MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Readings: Esther 5:1–10:3
Summary: The story of Esther continues with her
courageous approach to the king and her eventual saving of the Jewish people.
This is a story of divine providence, where a young woman is placed in a
position of influence for a critical time. We see Haman’s plot unravel and the
king’s decree reversed, all through a series of “coincidences” orchestrated by
God’s hidden hand.
Christophanies or Christoglyphs: The book of Esther is a magnificent
Christoglyph. Esther herself is a type of Christ, interceding for her people
and ultimately saving them from destruction. She risks her life, just as Jesus
would later lay down His life to save His people. The phrase “for such a time
as this” points to the sovereign plan of God, which is a key part of Christ’s
mission.
Key Words: The name “Purim” (פּוּרִים; Enunciation: “poo-REEM”) is a key word,
meaning “lots.” It’s a powerful irony that the very method Haman used to
determine the date of the Jews’ destruction became the name for the festival
celebrating their deliverance.
Memory Verse: Esther 7:3 (WEB) - “Then Esther the queen
answered, ‘If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the
king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request.’“
Application: There are times in life when we, like Esther,
are called to step into a difficult situation. This reading reminds us that we
are often placed where we are “for such a time as this.” I don’t know about you
but I have spent a career, “stepping in it!” We may not see God at work, but He
is always there, moving pieces into place. We can find strength and courage in
the knowledge that God is sovereign, and He can use us in mighty ways, even if
we feel small or inadequate.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Readings: Ezra 4:7-23; Ezra 7:1–8:36
Summary: Today we face the harsh reality of opposition.
The work of rebuilding the temple is halted by the adversaries of Judah and
Benjamin, who write a letter to the king. But then, we skip forward to a new
wave of exiles returning, this time led by Ezra, a scribe and priest. Ezra’s
journey is marked by fasting and prayer, showing that God’s people relied on
Him for protection and provision, not just their own strength.
Christophanies or Christoglyphs: The opposition the exiles faced is a constant
Christoglyph in Scripture, foreshadowing the spiritual opposition to God’s
work. As C.S. Lewis once noted in Mere Christianity, “The great thing to
remember is that though we may be defeated, we are never out of the fight.” The
work of Ezra, a man devoted to God’s law, foreshadows Christ as the ultimate
Word of God, bringing true reform and righteousness.
Key Words: Ezra 7:10 (WEB): “For Ezra had set his heart
to seek the law of Yahweh, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances
in Israel.” This verse is a powerful summary of Ezra’s mission. The phrase “set
his heart” is the Hebrew kun leb (כּוּן לֵב; Enunciation: “koon lev”), which means to “prepare,
establish, or fix his heart” on something. It speaks to a deep, intentional
devotion.
Memory Verse: Ezra 8:22 (WEB): “For I was ashamed to ask of
the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the
way, because we had spoken to the king, saying, ‘The hand of our God is on all
those who seek him, for good; but his power and his wrath is against all those
who forsake him.’” This passage shows Ezra’s profound trust in God. He chose to
rely on God’s protection rather than worldly power, demonstrating a faith that
was willing to risk it all for God’s glory.
Application: As a boy who raised sheep, I learned that you
can’t always count on a fence to protect your flock. You must be vigilant. Just
like the exiles, we will face opposition when we try to do God’s work. The key
is to not get discouraged, but to put our faith in Him. Ezra’s example teaches
us to “kun leb,” to intentionally fix our hearts on God’s Word and trust in His
protective hand, rather than relying on our own resources.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Readings: Ezra 9:1–10:44; Nehemiah 1:1–2:20
Summary: We begin with Ezra’s grief over the Israelites’
intermarriage with foreign peoples, a violation of God’s covenant. Ezra’s
prayer of repentance is a model for corporate confession. We then pivot to the
book of Nehemiah, where we are introduced to the cupbearer to the king who
hears of the broken down walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s profound grief and
prayerful response lead to his mission to rebuild the walls.
Christophanies or Christoglyphs: Ezra’s prayer of confession is a Christoglyph
of Christ, our ultimate intercessor, who prays for us. The broken walls of
Jerusalem symbolize the brokenness and sin of humanity. Nehemiah, a man of
action and prayer, is a type of Christ who comes to restore and rebuild what is
broken, bringing protection and order back to His people. As John Wesley wrote,
“Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but
God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone
will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth.”
Nehemiah fits this description perfectly.
Key Words: The phrase “the words of God” in Nehemiah 1:6
is divrey Yahweh (דִּבְרֵי יַהְוֶה;
Enunciation: “div-RAY yah-WEH”). This highlights the importance of God’s Word
as the foundation for Nehemiah’s prayer and action. The word “wall” in Nehemiah
2:17 is chomah (חוֹמָה;
Enunciation: “kho-MAH”), which symbolizes security, identity, and separation
from the world.
Memory Verse: Nehemiah 2:17 (WEB) - “Then I said to them, ‘You
see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are
burned with fire. Come, let’s build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no
longer be a reproach.’“
Application: I was in the Air Force for four years, and I
know a thing or two about needing a good perimeter. A broken fence leaves you
vulnerable. When our spiritual fences—our moral boundaries, our prayer life,
our commitment to God’s Word—are down, we become susceptible to attack. This
reading reminds us of the need for both repentance and action. Like Nehemiah,
we must confess our sins and get to work rebuilding the broken places in our
lives, our families, and our communities.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
Readings: Nehemiah 3:1–7:3
Summary: This reading details the rebuilding of the
walls of Jerusalem. It’s a very practical, almost administrative list of who
worked on which section. It’s a powerful picture of a community coming
together, each person contributing their part to a common goal. We see the
names of individuals and families who worked side by side, facing constant
ridicule and threats from their enemies. Nehemiah leads with wisdom, faith, and
a sword at his side.
Christophanies or Christoglyphs: The communal effort to rebuild the walls is a
Christoglyph of the Church. As Don Thorsen would say, the Church is “a
community of disciples, called to share in the mission of God.” Each person has
a unique and vital part to play. The threats from Sanballat and Tobiah are a
constant reminder of the spiritual warfare we face when we do God’s work.
Key Words: Nehemiah 4:6 (WEB): “So we built the wall; and
all the wall was joined together to half its height; for the people had a mind
to work.” The phrase “had a mind to work” is the Hebrew leb na’aseh (לֵב נַעֲשֶׂה; Enunciation: “lev nah-ah-SEH”), which
means “a heart to do.” It speaks to a willing and eager spirit.
Memory Verse: Nehemiah 6:3 (WEB) - “I sent messengers to
them, saying, ‘I am doing a great work, so that I can’t come down. Why should
the work cease while I leave it and come down to you?’“ This is a powerful
declaration from Nehemiah, showing his focus and determination in the face of
distraction. As Michael Heiser points out, the enemies of God are always trying
to get us to “come down” from the work we are called to do.
Application: This passage takes me back to my farming days
in Wisconsin. There’s an old saying: “Many hands make light work.” When you’re
building a fence or bringing in the hay, everyone has to pitch in. Nehemiah’s
leadership reminds me of a good foreman who keeps everyone focused on the task.
This is a lesson for us today: we all have a part to play in building up God’s
kingdom. We can’t let the distractions or the opposition from the world get us
to “come down” from the great work God has called us to do.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Readings: Nehemiah 7:4–8:12
Summary: The walls are completed! The reading begins
with a census of the returning exiles, a practical and necessary step to
organize the city. But the heart of this reading is in chapter 8, where Ezra,
the scribe, reads the Law to the people. This is a moment of deep spiritual
revival. The people respond with tears of repentance and then with great joy,
as they are reminded that the “joy of Yahweh is your strength.”
Christophanies or Christoglyphs: The reading of the Law by Ezra is a
Christoglyph of Christ as the fulfillment of the Law. The people’s emotional
response—weeping at their sin—is a powerful picture of the conviction of the
Holy Spirit. The subsequent celebration and joy are a prefiguring of the joy
found in the Gospel. Adam Clarke commented on this passage, “The sorrow of the
people was a godly sorrow, which leads to repentance.”
Key Words: The word “joy” in Nehemiah 8:10 is chedvah (חֶדְוָה; Enunciation: “khed-VAH”). It’s a deep,
communal joy that comes from a renewed relationship with God, not from a
fleeting emotion. The word “strength” in the same verse is ma’oz (מָעֹז; Enunciation: “mah-OZ”), which means “a
fortress” or “a stronghold.”
Memory Verse: Nehemiah 8:10 (WEB) - “Then he said to them, ‘Go
your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom
nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Don’t be grieved, for
the joy of Yahweh is your strength.’“
Application: When I think about this moment, I think about
my wife, Carol, and how much joy she brings to our family. Just like the
Israelites, we can get so focused on our failures that we forget the joy of the
Lord. We are reminded that our strength doesn’t come from our own efforts but
from the deep, abiding joy that comes from being in right relationship with
God. This joy is a fortress that protects us from our circumstances. We should
always remember that true strength is found in the joy of the Lord.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Readings: Nehemiah 8:13–10:39
Summary: The revival continues as the people discover
the Feast of Tabernacles in the Law. They joyfully celebrate it, living in
booths as a reminder of their journey and God’s faithfulness. This is followed
by a solemn covenant renewal, where the people, led by their leaders, vow to
obey God’s law. This is a moment of deep commitment and dedication to God’s
plan and purposes for their lives.
Christophanies or Christoglyphs: The Feast of Tabernacles is a powerful
Christoglyph of Christ’s presence among us. It’s a celebration of God “tabernacling”
or dwelling with His people, which Jesus did in the flesh (John 1:14). The
covenant renewal is a Christoglyph of the New Covenant in Christ, where we are
brought into a new, eternal covenant with God through His sacrifice.
Key Words: The word “covenant” in Nehemiah 9:38 is berith
(בְּרִית; Enunciation: “beh-REET”). It signifies a
binding, sacred agreement between two parties. In this context, it is a formal
renewal of their relationship with God. The word “vow” in Nehemiah 10:29 is
shaba (שָׁבַע; Enunciation: “shah-VAH”), which literally
means “to swear” or “to make an oath.”
Memory Verse: Nehemiah 9:38 (WEB) - “Because of all this, we
make a firm covenant and write it; and our princes, our Levites, and our
priests seal it.”
Application: I was in band in high school, and I know that
when everyone is playing their part, the music is beautiful. When someone is
off, it’s a mess. A covenant is like that—everyone has to be committed and play
their part. The people of Israel made a “collective vow” to follow God. It’s a
reminder that our faith is not just a private matter; it’s a communal
commitment. We must hold each other accountable to the promises we make to God.
When I was in the Air Force during Basic Training if someone “messed up” we
were all punished. It seemed unfair at the time, but as I have aged I realized
it forced us to be accountable one to another.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Readings: Nehemiah 11:1–12:26; 1 Chronicles 9:1b-34
Summary: The reading details the resettlement of
Jerusalem and the surrounding towns, a practical final step in the city’s
restoration. We then shift to 1 Chronicles, which provides a genealogical list
of the people who returned from exile. This is a powerful reminder that all of
this work was for a purpose—to restore God’s people to their land and to
prepare for the coming of the Messiah.
Christophanies or Christoglyphs: The resettlement of Jerusalem and the detailed
genealogy are a Christoglyph of God’s redemptive plan. God is not just
concerned with big, dramatic events; He is also concerned with the small
details, the names, and the families that make up His people. He is preparing a
people for the coming of His Son. The genealogy of 1 Chronicles shows the
meticulous nature of God’s plan and His faithfulness to His promises.
Key Words: The word “gates” in Nehemiah 11:19 is sha’ar (שַׁעַר; Enunciation: “shah-AHR”), which
represents not only a physical entrance but also the place of authority,
justice, and community. The fact that the gates were restored means that the
city had been fully re-established.
Memory Verse: Nehemiah 12:27 (WEB) - “At the dedication of
the wall of Jerusalem, they sought the Levites out of all their places, to
bring them to Jerusalem, to celebrate the dedication with gladness, both with
giving thanks and with singing, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and with
harps.”
Application: When I taught fiber optics, I learned that a
tiny, almost invisible glass optical core, just a little bigger than one of
your red blood cells, could carry massive amounts of information. It’s the
little details that make the whole system work. This reading reminds me of
that. God’s plan is so detailed that He knows every person and every family.
Even the genealogies, which we might find boring, are a reminder of His
faithfulness. They show that every person has a purpose in His great redemptive
story. Our work, no matter how small or insignificant it seems, is part of a
much bigger divine plan.
