The Bible repeatedly encourages us to mold our character and lifestyle into those that reflect the Lord Jesus. To do so requires that we maintain a Biblical worldview and to remain devoted to the commands of Christ. As we grow in our faith and consistently demonstrate a purity of heart, we become empowered by the Holy Spirit; God shows us favor which is a privilege of Kings.
In the ancient Middle East, the skin ailment of leprosy often disfigured the patient. It also produced a social stigma that required the individual to tear their clothes and shout “Unclean, unclean” when in public. In 2 Kings chapter 5, the Bible records a vivid story about Naaman, a well-respected Syrian military leader afflicted with this disease. He visited Elisha, the mighty Israeli prophet, in search of his healing powers.
When the U.S. Supreme Court reviews a case, the judges deliberate the merits of the arguments through the lens of our Constitution. Some jurists attempt to discern the “original intent” of our founding fathers while others allow for fresh interpretation. Whether we agree with the decision or not, the Court uses its best judgment to ascertain the legitimacy of governmental laws in light of constitutional requirements.
Mankind has an insatiable hunger for discovery. We delight in scientific and technological advances. The microchip has democratized access to information in the last few decades, ushering in a revolution unseen since Gutenberg in the 1430s. Concepts may now be conceived, tested, revised, discarded and implemented in hours and days. Our world now operates nearly at the speed of thought.
Jesus did us a big favor. He declared heaven’s highest priority in this single sentence. It’s a compelling idea, buried in His inaugural sermon. The mysterious language seems lofty and dreamy – one of those grand, lovable passages of Scripture where everyone nods and quietly says, “Amen!” On the surface, it seems to point us to earthly good works leading to a place of eternal rest in God’s distant Kingdom. But, is that what it really promises?
When God intervenes in the affairs of men, He draws their attention, sometimes quietly but occasionally with high drama. On the day when He summoned Moses to a legendary assignment at Pharaoh’s court, the Lord started a brush fire in the middle of the desert. That’s a clever way to start a conversation!
Jesus opened His first recorded public address with these words: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 5:3 In the original Aramaic language, the word “poor” carries the strongest possible meaning, describing an abject, penniless poverty. Think of the most disenfranchised refugee, living without food, shelter or anything of value.
Of all the options one has for opening an important new book of the Bible, why start by telling us the month and year when it occurred? At first, it seems quite boring. As a reminder, here’s the very first verse of Nehemiah chapter 1: “It came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year…” Nehemiah 1:1a Sorry, but at first, I’m surprised and frankly a bit annoyed at this trivia. Where’s the political intrigue? Tell me about the plots against Nehemiah’s life! How does he negotiate for supplies with the king?
From its opening moments, set in the Persian palace fifteen centuries ago, the story of Nehemiah immerses us in a tragic tale. The visitors from Judah finish their report by describing the terrible conditions in Jerusalem:
Roughly 2,500 years ago, a Jewish exile named Nehemiah, working in a Persian palace, received several visitors from his homeland of Judah. Although that country had been ransacked decades earlier, the Lord allowed a few thousand Jews to remain. In the first chapter of this story, these visitors described to Nehemiah the relentless, miserable living conditions of those still living in Jerusalem. Let’s listen to their heartbreaking report — shown in the first three verses:
