Old Line Elephant Maryland Conservative Blog

On Nehemiah and Esther

I finished reading both Nehemiah and Esther a while ago on my run through the Bible. I just have a few comments on the two books.

Nehemiah and Ezra are sister books. They each tell you about the rebuilding of Jerusalem from different perspectives. Ezra was the religious leader, Nehemiah the political leader. There's a lot of detail here that is great to learn about, very informative. There's also a number of interesting situations where Nehemiah's leadership is displayed - where he protects the poor, where he and Ezra re-institute Mosaic law. I do not have much else to say about Nehemiah.

Esther is an interesting book. Esther is the story of a Jewish girl who became Queen of Persia. In her role as Queen of Persia she saves the Jewish people from a conspiracy to kill them by the King's second in command, Naman. What's interesting about Esther is we see the Lord's work in a different way. From Genesis through Joshua, we see the Lord raising cities, parting waters, and creating plagues to destroy the firstborn of a nation. From Judges through Chronicles we see the Lord drop fire from Heaven and destroy entire oncoming armies with single individuals. In Esther, we see the Lord working in a different way. We see a subtle Lord.

The Lord could have smote Naman right away. He could have destroyed with a nod the man who was planning to destroy the Israelites. He didn't. Instead, the Lord placed Esther right where she needed to be. He provided her with the skills, the calm, and the right ideas to comfort the King and help him see the truth. He gave her courage. He provided her with what she needed in this situation.

That's how I've seen Him work in my life. The Lord comforts me in need. He provides me strength when I need it most. He provides me insight when I need it most. The Lord provides.

Is this how you see Him work in your life? Do you see Him providing you what you need? I do.

I am continuing to read through the Bible. Currently in the middle of Job and I ask you to join me. Start from the beginning - read the Bible cover to cover. You will be glad you did.