 We begin a new series in the book of Nehemiah. It will be a great look at how God renovated, rebuilt, renewed and revived his "church" in the fifth century BC. I am praying that God will use this series to captivate our hearts and move our relationships with Jesus and one another from good to great.
From January 15 until April 2, we will spend 12 weeks in Nehemiah. To get the best flavor for this period in biblical history, you can read the Scriptures 30 minutes a week as follows:
Week 1 to Jan 21: Jeremiah 29:1-23, Ezra 1-3, Psalm 137, Nehemiah 1-2
Week 2 to Jan 28: Ezra 4-6, Nehemiah 3
Week 3 to Feb 4: Haggai, Nehemiah 4
Week 4 to Feb 11: Zechariah 1-7, Nehemiah 5
Week 5 to Feb 18: Zechariah 8-14, Nehemiah 6-7
Week 6 to Feb 25: Esther 1-5, Nehemiah 8
Week 7 to Mar 4: Esther 6-10, Nehemiah 9
Week 8 to Mar 11: Ezra 7-10, Nehemiah 10-11
Week 9 to Mar 18: Nehemiah 12-13, Psalm 126
Week 10 to Mar 25: Acts 1-3, Revelation 1:1-18
Week 11 to April 1: Acts 4-6, Revelation 1:19 - 3:22 Some history notes to help us keep track of key events:
1. Jeremiah prophesied from approximately 627 BC to 586 BC - in Chapter 29, he calls for an exile of 70 years as a punishment for national disobedience 2. The Babylonians began to exile the Judeans in 597BC, and destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC. 3. The Persians defeated the Babylonians and in 538 BC, King Cyrus decreed that the people return and the temple be rebuilt. (See 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Ezra 1:1-4) 4. The first Jews to return under Zerubbabel did so in 538 BC. 5. Haggai and Zechariah prophesied in 520-518 BC, and the temple foundation was at least partially and temporarily rebuilt in 516 BC (70 years from its destruction) 6. Esther is dated between 483 and 473 BC. She no doubt influenced the queen from Nehemiah chapter 2. 7. Ezra came to Jerusalem in approximately 458 BC to begin reforms, but is thwarted. 8. Malachi prophesies between 450 and 430 BC. 9. Nehemiah comes in 445-4 BC and serves as governor for 12 years to
433-2 BC. |
