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Ezra 10 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. Romans 2ContinueContinue reading “Ezra 10 Commentary”

Ezra 9 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com There is more at play when the saint decides to marry the Canaanite. One must first delete the dividing lines. One must first conclude that there is no difference between me and the potential Canaanite spouse. Israel is exactly in this position once again. God’s people have not kept themselves separateContinueContinue reading “Ezra 9 Commentary”

Ezra 8 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com The Bible has an obsession with lists and genealogies. It’s for good reasons. The people in exile needed to remain separate. Blood relations provided physical barriers between the community of God’s people and others.We can see Ezra singling out Levites for selection to serve at the temple of the LORD. ItContinueContinue reading “Ezra 8 Commentary”

Ezra 7 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com Third Kings? It won’t be a bad title for the Book of Ezra. This book is as much about the goodwill of foreign kings as it is about the heroism of Israel’s nation-builders. While many kings of Israel promoted evil and persecuted the servants of the LORD, here we see theContinueContinue reading “Ezra 7 Commentary”

Ezra 6 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com “Who authorized you,” Tettenai had asked. Israel’s response to this question was reported at length in Tettenai’s letter to emperor Darius. It wasn’t exactly like he believed Israel but you guess he hoped Israel’s outrageous response would shock Darius into a no-look decision to halt Israel.Tettenai’s letter was read and aContinueContinue reading “Ezra 6 Commentary”

Ezra 5 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com Two prominent post-exile prophets, Haggai and Zechariah step up to encourage the reconstruction effort. The two prophetic books bearing their names have details on their respective work. It is the function of the pulpit to encourage the saints to provide a suitable dwelling place for their God. And here the remnantContinueContinue reading “Ezra 5 Commentary”

Ezra 4 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com It can be a moment of pride when the LORD lets you hear the enemy talk about your privileged position. Of course, the enemy is hurting inside and very envious. Their fear of you drives them to hate. Unfortunately for Israel, this is all in the past. Yes, there was aContinueContinue reading “Ezra 4 Commentary”

Judges 21 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com The Book of Judges winds down with chapter 21, and with the statement that has been used repeatedly in the closing chapters of the Book of Judges: In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit. The presence of a king means people would live by rules.ContinueContinue reading “Judges 21 Commentary”

Judges 20 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com 400,000 men armed with weapons of war assembled at Mizpah. Mission? Punish the perpetrators of extreme wickedness of chapter 19 at Gibeah. Everyone is in apart from Benjamin, who actually refuses to surrender the wicked men of Gibeah. Civil war ensues.This type of wickedness deserved the kind is punishment that IsraelContinueContinue reading “Judges 20 Commentary”

Judges 19 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com This chapter records a horrifying incident that would make the Sodomites envious. You don’t want to read it twice. Man without the King is a complete mess. Since Israel really doesn’t want the LORD as her King, the LORD would allow Israel to install a king. The human kingship doesn’t exactlyContinueContinue reading “Judges 19 Commentary”