Hello friends and happy Friday! Today we continue on our study of Ezra, and while today certainly features more difficult names to pronounce, it's a day that I find much more interesting as it feels like one of those political drama shows on TV. The majority of today's reading is corispondance between those trying to persecute Jerusalem and the kings of Persia. While the bloodshed and sword fighting may seem like far off examples of human sin and sabotage what we read today feels much "believable" or relatable I guess. But these are just some of my opening thoughts - I'd love to know your reaction or any questions you have about the reading. Leave them in the comments and I'll respond as they come in.
Scripture to Read
Audio Bible
Questions to Consider
What does this teach me about God and humans relationship with God?
What about this reading gives a clue into what is happening at the time of this writing? In other words, what is this in response to?
What about this reading, if anything, feel applicable to today? What action does it call me to take?
No thoughts from me today because I'd rather fill your time with some more work from the Bible Project than my rambling, haha. We've been talking about the exile for a long, long time now. Now that we are entering into the period after the exile I believe it will be helpful to have a recap on what the exile was literally and what it means spiritually in the greater story of the Bible. Today's video will help you with that!
Prayer
Our prayer today is not one of the hymns as hymn 201 is actually a prayer! It's a prayer for Advent, but I believe it can be fitting to anytime, and is particularly fitting as we are coming out of the prophetic books. I invite you to read this advent prayer as you daily prepare for Christ to enter your heart.
Merciful God,
you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation. Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may celebrate aright the commemoration of the nativity, and may away with joy the coming in glory of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.
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