destiny of the wicked man.

A man’s path determines his destiny. The wicked have chosen a course of life that ignores God and the things of God. The wicked man has chosen the broad way that leads to destruction (see Matthew 7:13). The word perish refers to a course that comes to nothing but ruin. Proverbs 14:12 warns, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” C.H. Spurgeon comments, “The righteous carves his name upon the rock, but the wicked writes his remembrance in the sand.”

Psalm 6

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For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith [term may refer to an eight-stringed instrument; on the eighth string of an instrument].
A psalm of David.

Note: This Psalm is the first of the seven Penitential Psalms (see also Ps. 32; 38; 51; 102;130; 142).

A. Prayer for God’s Favor

6:1 [David was aware that he needed to be rebuked but asked that it not be done in anger or at the hand of one incensed against him] Lord, do not rebuke [a form of judgment; we can and should learn the lessons God would have us to learn in such times] me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.

6:2 Have mercy [we deserve justice but need mercy] on me, Lord, for I am faint [a sign that strength and vigor is lacking]; heal me, Lord, for my bones [implies strength and fortitude; a metaphor for the psalmist’s deep depression] are in agony [Spurgeon noted: “not only did his flesh quiver, but the bones, the solid pillars of the house of manhood, were made to tremble.”].

6:3 My soul is in deep anguish [“Soul trouble is the very soul of trouble.” (Spurgeon)]. How long, Lord, how long [the Psalmist did not know how long his suffering would last; it is easy for us to feel forsaken in times of suffering; “God knoweth the convenient times both of our humiliation and exaltation.” (A. Symson)]?

B. Prayer for God’s Love

6:4 Turn [David now urgently asked God to do something for him], Lord, and deliver me [God alone can deliver us from deep depression and troubles]; save me because of your unfailing love [Heb. heseḏ].

6:5 Among the dead no one proclaims your name. Who praises you from the grave [cf. David’s complaint in Ps. 30:9]?

C. Need of God’s Love

6:6 I am worn out from my groaning [“God’s people may groan but they may not grumble.” (Spurgeon)]. [note the sincerity of David’s repentance…] All night long [the psalmist could not sleep; his troubles resulted in insomnia] I flood [hyperbolic expression; the psalmist was drowning in grief] my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.

6:7 [cf. the impact of sin on David’s body in Ps. 32:3-4] My eyes grow weak [this expression used three times in OT (Ps. 6:7; 31:9-10); failing eyesight was result of deep sorrow] with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.

D. Prayer for God’s Favor

6:8 Away from me, all you who do evil [“A pardoned sinner will hate the sins which cost the Savior His blood.” (Spurgeon)], for the Lord has heard my weeping [weeping speaks; “Weeping is the eloquence of sorrow. Let us learn to think of tears as liquid prayers…” (Spurgeon)].

6:9 The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.

6:10 All my enemies will be overwhelmed with [the psalmist’s enemies would be overwhelmed with the same fate they had brought on him…] shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

Outline of Job

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Part 1 • Presenting the Problem: Job’s Encounter with Satan (1:1 – 2:13)

A. Job’s Piety and Prosperity (1:1-5)

B. Satan’s First Challenge (1:6-22)

C. Satan’s Second Challenge (2:1-10)

D. The Arrival of Job’s Friends (2:11-13)

Part 2 • Seeking a Solution: Job’s Encounter with Men (3:1 – 37:24)

A. Introduction: Job Longs for Death (3:1-26)

1. Job Curses the Day of His Birth (3:1-10)

2. Job Wishes He Had Died at Birth (3:11-19)

3. Job Questions Why His Life Is Continued (3:20-26)

B. The Three Friends’ Solution to Job’s Problem (4:1 – 31:40)

1. The First Cycle of Speeches (4:1 – 14:22)

(1) The First Speech of Eliphaz (4:1 – 5:27)

(2) Job’s Reply to Eliphaz (6:1 – 7:21)

(3) The First Speech of Bildad (8:1-22)

(4) Job’s Answer to Bildad (9:1 – 10:22)

(5) The First Speech of Zophar (11:1-20)

(6) Job’s Reply to Zophar (12:1 – 14:22) 13

2. The Second Cycle of Speeches (15:1 – 21:34)

(1) The Second Speech of Eliphaz (15:1-35)

(2) Job’s Reply to Eliphaz (16:1 – 17:16)

(3) The Second Speech of Bildad (18:1-21)

(4) Job’s Reply to Bildad (19:1-29)

(5) The Second Speech of Zophar (21:1-29)

(6) Job’s Reply to Zophar (21:1-34)

3. The Third Cycle of Speeches (22:1 – 31:40)

(1) The Third Speech of Eliphaz (22:1-30)

(2) Job’s Reply to Eliphaz (23:1 – 24:25)

(3) Bildad’s Third Speech (25:1-6)

(4) Job’s Reply to Bildad (26:1 – 31:40)

C. Elihu’s Solution to Job’s Problem (32:1 – 37:24)

Part 3 • Arriving at the Answer: Job’s Encounter with God (38:1 – 42:6)

A. Jehovah’s First Words from the Whirlwind (38:1 – 40:2)

B. Job’s Reply (40:3-5)

C. Jehovah’s Final Words from the Whirlwind (40:6 – 41:34)

D. Job’s Reply (42:1-6)

Part 4 • Epilogue (42:7-17)

Overview of Daniel

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CHAPTER ONE — Daniel’s Training in Babylon
1:1-21 Daniel was among the first Jews to be exiled to Babylon in 605 BC by King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel, of noble birth, was probably a young man (teenager) at the time he was deported from Judah. Daniel and his friends were enrolled in a course to learn the language and literature of the Babylonians. Daniel determined not to defile himself with the royal food because, in all likelihood, it was food that had been offered to idols. Daniel proposed a diet of vegetables rather than compromise his beliefs.

Note: Like Daniel, our convictions should be based on God’s Word. When we are tested or tempted, we should stand firm rather than compromise our convictions.

CHAPTER TWO — Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream & Daniel’s Interpretation
2:1-49 King Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream which none of his “magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers” (v. 2) could interpret for him. This angered the king and he ordered the execution of “all the wise men of Babylon” (v. 12), including Daniel and his friends (v. 13). Daniel appealed to the king for time to interpret the dream (v. 16). He asked God to show him Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and the interpretation. God answered Daniel’s prayer. Daniel successfully interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and was rewarded and promoted to a high position in the king’s administration (v. 48).

Note: Like Daniel, we should pray and ask others to join us in prayer when we are dealing with difficult issues. And, we must be sure to praise God for His answer.

CHAPTER THREE — The Golden Image and Fiery Furnace
3:1-6 King Nebuchadnezzar made a colossal image of gold and ordered everyone in his kingdom to bow before the image or be thrown into a blazing fire.

3:7-23 Daniel’s friends (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) refused to bow before and worship the image and were thrown into a blazing furnace.

3:24-30 Daniel’s friends survived their fiery ordeal. They emerged unharmed from the furnace. Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged their God and issued a decree that any person who spoke against the God of Daniel’s friends be put to death.

Note: Like Daniel’s friends, we must be willing to do what is right, even if it means we must suffer for it. We must trust and obey God, whether the result of our obedience is triumph or tragedy.

CHAPTER FOUR — Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree
4:1-18 King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream about a great tree cut down to a stump. He asked Daniel (also referred to as Belteshazzar in v. 8) to interpret this dream for him.

4:19-27 Daniel interpreted the dream for the king. The great tree in the dream represented Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel cautioned that unless the king humbled himself before God, he would be cut down and reduced to the level of a beast for seven years.

4:28-37 Nebuchadnezzar boasted of his glory and was reduced to living like an animal for seven years (see also 5:20-21). “And at the end of the days” (v. 34), Nebuchadnezzar came to his senses and worshiped God.

Note: We must always keep in mind that God hates pride and arrogance (see Prov. 6:16-19).

CHAPTER FIVE — The Writing on the Wall
5:1-4 King Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson, profaned the articles of God’s temple at a great banquet.

5:5-12 A hand appeared and wrote a message on the wall. Frightened, the king called for his wise men to interpret the message but “his lords were astonied” (v. 9). The queen suggested the king send for Daniel, now more than 80 years old, to interpret the message (vv. 10-12).

5:13-30 Daniel interpreted the handwriting on the wall — spelling out Belshazzar’s death and the doom of the Babylonian empire. “That very night Belshazzar … was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom…” (v. 30).

Note: Belshazzar failed to learn from his grandfather’s experience (5:20-21). We must not forget the lessons learned and modeled by those in the past.

Note: God continued to use Daniel, even in his old age, because he lived a godly life. Like Daniel, we too should endeavor to live in a way that pleases God — for a lifetime.

CHAPTER SIX — Daniel in the Den of Lions
6:1-9 Darius gave Daniel great responsibility in his administration. The other government officials, motivated by jealousy and a hunger for power, devised a way to entrap Daniel. They talked Darius into issuing a decree making it illegal for anyone in the kingdom to pray to anyone other than the king. Violators were to be thrown into the lion’s den.

6:10-28 Daniel continued to pray to God three times a day. Reluctantly, the king had Daniel thrown into the lion’s den. God shut the mouths of the lions and protected Daniel. Daniel’s accusers were then thrown into the lion’s den and the king issued a decree that the people of the kingdom “tremble and fear before the God of Daniel” (v. 26).

Note: Daniel continued to kneel in prayer before God rather than before the king. Like Daniel, we must remember that our convictions are in our knees.

CHAPTER SEVEN — Daniel’s Dream of Four Beasts
7:1-14 Daniel recorded his dream about four animals, a winged lion (v. 4), a bear (v. 5), a leopard with four heads (v. 6), and a beast with ten horns (v. 7). These beasts correlate with the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed about years earlier (see chapter 2).

7:15-28 Each beast represented a kingdom. The terrible fourth beast represents the anti-Christ (see 1 John 2:18; 2 Thess. 2:3; and Rev. 13:1). Daniel was assured that the fourth kingdom would come to an end and be replaced by God’s everlasting kingdom.

Note: Daniel’s dream assures us that God is in control of history. The God who knows what will happen tomorrow can certainly help us make it through today!

CHAPTER EIGHT — Daniel’s Vision of a Ram and a Goat
8:1-14 Daniel recorded a second vision he had while in the royal city of Susa, 350 miles east of Babylon. In his vision he saw a powerful ram with two horns. In his vision a mighty goat with “a notable horn between his eyes” (v. 5) challenged and defeated the ram.

8:15-28 An angelic messenger named Gabriel interpreted the dream for Daniel (v. 16). He explained that the two-horned ram represented the kings of Media and Persia and the goat represented the king of Greece. Daniel’s vision described persons and events that would occur several centuries after Daniel’s lifetime and also foreshadow events to occur in the last days.

Note: The fulfillment of prophecy should give us greater confidence in the truth and reliability of God’s Word. The fulfillment of prophecy should also motivate us to share the good news with those who have yet to hear it.

CHAPTER NINE — Daniel’s Prayer
9:1-17 Daniel read the “word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet” (v. 2 NIV) and understood that the seventy year period of captivity was coming to an end. Daniel therefore prayed on behalf of the Jewish people. He confessed his sin and that of the people and asked God to forgive them and rescue them from their plight. He asked God to restore Israel and Jerusalem for His sake and glory (vv. 17-19).

9:18-27 While Daniel was praying, God sent Gabriel to give him “skill [insight] and understanding” (v. 22). God revealed several future events to Daniel — Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Crucifixion, and more.

Note: Daniel served in high government positions and was, undoubtedly, a busy man. However, Daniel found time to read God’s Word and to pray. What about us?

CHAPTER TEN — Daniel’s Vision of a Man
10:1-3 Daniel had a disturbing vision of the terrible times that lay ahead for his people — a great war. This vision was very disturbing to Daniel who was happy that many of his people were returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the city.

10:4-21 After a three week period of fasting and mourning, Daniel had a vision of a supernatural being near the Tigris River. Some scholars believe this was a theophany —  an Old Testament manifestation of Jesus Christ. At this point, a heavenly messenger appeared to explain to Daniel what would happen to his people in the future (v. 14). The messenger explained that he had been delayed twenty-one days because of resistance by the king of Persia (v. 13). Michael, the archangel, had to assist this heavenly messenger in his fight with demonic forces.

Note: Read Ephesians 6:11-12

CHAPTER ELEVEN — The Angel’s Message
11:1-45 The angel that appeared to Daniel in chapter 10 shared detailed predictions with Daniel about wars between Medo-Persia (v. 2) and Greece (v. 3) and Egypt and Syria (vv. 4-35). These events also foreshadow events that are still to come — the Antichrist (vv. 36-39) and his defeat (vv. 40-45).

Note: Knowing that the end is coming should motivate us to live godly lives and to spread the good news about Jesus Christ.

CHAPTER TWELVE — The End Times
12:1-13 The angel concluded his prophecy with hope. Michael will defend the Jews. Those who place their faith in Christ during the period of tribulation described in these verses will be preserved.

Note: God is in control of history.

Bibliography | Job

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Archer, Gleason L.
The Book of Job: God’s Answer to the Problem of Undeserved Suffering
Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1982.
Note: This is an excellent work written by Dr. Archer after the death of his young Pastor in Chicago.

Bennet, T. Miles
When Human Wisdom Fails: An Exposition of the Book of Job
Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1971.
Note: I used Bennet’s excellent outline of the book of Job to guide my personal study of the book.

Lawson, Steven J.
When All Hell Breaks Loose: You May Be Doing Something Right
Colorado Springs, Colorado: NavPress, 1993.
Note: This is an excellent book. Written in a no-nonsense devotional style. A very practical look at Job.

O’Chester, Harold
Why Me Lord?: When Trouble Comes To God’s People
Austin
Note: O’Chester writes with conviction. He lost his pregnant wife, son, and daughter in an automobile accident when he was a young Pastor in Mississippi. He was the sole survivor of the accident.
 
Robinson, Thomas
The Book of Job
The Preacher’s Homiletic Commentary
New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

Smick, Elmer B.
Job
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary
Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1988.

Life Lessons From Job

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1. Remember that God is sovereign.
Satan could do no more to Job than God allowed. Regardless of what may touch our lives, God is in control. Regardless of appearances to the contrary, God is in control. Never doubt that, even if you don’t understand how!

2. Remember that God’s ways are beyond ours.
God’s wisdom is infinite. God’s vantage point is eternal. He is moved by considerations far beyond the scope of our comprehension. Trying to pour His wisdom into our minds would be like trying to pour the ocean into a Dixie cup. Whenever we do not understand why God is allowing us to be afflicted, we must trust Him fully. He knows what is best for our benefit and for His glory. Give God the benefit of the doubt!

3. Allow yourself to grieve.
The Bible never instructs us to be stoic when our lives are touched by afflictions. We can grieve when our lives are touched by tragic circumstances. We can weep. God understands tears.

4. Ask God for the wisdom to filter the advice others give you.
Job’s friends were eager to give him theological advice. In the process, they misrepresented God and injured the very person they were trying to help. Be careful lest the advice others are eager to give you serve to demoralize you and weaken your faith.

5. Don’t allow circumstances to obscure your view of God.
It is easy to allow the clouds of trouble and affliction to obscure our view of God. It is easy to believe what we feel about God rather than what we know about God when our lives are torn apart by things or happenings which we do not understand.

6. Take inventory of your life.
It is usually in times of affliction that we are the most open to evaluation. In the good times we tend to celebrate while in the bad times we tend to evaluate. It is good to take personal inventory of our lives with a view toward eliminating anything displeasing to God.

7. Look to God for wisdom.
Look to God for wisdom in times of difficulty. Human wisdom fails. God’s wisdom, contained in His Word, can give us the hope and perspective we need to hang in, hang on, and come through.

8. Remember that God is able.
There is absolutely nothing that can touch our lives apart from God’s knowledge. God is not surprised or baffled by anything that touches our lives. We must always remember that He is bigger than anything that touches our lives. He is better equipped to deal with anything that touches our lives. And, He knows exactly what to do with everything that touches our lives.

9. We will understand it better by and by.
We will not always understand why God has allowed certain things to touch our lives. But, one day God will make it all clear. “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part,” wrote Paul, “but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). In the words of the old Gospel song, “We will understand it better by and by.”

10. We should love and serve God, anyway!
Satan’s assertion was that man serves God only because of the personal benefits he receives. Satan posited that man serves God only because of the blessings he receives. “Remove those blessings,” said Satan, “and a man’s fabric of devotion will quickly unravel.” The book of Job teaches us that God is worthy of our love and devotion, even apart from His blessings to us.

Why Study Ezra and Nehemiah?

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In his second letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul wrote, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17).

The “all” of II Timothy 3:16 certainly includes the Old Testament historical book Nehemiah, a book that does not often find a place in either our family or personal devotionals. After all, reading about the struggle of the Jews to rebuild the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem seems to lack the drama of the Exodus, the thrill of David and Goliath, or the pathos of the Passion of Christ.

Yet, as Scripture inspired by God, this book makes a significant contribution to our understanding of God’s bigger picture. Listed below are some of the contributions that this book makes:

A Historical Contribution
Ezra and Nehemiah record the last events of Old Testament history after the book of 2 Chronicles and prior to the “400 Silent Years” before the coming of Christ, so called because no book of the Bible was written during this time. Without the books of Ezra and Nehemiah there would be a significant void in Hebrew history.

A Doctrinal Contribution
These books reveal much about God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises to His people. They teach of God’s providence by relating how God preserved His people through the Babylonian captivity and ordered international events to insure the restoration of His people to their homeland.

An Understanding of Satan’s Schemes
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 2:11, “for we are not ignorant of [Satan’s] schemes.” The books of Ezra and Nehemiah contribute to our understanding of Satan’s schemes by showing how he tried to discourage and demoralize God’s people when they were trying to rebuild both the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem. These books teach us how we can deal with opposition, slander, threats, and mockery when we are trying to faithfully serve God.

An Understanding of Personal Holiness
The books of Ezra and Nehemiah make a contribution to our understanding of personal holiness. They teach us the importance and necessity of God’s people being separated from sin and forsaking sinful practices. It addresses the matter of unfaithfulness to the Lord and how to live a life that pleases God. These books also deal with the importance of prayer in our lives.

An Understanding of the Importance of Bible Study
Ezra was instrumental in reviving the people’s interest in God’s Word. In Ezra 7:10 we read, “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.” Ezra loved God’s Word and loved to teach others God’s Word. In fact, some scholars believe that Ezra wrote Psalm 119, the great Psalm about the Word of God. Both Ezra and Nehemiah were men who had a passion for God’s Word and for obeying God’s Word regardless of the consequences.

An Understanding of Godly Leadership
Without question, Ezra and Nehemiah were two of the most outstanding leaders in the Old Testament. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah are filled with inspiring and challenging lessons for all who are leaders or aspire to serve in a leadership role. They teach such leadership lessons as goal setting, organizing, delegating, motivating, evaluating, administration, dealing with difficult people, and much more. These books make a significant contribution to our understanding of the dynamics of godly and effective leadership.

So, why study the books of Ezra and Nehemiah? Because studying these books will…

• help us to better understand Biblical history and put Biblical events into perspective. A study of these books will help us to see more of the bigger picture of Scripture.

• help us to better understand the ways of God and the schemes of Satan. A study of these books will help us to understand how to trust God through difficulties and how to stand firm in the face of opposition.

• challenge us to live holy lives and become people who love and obey God’s Word. A study of these books will challenge us to leave the comfort of lukewarm Christianity.

• help us to learn how to become better leaders and servants in God’s work. A study of these books will help us to learn how to be leaders and how to support our leaders.