In the Word: Ezra 4:1-24 - "Laying The Foundation - Part 2"

Ezra 4 New International Version Opposition to the Rebuilding 4 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, “Let us help you build because, like you, we se…

In The Word: Ezra 3:10-4:3 - "Laying The Foundation - Part 2"

Ezra 3:10-4:3 New International Version 10 When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the Lord, as prescribed by David king of Israel. 11 With prais…

In the Word: Ezra 2:20-70 - "Laying The Foundation"

Ezra 2:20-70 New International Version 20 of Gibbar9521 the men of Bethlehem12322 of Netophah5623 of Anathoth12824 of Azmaveth4225 of Kiriath Jearim,[a] Kephirah and Beeroth74326 of Ramah and Geba62127 of Mikmash12228 of Bethel and Ai22329 of Nebo5230 of Magbish15631 of the other Elam1,25432 of Ha…

In the Word: Ezra 2:1-29 - "Laying The Foundation"

Ezra 2:1-29 New International Version The List of the Exiles Who Returned 2 Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken captive to Babylon (they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to their own town, 2 in c…

In the Word: Ezra 1:4-11 - "God's Good Hand"

Ezra 1:4-11 New International Version 4 And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’” 5 Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the pr…

In the Word: Ezra 1:1-4 - "God's Good Hand"

Ezra 1:1-4 New International Version  Cyrus Helps the Exiles to Return 1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writi…

In The Word: 2 Chronicles 36:17-23 - "The Path Forward"

2 Chronicles 36:17-23New International Version 17 He brought up against them the king of the Babylonians,[a] who killed their young men with the sword in the sanctuary, and did not spare young men or young women, the elderly or the infirm. God gave them all into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. 18 He …

In The Word: 2 Chronicles 36:14-21 - "The Path Forward"

2 Chronicles 36:14-21 New International Version 14 Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful, following all the detestable practices of the nations and defiling the temple of the Lord, which he had consecrated in Jerusalem. The Fall of Jerusalem 1…

In the Word: 2 Chronicles 36:9-13 - "Four Bad Kings"

2 Chronicles 36:9-13 New International Version Jehoiachin King of Judah 9 Jehoiachin was eighteen[a] years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. 10 In the spring, King Nebuchadnezzar sent for him and brought him to Bab…

In The Word: 2 Chronicles 36:1-12 - "Four Bad Kings"

2 Chronicles 36:1-12 New International Version 36 1 And the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and made him king in Jerusalem in place of his father. Jehoahaz King of Judah 2 Jehoahaz[a] was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. 3 The k…