Book of Nehemiah 8-13

Nehemiah 8-13

Nothing like ANOTHER recap from a people separated by several centuries.  Again I ponder how long the Bible would be if they cut out the redundancy.  And don't get me started on the naming and the counting.

Several times through out the last two books, 'strange wives' are mentioned, meaning that the Israelites are marrying women from other tribes/countries.  Ezra and Nehemiah reflect on the Chosen People turning away from God and the sins committed but they keep coming back to the 'strange wives' as the big problem.
It reminds me of todays Christian politicians blaming the gays and the horror of gay marriage as causing the fall of America.

The more things change...


 

Book of Ezra 6-10

Ezra 6-10

A first person account!!!  I think this is a first for the Bible.  For me, it adds a feel of historical truthiness.

We learn more about the return to Jerusalem.  Ezra reports on a group of men trying to get back to the good old days (of God not killing them) and their efforts to follow the laws of Moses and practices of Aaron.

Strange wives could be a deal breaker so Ezra tells the men to send the unfit wives and children off to (die in the desert?).

This book seems to be written like an actual historical account.  I think it's because God, the LORD has no presence in it except for a people trying to get back on the good side of an absent deity.

What do you think?

Book of Ezra 1-5 for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel

Book of Ezra 1-5

People move back to Jerusalem and try to get God to like them again.

After all the violence in the previous books, it's nice to read a few chapters where the LORD has no input.

I like the names Artaxerxes and Asnapper