Will he force the queen?

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Esther 7:7–10, “And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.”

The king was angry and went outside, into the garden, so that he could process the information. Haman came over to Esther’s place at the banquet and began to beg her for mercy. He understood that he was in deep trouble and Esther was the only person who could save him. When the king came back, he saw Haman close to the bed on which Esther was lying to eat the banquet. He was even more angry and wondered if Haman was trying to rape the queen. He made his accusation out loud and one of the servants covered Haman’s face, a sure sign that he was condemned to death. The servants told the king about the gallows that Haman had made for Mordecai so Haman was hanged on his own gallows

This wicked Haman

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Esther 7:1–6, “So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom. Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage. Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.”

Even though Haman was upset about Mordecai, he went to the banquet with the king and the queen. It was a formal affair, following proper protocol and lasted through to a second day. Esther took her time and, as the banquet was winding down, the king asked her to make her request. She took her life in her hands and asked that her people be saved from genocide. She had not told the king that she was a Jew so her request was quite dangerous. She told the king that she wouldn’t have done anything if her life, alone, was in danger but she was concerned about the fate of her entire people. The king wanted more information and asked Esther who was responsible for the problem. She accused Haman, for he was the originator of the problem. Haman suddenly realised that he was in trouble and started to be afraid.

Thou shalt not prevail

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Esther 6:12–14, “And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. And while they were yet talking with him, came the king’s chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.”

As Haman took Mordecai thorough the city giving his enemy the honour that Haman wanted for himself, he realised that he could never ask the king to give him permission to execute Mordecai. He understood that something had gone wrong with his plans but he wasn’t quite sure what. Haman rushed home after he finished honouring Mordecai. His wife told him that he would never be able to destroy all the Jews because the Lord God was sovereign and cared for them. He would have to accept that his plan had failed. While this was happening the king’s courtiers came to take Haman to Esther’s banquet.

The king delights to honour

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Esther 6:4–11, “And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king’s house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. And the king’s servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in. So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself? And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head: And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour. Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king’s gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken. Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.”

Haman came to the court felling very happy because he thought that everything was going so well in his life. He planned to ask the king if he could execute Mordecai on the gallows that his wife had advised him to make. The king, on the other hand, was troubled by the fact that Mordecai had done a great service to the crown but had not been rewarded. The king wanted to know how he could do something for Mordecai as a reward. The king’s servants told him that Haman was in the court so the king decided to ask his advice on how to reward Mordecai. The king asked Haman how he could reward a man whom he desired to honour. Haman was so committed to his mission and couldn’t conceive that the king might want to honour anyone else, he thought the honour would be for himself so he told the king what he wanted to happen to him. He thought that it would be a great honour if he could dress up as the king, ride the kings personal horse and be paraded around the city led by one of the most important men in the whole kingdom. As this happened someone would walk along telling everyone that this was the way that king honoured special people. Just as he was about to prepare himself for this great honour, the king told him that he wanted to honour Mordecai and that he would have to lead the horse around the city calling out that the king wanted to honour Mordecai.

A convenient case of insomnia

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Esther 6:1–3, “On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.”

That night the king had a convenient case of insomnia. He called his servants to bring him the books of archives and read them. He thought that this material would surely make him go to sleep. By God’s grace, the attendant chose to archives that referred to Mordecai and how he had foiled an assassination plot against the king. The king wondered if Mordecai had ever been honoured for his service to the kingdom. The attendants told the king that nothing had ever been done for Mordecai. After that the king went to sleep.

Build a gallows

Esther 5:9–14, “Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai. Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate. Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.”

When Haman found out that he was invited to a special banquet with the queen and king he was very happy. He believed that he had been chosen for a very high honour that no one else in the kingdom was going to experience. He headed home to tell his wife of this great honour. Along the way, he saw Mordecai sitting near the palace gate and he was very angry. He refused to let Mordecai spoil his moment and went home. Haman told his wife how good things were for him but that he was still very angry about Mordecai refusal to give him the honour he thought that he deserved. His wife told him to build a gallows so that he could execute Haman before he went to king to get permission to get rid of his enemy forever. He thought that this was a good idea.

Favour in his sight

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Esther 5:1–8, “Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom. And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him. Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed. Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is; If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.”

Esther waited a few days while all her supporters prayed and fasted then she put on her best clothes and approached the king. The king was in his audience chamber when Esther stood near the entrance. This was the most dangerous time for her. The king saw her and followed the royal protocol to show that he was willing to see Esther and hear her request. Esther followed the royal protocol as well, making sure that she offend the king or any of his court. She knew she had to be very careful and make sure that her conversation with the king was private. She asked the king to attend a special dinner and bring Haman as well.

If I perish, I perish

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Esther 4:5–17, “Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king’s chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was. So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king’s gate. And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words. Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. 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? Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, 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. So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.”

Esther sent one of her advisors to Mordecai to find out why he was in mourning. After all, he was her adoptive father and she cared for him. The man came to Mordecai and Mordecai explained what Haman had done and how all the Jews were in great danger. Mordecai asked Esther to see the king and lobby him on behalf of the Jews. Esther had some issues of her own. Even though she was the queen, she couldn’t just go and see the king whenever she wanted. In fact, if the king didn’t want to see her then she might well lose her own life if she went into his presence uninvited. Mordecai told her that she had a responsibility to her people. After all, she was the only Jew who had access to the king at that time. Perhaps the Lord had brought her to this position to save the Jews from genocide. She asked Mordecai to get his friends together to fast and pray. She also asked all her supporters in the palace to fast and pray as well. She knew that she was risking her life but she told Mordecai that she was willing to sacrifice her life to save her people. It is interesting to note that Mordecai didn’t doubt that the Lord would save his people. He put on sackcloth and ashes, prayed and fasted to make supplication to the Lord God of heaven and earth, Who could actually intervene and bring this plan to nought.

Sackcloth with ashes

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Esther 4:1–4, “When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; And came even before the king’s gate: for none might enter into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.”

As a Jews, Mordecai was devastated when he heard of Haman’s plan. He wasn’t just concerned about his own fate but he cared about the fate of his people as well. It is natural for anyone to want to see their own people, language and culture survive in the long term. Mordecai began to mourn, in the accepted way of his time, by wearing sackcloth and putting ashes on his head but he had to stay outside the palace grounds. When Esther heard that Mordecai was wearing sackcloth and was covered in ashes she sent some of her servants to give him good clothes to wear but he refused to change his clothes.

They cast Pur

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Esther 3:7–15, “In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries. And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy. And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. Then were the king’s scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring. And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. The posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.”

The people in those days were more religious than they are in some parts of the world today. They needed to ask their gods to tell them the most auspicious time to go ahead with their plans for Jewish genocide. To do this, they cast lots. The process involved different coloured stones, or similar objects, and then each day was tested to see if it was a good day or not. It took some time to work out the best day, that is, they day that Haman’s god thought had the best chance for success. Haman went to the king and started making his lie by telling a portion the truth. It was true that the Jews worshipped their own God and they put obedience to the Lord God above obedience to the earthy king but it wasn’t true that they disobeyed all the laws of the land. On the whole, these people were good citizens who worked for the good of the nation in which they lived. After carefully constructing his lie, Haman also added an offer of wealth. He promised to pay a large amount of silver into the king’s treasury. This was enough for the king to give Haman the authority to commit genocide. He began to set his plan in motion, using the king’s authority, and sent letters throughout the entire empire giving the authority to attack the Jews on a certain day. Everyone who chose to attack the Jews could expect to do so without any fear of reprisal. Haman went to the king and celebrated what he thought was a great triumph.

Haman

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Esther 3:1–6, “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. And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment? Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.”

Xerxes, as king, supervised the regular running of the kingdom but he appointed administrators to carry out they day to day tasks. He promoted a man called Haman, to a senior administrative post in the kingdom. Haman was an Agagite. That is, he was descended from the Amalekite kings. (see, 1 Sam 15: 8 and compare Num 24: 7) The Amalekites were sworn enemies of the Jews because they refused to help Israel along the way, before they entered the Promised Land. This man was arrogant and proud; he expected everyone to bow down before him when he walked past because he was so important in the kingdom. On the other hand, Mordecai knew that he should only bow down to the Lord God and not to any man. Haman was enraged when Mordecai refused to bow down but he was also a malicious man and wanted to destroy all the Jews and not just this Jew. This is part of the great cosmic conspiracy. The Lord promised that he would bless all the families of the earth through Abraham’s legitimate descendants, Israel, but Satan wants to block that. Throughout the ages there have been people who have believed Satan lies and tried to destroy Abraham’s legitimate descendants to stop God from blessing all the families of the earth.

Sought to lay hand

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Esther 2:21–23, “In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name. And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.”

Mordecai had told Esther not to let anyone know that she was a Jew. He spent time waiting close to the palace gates so that he could get as much information as possible and do everything he could to protect Esther in her position. He started waiting near the gate long before she ever was selected to be the queen. While Mordecai was waiting near the gate, he heard two public servants plotting to assassinate the king. Mordecai was a good citizen, even though he was in Exile, so he reported the plot to the king. The men were punished and the matter was recorded in the official archives. Nothing else happened at the time and Mordecai continued to try and protect Esther, as he could.

Esther

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Esther 2:1–20, “After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. 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. So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. Now when every maid’s turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;) Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house. In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name. 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. So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king. And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king’s gate. Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.”

After a while, the king remembered what he had done and his advisors told him to find a new queen to replace Vashti. Xerxes was the emperor of a very large empire so it was important that he have the best available queen in the empire. The king’s advisors told him to find all the beautiful women he could from the kingdom and bring them to his palace. These women had to be young without ever having any boyfriend before. The women would be allowed to go through the best beauty treatments available in the empire then they would be allowed to spend one night with the king. If the king wasn’t impressed then the girl would go to the concubines palace and live out her days there. There was a young Jewish woman called Hadassah who also had a Persian name, Esther. She was an orphan and had been adopted by her older cousin, Mordecai. Mordecai realised that this would be a good opportunity for Esther to establish herself so he sent her to go through all the beauty treatments and prepare to see the king. The king loved Esther and chose her to be the queen instead of Vashti.

Vashti refused

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Esther 1:10–22, “On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment: And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king’s face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;) What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king’s princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath. 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. And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small. And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan: For he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.”

Xerxes the Great was very fond of women and had many wives and concubines in his hareem. At the end of the seven day party he wanted to show off to all the men at the party so that they could see how good his women were. He wanted the queen, the most beautiful of his wives, to come out so that he could show her off to all the men. She refused to come and be displayed, like some kind of trophy. The king was very angry and called his senior advisors to come and consult over this matter. The advisors were more concerned with their own position than that of the king. They told the king that, if he didn’t punish his queen, Vashti, then all the women in the kingdom would think that they could refuse to do what their husbands told them. In order to prevent this breakdown of masculine authority in the Persian Empire, at that time, the king should force the queen to leave the palace and be banished for life. The king decided that this was a good idea and had the new law published throughout his very large kingdom.

He showed his riches

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Esther 1:1–9, “Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace; Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure. Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.”

The scene for the last two historical books, that we have considered, was Jerusalem, after the Lord brought Judah back to their homeland, just as He promised seventy years before it happened. The scene for this book is in Shushan (also called Susa), the summer capital of the Persian Empire, in modern day Iran, at the northern end of the Persian Gulf, on the Ulai River. Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes the Great (using the Greek transliteration), was the emperor of the Persian Empire. He ruled a huge kingdom that covered large areas from modern day Turkey, down to Egypt and over to India along the southern shores of the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. He decided to celebrate with his supporters and administrators. He showed his wealth to all the people who had come to see, so that they would be impressed and not tempted to betray him. He showed his wealth for 180 days then had a seven day feast. While this was happening his queen, Vashti, had a party for all the women in her part of the palace.

They could not speak in the Jews' language

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php
http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught
http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”
(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
Nehemiah 13:23–31, “In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews’ language, but according to the language of each people. And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives? And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me. Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business; And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.”
Israel’s first obligation was to the Lord their God. They were to have no other gods and they were not to reduce the status of their God by making images of Him. For example, if someone made an image of the Lord God then, in time, people would come to believe that the Lord was the same size as the image and, thus, the Lord God would be reduced from being Absolute and Almighty into something that was less than this. On the other hand, Israel was told to remain separate from the other nations. When children are growing up, they accept what they are told without question. This means that a person who is brought up to believe in a god who is less than absolute and almighty will find it hard to accept that God is both Almighty and Absolute when he are grown up. When a couple are married one will think that her way is right while the other will think that his way is right. After all, that’s the way that it has always been. What will the children be taught to believe? Will they believe that there is one Sovereign God or will they believe in something less than that? This was the problem faced by the returnees: they had come back to the Land that the Lord had given them many years earlier but they needed to retain their faith in the One True Sovereign God of heaven and earth. If this didn’t happen then they may well lose their tenure of the Land again. Nehemiah understood this problem and worked hard to make sure that every one of the returnees was dedicated to the One True Sovereign God of heaven and earth. This meant separating from people who gave allegiance to other Gods. As we have seen before, this didn’t meant deserting their responsibilities, it just meant that God came first and family second.

On the Sabbath

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Nehemiah 13:15–22, “In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.”

Even though there were a large number of rules and regulations from the Lord, (630) the their foundation was found in the Ten Commandments. They were the barest minimum requirements for honouring the Lord. Included in the Ten Commandments was the obligation to respect the Sabbath. This showed that the people understood and respected the fact that the Lord God is Sovereign in His creation. The Lord took six days to create the heavens and the earth and then the Lord rested to celebrate the fact that everything was perfect and He had nothing left to do. The returnees were not respecting the Sabbath. They wanted to conduct their business on the Sabbath rather than respect the fact that the Lord is God. Nehemiah made sure that the people understood that their obligations to the Lord came before everything else, even business.

Why is the house of God forsaken?

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Nehemiah 13:10–14, “And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place. Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries. And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren. 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.”

The Lord chose Israel to be His special people, so that the world would know that the Lord is God over all. (See, for example, Ex 6: 7, 7: 5, etc) As long as Israel understood their obligations to the Lord then they would be able to complete this task and the rest of the world would know that the Lord is the true God. In order to make this happen, Israel was called upon to integrate the daily, ceremonial practice of their faith in the Lord into their lives. This could not happen without a select group of professionals dedicated to the Lord’s service. These professionals belonged to the tribe of Levi and had to be paid from contributions made by the rest of Israel. After his return to Jerusalem, Nehemiah discovered that no one was paying the professionals to perform the ceremonial task that were so essential to Israel’s role in the world. The members of the tribe of Levi had to work in their own fields so that they could feed their own families and, thus, were not able to carry out their assigned roles, under the Lord. Nehemiah made sure that he reestablished the system of contributions and that it was properly administered so that all the ceremonial Temple functions could be carried out correctly.

Tobiah

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Nehemiah 13:1–9, “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; Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude. And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah: And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests. But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king: And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.”

Even though Nehemiah came to Jerusalem and acted as the governor, he had another job, that of cup bearer to the king. The King respected Nehemiah and gave him a time limit on his leave of absence. Nehemiah had to go back to the king and do his other job as well. While Nehemiah was away, the people in Jerusalem did what they felt was best in the situation. However, they didn’t pay enough attention to the book of the Law. Israel was established to be a constitutional monarchy and, even though there wasn’t a king, in Israel, at that stage, the constitution was to be the final arbiter of rules, regulations and daily practice. Nehemiah came back from his service to the king and found out that one of the leading priests had ignored the constitution and set up an Ammonite in the Temple. The Ammonites were descendants of one of Lot’s daughters but, instead of treating Israel like close friends, they had treated Israel as enemies and tried to destroy them. Nehemiah found that the leading Ammonite in Jerusalem had been given quarters inside the Temple. He knew that this showed complete disregard to the Lord’s Law so he forced this man to leave the Temple area immediately

In the days of Zerubbabel

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Nehemiah 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. And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son. For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God. And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron.”

By this stage, the task of rebuilding and resettling was complete and the returnees had to move into a new mode. They were now living in their own territory, even though they were under the Persian overlords. Each day the regular processes so essential to an ordered life had to be carried out. In order to make sure that nothing was left out the people involved in Temple and ceremonial service had to be organised. Half a century before these events, Kings David and Solomon had established a complete, and successful, administration for the same tasks that had to be carried out in the rebuilt Temple. The returnees used their wisdom and insight and just re-established the old system rather than try and invent a new one.

The dedication of the wall

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Nehemiah 12:27–43, “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. And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi; Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem. And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall. Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate: And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah, And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam, Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah, And certain of the priests’ sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph: And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them. And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward. And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall; And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate. So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me: And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer. 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.”

When the walls were built and everything was secure, the Jews in Judah decided to dedicate the work to the Lord. They made sure that everyone involved was ceremonially clean and then they had a great parade. The Temple musicians were called to provide the music, both instrumental and vocal. The people divided into two groups, one went one way and the other went the other way around the walls. They praised the Lord for without His involvement the people would not have returned to the Promised Land, that He had given them, let alone rebuilding the Temple or the city walls.

These are the priests

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Nehemiah 12:1–26, “Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah, Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah, Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Jeshua. Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, which was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren. Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were over against them in the watches. And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada, And Joiada begat Jonathan, and Jonathan begat Jaddua. And in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah; Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; Of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph; Of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai; Of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam; Of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai; Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; And of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi; Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; Of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethaneel. The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, were recorded chief of the fathers: also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian. The sons of Levi, the chief of the fathers, were written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib. And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward. Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates. These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.”

At that stage, Judah’s religion depended on the Temple and the ceremonies associated with the Temple. Before the nation could be reestablished in their homeland, they had to remake their contract with the Lord and follow the proper procedures. While the people who were involved in the rebuilding played an essential role nothing could happen without the Priests and Levites. They were the sufficient part of the process. These courageous people were listed by the returnees for history so that they could be given the proper honour that they deserved.

The residue of Israel

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Nehemiah 11:20–36, “And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance. But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinims. The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God. For it was the king’s commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day. And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king’s hand in all matters concerning the people. And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjatharba, and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and in the villages thereof, And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Bethphelet, And at Hazarshual, and at Beersheba, and in the villages thereof, And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof, And at Enrimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth, Zanoah, Adullam, and in their villages, at Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and in the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Beersheba unto the valley of Hinnom. The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages, And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin.”

The people who returned from the Exile could demonstrate continuity in the Promised Land. While some volunteered to live in the city, there were many who went back to their ancient inheritances. Ever since the time of Joshua, almost a thousand years earlier, the Promised Land had been divided among the Israeli tribes, family by family. The return was not a new venture or a hasty land grab, it was the people who had been taken away by Nebuchadnezzar coming back, in God’s grace to the Land that He had given to their father Abraham and his legitimate son Isaac.

Cast lots

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Nehemiah 11:1–19, “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. And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon’s servants. And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez; And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni. All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men. And these are the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jesaiah. And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight. And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city. Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin. Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the ruler of the house of God. And their brethren that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah, And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two: and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men. Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God. And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four. Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were an hundred seventy and two.”

Once the city was rebuilt, it was important that people live in Jerusalem to keep it secure and safe. Not everyone wanted to live in the city because it had been a dangerous place. On the other hand, the returnees had their own blocks of land that they could farm and enjoy. Some people volunteered to live in the city while others had a kind of lottery, whereby some were chosen to live in the city. A record was kept of the people who lived in the city so that they could be shown some honour for the sacrifice that they were willing to make for the good of the nation.