Day 3

Nehemiah 11-13

Today I finished the last 3 chapters in the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament. These last chapters talk about how lots were chosen to see which families would like inside of Jerusalem and which families would stay in their towns that they were already in. There was a dedication of the Wall of Jerusalem after it was built, it was a great festival with people coming from all over to celebrate the dedication of the wall. In the last chapter, you gain an understanding that Nehemiah left Jerusalem to return to King Artaxerxes but he came back to see what has been happening in Jerusalem years later. The men had married foreign women again and a curse was placed upon their heads for they had sinned against God. A foreigner was given a room in the House of God by a priest which is forbidden because it defiles God's House. They were letting venders come into the city on the Sabbath which was forbidden because the Sabbath was a holy day. I have learned from these chapters we must do what is right in the eyes of our God or we might be facing many challenges before we greet him in Heaven Above.

"Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services." Nehemiah 13: 14 NIV

Esther 1-7

Today, I also started reading the book of Esther in the Old Testament. I have read 7 out of 10 chapters in this book. I found that in the Old Testament so far that Esther is my favorite book, I think it might have something to do with saving the Jewish peoples from the wrath of Haman and that she is a woman that accomplished this fete. In this book I learned that it is important to listen to your elders and do as you are told for God will deliver greatness to you but not in the way that many might think that it will be delivered because one day you might even save your people or someone from total destruction.

"Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. And the king gave a great banquet, Esther's banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality." Esther 2: 17-18 NIV