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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: Nehemiah 9:32-10:39
- Poetry/Prophecy: Zechariah 4:1-5:11
- New Testament: Luke 20:1-20:26
In Nehemiah, the people sign a written covenant to observe the laws of God, keep themselves pure, and support the work of the temple.
In Zechariah, the vision expands to include imagery suggesting that Zerubbabel will complete his work of rebuilding God’s temple. Zechariah then sees a huge flying scroll which represents a curse traveling across the whole earth. Then a woman in a basket, who represents evil, is given a temple in Babylonia as her residence.
And in Luke, Jesus is asked questions about the source of his authority. He tells the parable of the rented vineyard. The temple leaders take umbrage and send spies to trip Jesus up over a question of taxation and loyalty. This attempt fails.
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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: Nehemiah 8:9-9:31
- Poetry/Prophecy: Zechariah 2:1-3:10
- New Testament: Luke 19:29-19:48
In Nehemiah, the people alternately celebrate and mourn before God. As they are carrying out their religious observance, the Levites recapitulate the journey of the people of God, from the covenant with Abraham to the apportionment of the Promised Land. The Levites remark on God’s patience and mercy in the face of the people’s “atrocious blasphemies.”
In Zechariah, the vision of Zechariah continues with the appearance of an angelic messenger who is to announce the deliverance of Zion and the punishment of surrounding nations. Zechariah then sees Joshua the high priest forgiven and cleansed by God, despite the accusations leveled by Satan.
And in Luke, Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly on the back of a colt. He drives out those selling things in the temple courts.
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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: Nehemiah 7:1-8:8
- Poetry/Prophecy: Zechariah 1:1-1:21
- New Testament: Luke 19:11-19:28
In Nehemiah, we read a retelling of some of the content of Ezra: a genealogy of those who returned, and a retelling of the story of the people listening to the law of Moses read aloud.
We begin the book of Zechariah, with Zechariah relating a vision he is shown by God: four horses, four horns, and four blacksmiths.
And in Luke, Jesus tells the parable of a nobleman who is made king. His citizens don’t like him (and are later punished). His servants are given some of his money to invest while he is away, and do so with varying degrees of success.
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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: Nehemiah 6:1-6:19
- Poetry/Prophecy: Haggai 1:1-2:23
- New Testament: Luke 18:31-19:10
In Nehemiah, Sanballat and Tobiah again try to intimidate the wall builders. Even Nehemiah’s own people try to sow discord. In spite of all of this, the wall building is completed in just 52 days.
We read the book of Haggai in its entirety. In it, God urges the people to rebuild His temple, and promises them prosperity and vindication.
And in Luke, Jesus heals a blind beggar who calls out in faith. Jesus then dines with Zaccheus – a tax collector and a sinner!
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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: Nehemiah 4:6-5:19
- Poetry/Prophecy: Zephaniah 3:1-3:20
- New Testament: Luke 18:9-18:30
In Nehemiah, the gaps in the wall around Jerusalem are closed up, but the workers are hyper-vigilant against attacks by the surrounding leaders, keeping their weapons within arm’s reach. Some of the Jews accuse their brethren of charging them steep interest on loans used to buy food, and Nehemiah forces the more affluent to promise not to take advantage of the poor.
We complete the book of Zephaniah. The people of God are told to look forward to the day when they need no longer fear because of the redemptive work of their God.
And in Luke, Jesus presents a parable where a tax collector, and not a seemingly righteous Pharisee, ends up finding God. Jesus then confront a rich ruler who has a hard time parting with his wealth.
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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: Nehemiah 3:1-4:5
- Poetry/Prophecy: Zephaniah 2:1-2:15
- New Testament: Luke 17:20-18:8
In Nehemiah, the returned exiles are rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, with different people, families, and organizations each rebuilding their part of the wall. The local Gentile governor and his cronies mock the Jews, and Nehemiah asks God to punish this discouragement.
In Zephaniah, God promises that the remnant of His people – small though it may be – will one day plunder the nations that once mocked and ransacked them.
And in Luke, Jesus talks about the day of the Son of Man, and of God’s desire to give His people justice. Are these two things related?
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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: Nehemiah 1:1-2:20
- Poetry/Prophecy: Zephaniah 1:1-1:18
- New Testament: Luke 17:1-17:19
We begin the book of Nehemiah with Nehemiah, the cupbearer of King Artaxerxes of Persia, asking his boss for permission to go to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls. Artaxerxes agrees, and Nehemiah goes, inspects the wall, and convinces the exiles already in Jerusalem to help accomplish this vision, despite the protests of local Gentile leaders.
We begin the book of Zephaniah. It begins with God promising judgment on the nation of Judah (and on the earth as a whole) due to the corruption and disbelief of the people, beginning with the unfaithfulness of the leadership.
In Luke, Jesus talks about forgiveness, faith, and our role as God’s slaves. Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one – a Samaritan – returns and thanks him.
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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: Ezra 10:16-10:44
- Poetry/Prophecy: Habakkuk 2:1-3:19
- New Testament: Luke 16:1-16:31
We complete the book of Ezra with a list of the men who had taken foreign wives. They all agree to send away these wives and any children they have had with them.
We complete the book of Habakkuk. God verifies that he will punish the Babylonians, because of their greed, even more harshly than He will punish His own people. Habakkuk then writes a prayer or psalm reflecting on His experience of the Divine Warrior.
And in Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the dishonest manager, warns about the impossibility of serving both God and money, and tells the parable of Lazarus and the rich man.
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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: Ezra 9:1-10:15
- Poetry/Prophecy: Habakkuk 1:1-1:17
- New Testament: Luke 15:11-15:32
In Ezra, the leaders of the exiles become concerned about intermarriage with the surrounding peoples. All the men are ordered to send away their wives and children in order to purge the land from foreign – and presumably idolatrous – influences.
We begin the book of Habakkuk with the prophet wishing that God would visit judgment on His people for their unfaithfulness. God reveals that this is exactly what He will do, using the Babylonians as His instrument. This punishment seemingly can’t come soon enough for Habakkuk’s liking.
And in Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son.
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Scripture Readings:
- Old Testament: Ezra 8:1-8:36
- Poetry/Prophecy: Nahum 3:1-3:19
- New Testament: Luke 14:25-15:10
In Ezra, we read the genealogies of those who accompany Ezra to Jerusalem and hear some of the particulars of their journey.
We complete the book of Nahum with the promise of utter destruction for Nineveh. Nineveh is mockingly invited to do her best to resist, but is promised that resistance will be futile.
And in Luke, Jesus advises his disciples to count the cost of following him. He then says that there is rejoicing in heaven over a single sinner who repents. The Pharisees are not amused.
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