Romans 2. The Apostle Paul pointed out that you have no excuse, God’s judgement is righteous, Jews and Gentiles are equally guilty, and circumcision is of no avail.
Nehemiah 9. The people did confess their sins and recited Israel’s miraculous history.
Nehemiah 10 lists the people who sealed the covenant and its content.
Romans 1:18-32 The Apostle Paul explained how the wrath of God was to come on mankind because they “changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator.”
Nehemiah 6. There arose a conspiracy against Nehemiah, but he was on to them and managed to get the wall completed.
Nehemiah 7. Finally the wall was finished, and the chapter gives a list of the captives who returned to Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 8. Ezra read the Law and the returnees celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles.
Romans 1:1-17 starts with an eloquent greeting to all in Rome, and it is just as valid for us today as it was then. The Apostle Paul longed to visit Rome and impart scriptural spiritual wisdom, such as “the Just shall live by Faith.”
Nehemiah 4. Through strong opposition the building of the wall was defended.
Nehemiah 5. Nehemiah encountered oppression but showed great generosity.
Psalm 54 , of David. A short prayer with conviction that God is David’s helper.
Acts 28 records thr Apostle Paul’s ministry on Malta and his final sailing to Rome. After Paul arrived in Rome it tells of Paul’s ministry there, and he stayed in Rome freely proclaiming the gospel for two full years.
Nehemiah 1 records Nehemiah’s prayer.
Nehemiah 2. After some days of praying Nehemiah went to King Artaxerxes, told the King why he was sad and was sent to Judah where he viewed the wall of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 3 retells the start of rebuilding the wall.
Acts 27:13-44. Against better advice from God via Paul the captain and Centurion ignored Paul’s warning, and sure enough a great storm grew up and they were shipwrecked on Malta, but all got safely ashore.
Proverbs 9 contrasts the way of wisdom with the way of folly.
Psalm 51, of David, written after Nathan confronted David after his adultery with Bathsheba. This Psalm explains fully, how God would say, after David was pointed out to be both an adulterer and a murderer: “He was a man after God’s own heart”.
Psalm 52, of David. The Psalm is a contemplation of David, contrasting the final end of evil men with the rewards of the righteous.
Psalm 53. This is a short Psalm telling about fools that say “No God”
Acts 27:1-12 starts with the Apostle Paul’s voyage to Rome, how the winds were contrary and made the journey last into the stormy season. Paul’s warning was ignored, so the ship sailed on.
Ezra 8 starts with a list of the heads of families who returned with Ezra. Ezra separated twelve priests to be temple servants and led in fasting and prayer for protection. The people came with gifts for the temple as they returned to Jerusalem.
Ezra 9. Ezra prayed about Intermarriage with pagans and called it a sin according to the Law.
Ezra 10. The returning exiles made confession of improper marriages, and their pagan wives were put away.
Acts 26. The Apostle Paul gave his testimony, recounted his early life, his conversion and his life as a Christian. Festus shouted “Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad” but Agrippa said “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”
Ezra 5. The restoration of the Temple resumed.
Ezra 6 records the Decree of Darius and the Temple’s completion and dedication, after which the Passover was celebrated.
Ezra 7. Finally Ezra arrived in Jerusalem and the letter from Artaxerxes to Ezra is recorded .
Acts 25. The Apostle Paul stood trial before Festus, and Festus found that the charges were all religious, so he suggested sending Paul to Jerusalem, but Paul Appealed to Caesar. To finalize the charges Paul then went before King Agrippa and client Queen Bernice (Festus could find nothing chargeable according to Roman Law on his own).
Ezra 1 begins with the end of the Babylonian captivity and Cyrus decree to rebuild the Temple. The people prepared to return to Jerusalem.
Ezra 2 lists the captives who returned to Jerusalem.
Ezra 3. Worship was restored in Jerusalem and the restoration of the Temple began to great rejoicing, but also weeping.
Ezra 4. The resistance to building the Temple was great, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem was successfully opposed (for a while).
Acts 24. The Apostle Paul was on trial before Felix. He put up a vigorous defense, but at no avail. Felix adjourned the trial until Lysias would come back. Two years passed and Felix kept Paul in prison, hoping for a bribe so he could release him. None came and Felix was replaced by Justus, but Paul was still kept in prison past the time allowed, in order to keep the Jews pacified.
Proverbs 8 praises the excellence of Wisdom.
Psalm 49, of the Sons of Korah. This psalm is more of a teaching Psalm and give instruction on how to live and gives hope of salvation “But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave,For He shall receive me”
Psalm 50, of Asaph. God says: “for every animal of the forest is mine,
and the cattle on a thousand hills.” and “Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
fulfill your vows to the Most High,
and call on me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
Acts 23. The Apostle Paul gave his message in Jerusalem before the Sanhedrin, which led to the plot to kill Paul. Paul was then sent to Felix under heavy guard.
2 Chronicles 34. King Josiah tore down the altars to the idols, but not before he had their priests killed and burned. Then he took up offerings to restore the temple. Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law. Josiah then restored the temple and the temple worship and the people followed as long as Josiah lived.
2 Chronicles 35. Josiah celebrated Passover lavishly but after that he foolishly engaged king Neco of Egypt, who intended to fight somebody else. The result was that Josiah died in battle. One of the mourners was the Prophet Jeremiah who then wrote the book of Lamentations as a result.
2 Chronicles 36 tells a sad story, the reign and captivity of Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin. Zedekiah was granted king by Nebuchadnezzar but rebelled. This led to the fall of Jerusalem and seventy years of captivity. 2 Chronicles ends with Cyrus’ Proclamation.
Len Bilén's blog, a blog about faith, politics and the environment. 