This section of reading today covers from the end of Nehemiah through the book of Esther and begins the story of Job.  What a ton to consider.  We’re also on our first day of mission site work at Mission Fuge Charleston 2010 today.  The theme this week at camp is Kairos: Defining Moments (kairos is the greek word for time).  How cool is it that God would have us reading the book of Esther today.  Though God is not spoken about directly in the book of Esther – He is suddenly all over its pages.  We’ve learned that “Kairos” time is different from “Kronos” time.  Kronos is like the time of day.  Kairos used when talking about an important event or crisis of decision point.  I think that’s probably the kind of time that Mordecai was referring to when he challenged Esther to stand up for her people and be their voice to King Xerxes.  His famous words ring true today and fit well with our theme of Kairos and character building this week at camp.  Mordecai said, “…and who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14b)  For who knows but that we as the mside youth ministry have come to MFuge Charleston this week for such a time as this.

Today’s reading and yesterday’s reading go together.  While Ezra, the priest was rebuilding the temple, Nehemiah, the governor, was leading the people to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem.  The book of Nehemiah is a great read.  it’s written by Nehemiah in first person and it reads very smoothly.  He was a cupbearer for the king (Artaxerxes) and then was sent to help his people rebuild the walls.  Nehemiah was a good leader and he helped the people work as a team to rebuild the wall.  He had them each as family groups work on particular sections until it was finished.  Amazingly enough, the entire wall was finished in just 52 days.  This time even included the fact that part of the people were building the wall while part of the people were defending and standing guard against those who might attack them.  The unity among the people during this process and the speed with which they worked are a testament that it was not in their own strength, but the Lord’s that all this was accomplished.

In yesterday’s readings from Ezra I asked what happened to the people’s foreign wives and children when they repented of their sin of marring these people.  I haven’t found the answer yet, however, Nehemiah brings this topic of intermarriage up in his writings toward the end of this book.  He, like Ezra, finds the practice despicable and tells the people not to do it.

The bulk of the reading today was the book of Ezra.  This is an interesting section of scripture.  The Israelites are finally being let out of bondage by Cyrus king of Persia.  They are coming back to Jerusalem and rebuilding the temple to the Lord.  Ezra became the head priest and leader of the people at that time.  Ezra was a direct descendant of Aaron – about 16 generation later.  Scripture says that Ezra was a man who, “…devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10)

It’s clear that Ezra was a true man of God and that he led the people well, but some of this book is difficult for me to understand.  A good portion of the last chapters focus on Ezra being convicted that the people had become too intermarried with non-Jews (foreigners).  In fact, it goes into great detail about his sermon to the people and their own conviction of the sin in their lives.  Then it goes into detail to name each of the men who married a foreign woman and the ones who had children by them.  It makes it seem like these men sent these woman and children away to live somewhere else as a way of “cleansing” their sin, but it’s not clear as to what happened to them.  I understand the importance to obeying they law, but what became of these families that were broken up and what of their wives and children?  Maybe I’ll find out in reading later in scripture.  For now, I will just have to wonder why?  (If you know or I missed something – comment and let me know)  One thing is for sure.  Ezra helped lead the people to become more fully devoted to the Lord.