Where would we be without Ezra? Would the Torah ever actually be written down? Would it be written in a way that was difficult to read and interpret, or possibly in an even easier way to understand? If Ezra actually came after Nehemiah, would that completely shake our theories and understanding of the prophets and the books for the last several hundred years?
The Psalms are some of my favorite pieces of literature ever written. I loved to read growing up, but I could never bring myself to sit down and have a ‘quiet time.’ I thought too that the best way to connect with God would be to start reading a book and just keep on reading it until I was done. By the grace of God, this was partially true, as I began to read the Psalms. As a sophomore in high school I began to read Psalm 1 one night and its honest and heartfelt words drew me in. Over the next 150 days I read all 150 Psalms- 1 a night (and yes I stayed up late the night I read Psalm 119). It was over the course of the next 150 days that I fell in love with reading the Bible.
To this day though there are certain Psalms that I really enjoy. For example, Psalm 25 has always been one of my favorites. Psalm 27:13-14 says, “I believe that I will look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” This passage has spoken to me over and over as I have needed encouragement. There have been many times that I have needed to be patient with God and have needed to take courage in him.
I love the honesty and brokenness that the Psalms convey as well. Psalm 51 has been one of my favorites to turn to when I know that I have deeply grieved God’s heart and need to repent. The heartfelt confession and repentance of David have been a great reminder in my life of what that looks life and have many times been the voice of my prayers. The humility and desperation found in other Psalms has been a theme that I have latched onto many times.
On the other hand, the majestic acts of the Lord prod me to worship Him as I read the Psalms. God in the Psalms is a God who forgives, a God who gives life, and a God who deserves our praise. The words of the psalmist have many times been the praises that I have said or sung. For example. In Psalm 115 David writes, “not to us O Lord, but to your name be glory.” The Lord is one who has power over Creation, he saved the people of Israel, and He formed me in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139). How great is His name and He is worthy of all praise!
The comfort found in Psalms such as Psalm 57 has also been another helpful tool found in the Psalms. God is seen as a God who cares for his people and his compassionate. He is a rock, a fortress, a protector, a provider, and a Savior. I love that He is the one who delivers from the enemy and the one who listens. The psalmist’s desperation in crying out to God though in a time of need has been my prayer many times as well as I have needed comfort. The Lord’s steadfast love has been the answer to this question as the psalmist records.
I love the passion the psalmist conveys for the Word of God as well. He respects and diligently studies who God is and asks the Lord for wisdom and guidance. This has been a necessary prayer of mine for all of my life. I need to be reminded of who I am and who God is.
At the end of the day I must end how the Psalms end (Psalm 150):
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
I found Ez 9:12 very difficult to grasp. I can see some of the concern of protecting the remnant culture, but injunctions for exclusivism and against interracial marriages always make me feel like people are being taught to put barriers up around those who are like “us” and look down on “them” because they are different. It is hard to see how this serves the overall goal of expanding the loving kingdom of the God who created all. This verse pushing dualistic dehumanization even further. I can understand that they were a small minority in a massive empire. It was important for them to remain distinctive faithfulness and not just blend into the oblivion of the surrounding cultures, but need it go so far as to advise people that they should “never seek their peace?”
I found the passage about the community’s emotional response to the restored foundation of the Temple (Ez. 3:11-13) to be particularly moving. It is also interesting as a foil to Neh. 8:9-10.
I have to laugh sometimes when reading stories in the bible. Genesis 34 is one of those stories.
I grew up poor. So poor that we were actually po, because we could not afford the extra “r” and “o”. We used to go get the free immunizations offered by the state, where everyone would show up on a certain day and stand in line to get their children shots. I remember the terror that was present as you watched the kid in front of you get the shot and scream his head off. You knew you were next and it was a fearful experience. Then I read how Hamor and his father talked the men of the city into being circumcised. They all lined up for this, and I can only imagine the thought of the guy who watched the man in front go through that “procedure”. That would be a line I might not go in as a grown adult man.
No wonder why two men were able to take out an entire city, the other guys weren’t in the fighting mood. It was probably welcomed relief.
Hi there. I’m Laurel and am originally from Houston. I have a lifelong home in Baptist churches, but have been involved in interdenominational and interfaith circles as well. I’ve recently left my position on staff of the children’s ministry at a Methodist church, and my husband & I are looking for a Waco church home. I have a music background, with a degree in Music Business/Management, from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. I think living in a city where I knew 3 other Christians almost taught me more about the world’s faith (and people’s negative & positive views of Jesus people) than music.
I’m working on the dual M.Div/MSW right now and am not sure of my career plans. My one certainty is that my work will aim towards those forgotten, whether they be incarcerated, homeless, young, poor, lonely, etc. Working as a social worker among the youth prison system is a definite possibility, as is working within or starting a non-profit (secular or faith-based), but I am open to the path ahead. I have a background in work at churches, prison ministries, inner-city youth organizations, and music companies. My husband is studying psychology, and-despite my love for Texas-we have dreams of cooler weather and a richer arts/music community. Seattle, Denver, & NYC are at the top of our evolving list of our next adventure! All I know is God will take us where we need to be, and I pray there are lots of venues for playing our songs live and lots of good restaurants to try out, and perhaps a great coffee shop as well (you know, it’s the little things).
This course will best serve me as a guide in the area of biblical text I know the least about. I am fascinated by the connection between the old and new testaments, and I look forward to learning much. Thanks for stopping by.