Verse of the Day: (2:15) Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
1.No (1:1-22)
If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. (1:19)
King Ahasuerus, who reigned an empire that stretched from India to Ethiopia, made a feast for all his princes and servants to show off his wealth for 180 days before them. He then requested his wife, Queen Vashti, to be with him, so that he could show off her stunning beauty. However, Vashti refused as she assumed the king would give in to her insolence, but he was so angry with her that he commanded her to come no more to him as he would replace her with another queen. Subsequently, he sent a decree to all that all wives shall honour their husbands. Indeed, let us truly humble ourselves, and submit to the will of God, and no longer live in disobedience and the lusts of men. (1 Peter 4:1-2)
2.Nothing (2:1-20)
And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. (2:7)
The quest for the new queen for King Ahasuerus began, and after much search he chose Esther. What a contrast between the 2 queens! The former queen Vashti was proud who required everything for her status, while Queen Esther was humble who required nothing, and she even obtained favour in the sight of all who were with her. Esther was a humble and godly woman mainly because she was an orphan, and was raised by Mordecai, her humble and godly uncle. Indeed, let us be truly contented with God, as we bring nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out of it. (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
3.Name (2:21-23)
And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name. (2:22)
Mordecai saved the king as he told Esther that 2 of the king’s servants had plotted to kill Ahasuerus. The culprits were eventually arrested and hanged, and Mordecai’s name was recorded in the chronicles. Indeed, when we choose to believe in God, our names shall be written in His book of life and our souls shall live with Him forever! (Revelation 3:1-5)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I require nothing in this life except Your salvation.
Verse of the Day: (4:16) Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
1.Promotion (3:1-15)
After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. (3:1)
Though the entire book of Esther does not mention God, yet throughout its pages, the hand of God was upon the Jews, His people. King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the Agagite, to be his right-hand man, and everyone bowed before him, except Mordecai, the Jew. Mordecai believed that he should only bow to his God, and not man. God was with Mordecai while the devil was with Haman. God almost allowed an extermination of the Jews as the devil wanted to hinder the birth of Jesus, the Saviour of the world, who shall be from the Jewish race. Imagine if Haman succeeded in the extermination of the Jews, then there would be no Saviour. Indeed, let us continue to trust God, even though sometime evil men are promoted, but eventually God’s will shall prevail. (Psalm 75:1-10)
2.Peace (4:1-14)
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (4:14)
The Jews were depressed when they heard that Haman had commanded his people to destroy all of them, just because Mordecai had refused to bow before him. Mordecai sought help from his adopted daughter, Esther, to speak to the king. Esther told him that she could never meet the king until he called for her. They then held their peace, and spread words to all the Jews to keep praying for God’s providence and protection upon them. Let us thus hold our peace, and seek God’s peace, and trust in Him. (John 16:33)
3.Perish (4:15-17)
So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him. (4:17)
Esther told Mordecai that she was ready to perish, if the king refused to see her. Mordecai obeyed Esther’s command by gathering all the Jews in Shushan to fast for 3 days and nights, as they waited for the outcome of her meeting with the king. Let us thus trust God as His will is that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be ready to pray, preach and perish for Your glory.
Verse of the Day: (13:31) And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.
1.Read (13:1-3)
On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; (13:1)
A reader may not be a leader, but all God’s leaders are readers, especially of God’s Word. Israel read the book of Moses and discovered that the Ammonite and the Moabite were not allowed to be with them unless they would repent of their sins of unbelief and wickedness. Indeed, let us read, meditate and apply God’s Word in our hearts that all who know us, may come to know Christ through our sharing and testimony. (Ephesians 3:1-7)
2.Rulers (13:4-13)
Then contented I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place. (13:11)
While Nehemiah was away from Jerusalem, Eliashib, the priest, had allied himself with Tobiah, the Ammonite, and had forsaken and defiled God’s house by allowing Tobiah, an unbeliever, to stay in the chamber of God’s house where the people’s gifts to God to be distributed to those who served Him were stored, in other words, Tobiah had accessed to these gifts. Upon his return, Nehemiah was very grieved when he heard of the corruption of Eliashib, and immediately he threw out Tobiah from the chamber. He then confronted the leaders to return all the offerings to those who served God in His house, and to resume the worship of God. Indeed, let us serve God and flee from evil. (Romans 13:1-4)
3.Remember (13:14-31)
Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof. (13:14)
Nehemiah commanded the people never to marry the unbelievers as they would compromise their belief, and to stop working on the Sabbath day, but instead they should worship God for who He is, and what He has done for them. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) At the end of Nehemiah’s life, he prayed to God to remember him and the works he had done for Him. Indeed, God shall remember the works that we have done for Him as He remembered the criminal at the cross who cried in repentance to Him, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. Jesus replied, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:39-43) What a day it shall be when we get to heaven as God calls our names from His book of life, and we shall behold His wonderful face, and also those of our loved ones who had gone ahead of us! (Revelation 20:11-15)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please remember me for all that I have believed in and done for You.
Verse of the Day: (12:27) And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.
1.Ten (11:1-36)
And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities. (11:1)
Everyone sought to stay in Jerusalem because it was God’s holy city. As a result, Jerusalem was overcrowded, and the rulers prepared lots for Israel such that only 1 out of 10 shall be able to stay in Jerusalem while the rest had to move out to other cities. Indeed, let us be thankful to God for saving our souls from hell to heaven just like the 1 out of the 10 lepers who gave thanks to Jesus for healing him while the rest did not. (Luke 17:11-19)
2.Thanksgivings (12:1-43)
Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. (12:43)
God’s Word never fails to record the names of Israel because Jesus shall come forth from them. This is why time and again, God protects and preserves Israel until today, because Jesus came more than 2,000 years ago, and lived, ministered, died and shed His blood on the cross for the sins of the whole world. In fact, Jesus is coming again, the 2nd time, during the Rapture, to draw His Christians and the dead in Christ to be with Him in glorious heaven forever. Then after the 7 years Tribulation, Jesus shall come again, and this time, He shall rule Israel as His kingdom for 1,000 years. (Revelation 19-22) This was why Nehemiah sought the Levites to dedicate the walls with thanksgivings to God, because they knew that it was He who helped them amid discouragement and distress, and at the same time, He also revived their spiritual lives. Indeed, let us trust and obey God with joy and thanksgivings, as He is worthy of all our praise. (2 Corinthians 9:12-15)
3.Treasures (12:44-47)
And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited. (12:44)
Judah rejoiced for the services of the priests and Levites, because Jesus, the Son of God, shall come from their tribe. Indeed, the greatest treasure is God, the Holy Spirit, dwelling in us, once we believe in and receive Jesus as our personal Saviour. (2 Corinthians 4:1-10)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for everything especially saving my wretched soul and life.
Verse of the Day: (10:36) Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister to in the house of our God:
1.Fire (9:1-38)
Moreover thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go. (9:12)
Though Israel failed God many times, especially in the wilderness, yet He was always ready to pardon their sins, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsook them not as He led them as a pillar of fire in the night and a pillar of cloud in the day. Nehemiah and Israel separated themselves with the unbelievers, and began reading God’s Word for more than 6 hours, and another 6 hours in confessing and repenting their sins, and in worshipping Him. Indeed, let us truly spend time reading and applying God’s Word in our lives, as well as worshipping Him, as He is not only a loving God, but He is also a consuming Fire who judges us of all our sins. (Hebrews 12:28-29)
2.Firstborn (10:1-36)
They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God’s law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes; (10:29)
God brought revival to Israel, as they diligently heard and applied His Word in their lives, and confessed and repented their sins. They then covenanted with God, and sealed with the names of Nehemiah, the princes, priests and Levites to obey His commandments. Subsequently, they dedicated their firstborns to God, knowing that He is the Giver of life and the Creator of all living creatures, including man, made in His own image. Indeed, let us be thankful to God for lovingly sending His Firstborn and only begotten Son, Jesus, to live, minister, die and shed His blood for the sins of the whole world. (Romans 8:29-39)
3.Firstfruits (10:37-39)
And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage. (10:37)
Beside their firstborns, Israel also gave their firstfruits of everything to God, thanking Him for all that He had blessed them with. Indeed, let us look forward to the glorious day when Jesus, our Firstfruit, shall lead us to glorious heaven during the Rapture, together with all the resurrected Old as well as New Testament saints. (1 Corinthians 15:20-23)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to give my firstborn, firstfruits and my life to You.
Verse of the Day: (7:2) That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
1.Faithful (7:1-4)
And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house. (7:3)
After the completion of the rebuilding project, Nehemiah delegated the works of overseeing Jerusalem to Hanani, his brother, and Hananiah, the ruler of the palace, as both were faithful men who feared God. He then appointed guards at all the gates as he knew that their enemies, the Samaritans, would seek to destroy what they had rebuilt. Indeed, let us be faithful to God, and fear Him, and be sober and vigilant, as Satan, God’s enemy, is always seeking to destroy us, and our works for Him. (1 Corinthians 4:1-2)
2.First (7:5-73)
And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein. (7:5)
God then put into Nehemiah’s heart to find the register of the genealogy of the Jews who first returned to Jerusalem after being released from the Babylonian captivity. The reason was because Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, shall be from the Jews, and Satan would do everything to hinder His birth such that man can never be reconciled with God but be eternally condemned in hell like him because of sin. However, Jesus, the First and the Last, always win over Satan, as He came into this world, and lived and ministered, and died and shed His blood at the cross for the sins of the world. Whoever therefore believes in Jesus shall never perish, but have eternal life with Him in heaven. (Revelation 1:1-11)
3.Fat (8:1-18)
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. (8:10)
Amid opposition, the people gathered as one people to hear Ezra, the priest, reading God’s Word, and some wept as this was the first time they heard it, as they never hear it during their 70 long years of captivity in Babylon. Nehemiah then led them in great celebration with the fat and sweet drinks of the land, and they also shared the blessings with the poor. It was indeed a holy day, as they knew that the joy of the Lord was their strength. Let us thus trust in God, and He shall bless us now and forever. (Proverbs 28:25)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be faithful, and to always fear You now and forever.
Verse of the Day: (6:3) And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
1.Great Cry (5:1-6)
And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. (5:1)
Not only was there external opposition, but there was internal crisis that Nehemiah had to solve amid rebuilding the city and walls of Jerusalem. He was very angry with the nobles and rulers, who took advantage of the famine, to charge their own people with exorbitant interest for the loan to buy corn for their families, that many resorted to selling their children as slaves, in order to service the loans plus high interest. There was hence a great cry of the people, and Nehemiah prayed to God to help him find a solution. Indeed, let us cry to God, Abba, Father, as He is able to help us do anything, including the impossible, for His children and joint-heirs with Christ, who truly believe in Him. (Romans 8:15-17)
2.Great Assembly (5:7-19)
Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. (5:7)
Nehemiah gathered his people to rebuke the nobles and rulers for charging high interest on their own people. He reminded them that as God’s people they should love and care for one another so that the unbelievers could see the loving testimony of Christ in them, and thus believe in Him. Indeed, we are God’s great assembly and church, and let us serve Him with reverence and godly fear as He is not only a gracious and loving God, but He is also a consuming fire who judges and punishes wicked sinners. (Hebrews 12:18-29)
3.Great Work (6:1-19)
And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God. (6:16)
The walls were finished in a record time of 52 days, because God was with Nehemiah and his people. Amid the rebuilding, Nehemiah faced much opposition and crises even death threat, but he never gave up, as he knew that if God was with him in His great work, who can be against him. Indeed, when their enemies saw that they had miraculously completed the massive project, they knew that God was with them. Let us therefore keep focusing on doing the great work of God of sharing the gospel that Jesus saves, amid great opposition and discouragement, as He is with us now and forever. (John 6:26-29)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am doing a great work in sharing Your Word to all.
Verse of the Day: (3:1) Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.
1.Priest (3:1-10)
And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord. (3:5)
Leadership by example. There is no short-cut for leaders as in the case of the high priest rising up with his priests to rebuild the ruined gates and walls. Not only did they repaired the walls but they sanctified the repairs to God for all that He had done for and through them. Indeed, there was great leadership and teamwork in action as each family repaired the damaged piece. However even with great leadership and teamwork there would still be some, even within the people of Israel, who refused to put their necks to the work of God, like the Tekoites nobles. Let us thus look to Jesus, our High Priest, who set the highest example for us, when He gave His life on the cross for the sins of the world that whoever believes in Him shall never perish but have everlasting life. (Hebrews 9:11-22)
2.Piece (3:11-32)
Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahath-moab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces. (3:11)
Every piece of the jigsaw puzzle is important as they make the full picture of the puzzle. Nehemiah and the people knew that every piece of the walls was vital as they diligently repaired it. Indeed, every soul is precious to God as He seeks to save whoever believes in Him, and all His angels rejoice over one sinner who repents of his sins. (Luke 15:8-10)
3.Prayer (4:1-23)
Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. (4:9)
Prayer is the source of power for Christians. Nehemiah knew that unless he and his people prayed to God for power, strength and wisdom, they would never be able to complete the rebuilding of the city and walls amid much opposition, discouragement and even death threat. One of the most effective weapons that Satan uses to hinder God and His people is discouragement. Satan used Sanballat and his Samaritan army to discourage Nehemiah and his people by mocking them that they would never be able to repair the walls as they were too weak. However, Nehemiah and his people continued to pray and rebuild, and eventually completed the rebuilding project. Indeed, let us pray to Jesus, our High Priest, amid life crises, and He shall hear and answer us, and show us great and mighty things that are beyond our imagination and understanding. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You, that Jesus Christ, our High Priest, shall intercede for us.
Verse of the Day: (2:4) Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
1.House (1:1-11)
Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned. (1:6)
Though Nehemiah was only a king’s cupbearer, yet his heart was like a king, as he sought to lead his people of Israel to rebuild their ruined city and walls of Jerusalem, after he heard of their plight. (1:11) Though it seemed an impossible task as he was in Persian (modern Iran) serving King Artaxerxes of Persia, and far from Jerusalem, yet he prayed to the God of heaven for direction and guidance. He not only prayed for the rebuilding project, but he also humbled himself, and confessed his sins and the sins of his father’s house (Israel). Indeed, many times our tasks may seem impossible to accomplish, but let us start with prayer, and trust God, and do exactly what He has impressed upon our hearts, and eventually we shall complete them. Let us thus commit ourselves and our houses (families) to serve God to the end, and He shall bless us now and forever. (Joshua 24:15)
2.Heaven (2:1-7)
And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me: and I set him a time. (2:6)
Indeed, whatsoever we ask in God’s name, He shall answer us. The God of heaven must have touched King Artaxerxes’ heart to permit Nehemiah and his people to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their city and walls. Nehemiah must also have been a faithful and godly cupbearer that the king fully trusted him. Let us therefore always pray to our God of heaven that His perfect will be done in and through us, and for His glory. (Luke 11:1-4)
3.Hand (2:8-20)
And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me. (2:8)
Not only King Artaxerxes approved of Nehemiah’s project, he even commanded his leaders to supply him with all the timber that he needed for the project. Indeed, let us humble ourselves under the good and mighty hand of God, and He shall exalt us in His time. Let us also cast all our cares upon God, because He truly cares for us. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to pray to You, the God of heaven, to only do Thy will.
Verse of the Day: (10:2) And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.
1.Holy (9:1-15)
And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. (9:8)
It was not just the ruined Jerusalem and her walls and the house of God that Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah returned to rebuild them, but it was the spirituality of the people of Israel including their princes and rulers had committed immorality and idolatry. It was tragic as the reason why Jerusalem was in total ruin was because of the sins of Israel, and now after God delivered them out of captivity, they still returned to sin against Him. However, God never gave up on Israel, as He put into the hearts of Zerubbabel, Ezra, Nehemiah and a remnant to abide in Him and follow His Word. This was why Ezra tore his garment, plucked off his hair and beard, and wept and prayed to God. Indeed, let us flee from immorality and idolatry, and be holy before our holy God. (1 Peter 1:13-16)
2.Hope (10:1-18)
Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore. (10:1)
Though everything seemed hopeless in Israel as in the ruined city, walls and the house of God, and in particular, the sins of idolatry and immorality, yet Ezra continued to weep and pray, and had hope in Israel, and in his Almighty God. When the people thus saw him wept and prayed, they began to weep and pray and repent their sins. This was indeed the testimony of Ezra as a leader to his people. Let us therefore keep praying to God, and hope in Him, and He shall grant us His joy and peace now and forever. (Romans 15:13)
3.Hands (10:19-44)
And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass. (10:19)
The people of Israel repented their sins and gave their hands and hearts to God, and separated themselves from their unbelieving wives. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) It was a tough decision but they knew that they must obey God and flee from idolatry. Today, we still must obey God and marry only those who believe in Him. There is no other way but to only trust and obey God and lift up our holy hands before His holiness. (1 Timothy 2:8)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to pray and flee from sins and obey and hope in You.
