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 Nehemiah 1-7 New Book, Old Construction

Nehemiah 1-7

We get yet another account of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.   This one is again devoid of the LORD and therefore devoid of killing!  Make for easier reading by us Atheists!

There is a certain sense of paranoia in this writing, and not without cause.When the Jews start rebuilding the city, the neighboring kingdoms get a little worried, perhaps remembering the past bloodshed brought on by the children of Israel in their bid to claim the promised land.  Is another war just around the corner?

Chapter 7 seems to be full of contradictions with the accounts of Ezra.  I'm sure an apologist can explain why the inspired word of God (as recorded by man) can't keep census numbers straight or do simple addition.

2 Chronicles 32-36 And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars

2 Chronicles 32-36

We made it thru Chronicles with nary a scratch!  Commenting as dropped off quite a bit but I expected that since we're basically rereading Kings.

Good news thou, we start fresh material this weekend!  Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther are all nice and short books so we'll finish all three in one week!