Cyrus’ Proclamation for the Nation of Israel

After doing some basic research on Cyrus, I feel it’s time to start digging into the proclamation. If those were sermons, Part 1 would focus on Cyrus as a person in a topical sermon. This would be Part 2 of the sermon where expository preaching will be used. Knowing historical details is important. Now, I feel it’s time to expound more on Ezra Chapter 1 on the proclamation of Cyrus. I would like to write about the proclamation that will allow the Israelites to begin their restoration. The Jewish nation was about to be restored. Though, we would read that not all Jews had returned, such as what happened in the Book of Esther. However, we’ll talk about that some other day.

Getting to Know Cyrus the Great in the Book of Ezra

I’d never thought I’d be able to finish the topical posts on the kings of Israel and Judah. I want to devote myself to blogging expositorily. Fortunately, I’ve had several digital commentaries (but I want to have hard copies soon) from the Tecarta Bible application. After reading through 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, and 2 Chronicles–we get Ezra. Ezra opens up with the note of the proclamation of Cyrus. In studying the Bible, it’s important to know about history. I really wish I could get Flavius Josephus’ book The Antiquities of the Jews. Dr. John F MacArthur also has his study Bible. The late Vernon McGee has his Thru the Bible Commentary. I would read through both to get to know about Cyrus the Great.

Jehoiachin’s Release from Prison

After Zedekiah’s sad and sorry story, we can read another case. 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Jeremiah have a peculiar note of Jehoiachin’s release at age 55. It was during the 37th year of exile for the Judeans. Jeconiah or Jehoiachin was released from prison at the age of 55. I could imagine how Jehoiachin was probably expecting to die in prison. I think of the Boysen commercial way back in the 2000s. There was the prisoner who was locked up young and grew old in prison. Sure, it was a funny skit but it’s not funny if it happens to you or a loved one. The king after Nebuchadnezzar and before Belshazzar was Awel-Marduk, also known as Evilmerodach or Ewilmerodach. The king decided to release Jehoiachin to gain the favor of the Jews in exile. The dynasty of David survived even with the curse of Jeconiah. Sure, the kingdom of David is not yet back but we can read of God’s faithfulness.

Zedekiah the Spineless Last King of Judah and Josiah’s Biggest Failure as a Father

After the curse of Jeconiah, we have the last king under whom Jeremiah prophesied. The account of Zedekiah (who was 21 years old when he began to reign) can be found in 2 Kings 24:18-25:1-7 and 2 Chronicles 36:11-21. Details of what Zedekiah did can also be found in Jeremiah 27-28, 32, 34, 37-39, and a summary is recapped in Jeremiah 52. The line of the Messiah was through Jeconiah aka Jehoiachin. Zedekiah’s line was later purged as his own sons were murdered right in front of him. It was because Zedekiah eventually rebelled in contrast to the warnings sent to him by Jeremiah. It’s believed that Apries (also called Hophra) of Egypt influenced Zedekiah to revolt against Babylon (Zedekiel 17:15-18).

Yes, Grace CAN Be Resisted But God Can Break Down Resistance

Critics of Calvinism or Reformed Theology say that grace can be resisted. However, I’d like to defend the doctrine of grace, Irresistible Grace. People can resist the grace of God but God can overcome that resistance. Grace can be offered and people reject it. I read the message of salvation when I wasn’t saved. One of them was from the pocket-sized Gideon’s New Testament Bible. I was left in utter confusion being in a Christian school and I was Catholic by default. I even wondered why there was a small swimming pool. Sadly, several alumni grow up in a Christian school but are still unsaved. This proves that many are called but only a few are chosen.

Second Birth Through Catholic Infant Baptism?

Yesterday was the anniversary of the Diet of Worms. I thought about what if I became a Catholic priest. I did have thoughts of entering the Roman Catholic priesthood around 7-9 years old. At some point, I thought of becoming a priest to get the answers. Another issue I want to tackle is infant baptism. I heard the old saying that goes, “From womb to tomb, you still pay.” Infant baptism is just the beginning of the dirty business. I even thought that if ever I had become a priest before, I might also have been in trouble for baptizing an infant without receiving a stipulation. Sure, some Protestant groups practice infant baptism (such as the Presbyterians). I would like to write about infant baptism at this point.

Reflections on James 4:11-12 Against Wrongly Judging One’s Neighbor

Christians are told to judge righteous judgment. The problem spoken about is the judgmental personality. It’s very easy for Christians to be judgmental in a world gone wrong. That’s why there’s the command to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. The Pharisees were known for their being separate but they were also hypocrites. Christians are told to live upright lives but they aren’t immune from the leaven of the Pharisees either. James 4:11-12 gives the command of not speaking evil against one another. The Greek word is kataleo, which means to slander. Slander is to give false accusations. In a world gone wrong, it’s also very easy to slander someone while seeking for justice.