This week we finish up the history of the kings of Judah to the time of exile, with the final chapters of II Chronicles. There are just three history books left before turning to the books of poetry. And actually the books of Ezra and Nehemiah used to be one book in the Hebrew Bible before being separated. Both of the books deal with the return of the Israelites from captivity in Babylon.
Next, we move to The Book of Ezra. This book consists of ten chapters. Chapters 1-6 cover the period from the decree of Cyrus the Great allowing the first return of exiles (about 538BC) to the completion and dedication of the new temple in Jerusalem (about 515BC). This part of the book is largely told in third person, as if someone is retelling what has been told to them. But chapters 7-10 are largely told in third person (presumably by Ezra himself), dealing with his mission to Jerusalem (about 465BC) and his struggle to purify the Jews from their inter-marriage with non-Jews.
Here is the schedule:
10, Sunday: II Chronicles 14-17
11, Monday: II Chronicles 18-21
12, Tuesday: II Chronicles 22-25
13, Wednesday: II Chronicles 26-29
14, Thursday: II Chronicles 30-33
15, Friday: II Chronicles 34-36; Ezra 1
16, Saturday: Ezra 2-5
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His Holy Word. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment