Scripture: Esther 4 Background Reading: Matthew 16:21–23; 17:22–23; 20:17–19 The opening line of Esther 4 is revealing. It is the key to understanding this chapter. The text tells us that “Mordecai learned all that had been done.” Mordecai is apparently an official in the Persian government. He has insider information. He knows exactly how much […]
Scripture: Esther 5 Background Reading: Daniel 10:1–9; Ezra 8:21–32 Whenever we attempt to understand historical events, timing of those events is often important. Queen Esther had commanded Mordecai to gather all the Jews in the capital city of Susa and to hold a fast on her behalf for three days. Traditionally, a fast would last […]
Scripture: Esther 2:1–18 Background Reading: Genesis 38:1–30; Matthew 1:1–3 The Lapse of Time As we begin to look at Esther 2, we quickly notice a lapse of time. The events recorded for us in this chapter do not follow immediately after those in Esther 1. We are reminded that royal decrees from King Xerxes went […]
Scripture: Esther 2:19–3:15 Background reading: Exodus 17:8–16; Deuteronomy 25:17–19; 1 Samuel 15:1–9, 32–33 As we continue our reading in the book of Esther, we might conclude that the events presented are nice, neat demonstrations of coincidence. It just so happens, by chance, that Mordecai happened to be in the right place at the right time […]
Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 13 Background Reading: Joshua 23:4–13 As we begin our study of Nehemiah 13, we are immediately confronted with a controversy. Our English Standard Version opens with the phrase, “On that day they read from the book of Moses.” What day was that? When did that reading from the Law occur? Commentaries are […]
Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 12 Background Reading: 1 Chronicles 23:1–6; 24:1–5; 25:1 Another chapter full of names. Almost impossible to pronounce. Almost impossible to inspire. As we noted with the previous chapter, the meanings do not lie exposed on the surface. To the contrary, we will need to dig deeply again. Near the surface, there is […]
Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 11 Background Reading: Joshua 21:1–19; Genesis 38:12–26 Introduction If we focus only on the long lists of names that fill Nehemiah 11, we will easily be disappointed. We might see little or no benefit in spending time in this chapter. We might be inclined to look elsewhere for more exciting stories. To […]
Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 10 Background Reading: Genesis 9:8–17; Genesis 17:1–14; Malachi 1:6–14 In order to understand Nehemiah 10, we need to slip back into the last few verses of Nehemiah 9. We note there the words “Because of all this, we make a firm covenant in writing” (9:38). But that leads us to ask, “What […]
The concept of Sphere Sovereignty is capturing ever greater interest in the CRC and also in other circles. It is highly necessary that we have a clear understanding of what this expression implies. In this lucid article, Or. Norman De Jong, professor at Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa, makes clear-cut distinctions to assist the reader […]
On August 12, 2017, an event occurred in Charlottesville, Virginia, that temporarily rocked the United States. It turned out to be a riot on the campus of the University of Virginia. It was a clash between white supremacists, neo- Nazis, racists, and sundry other groups, either protesting or protecting the statue of Robert E. Lee, […]