Ezra’s Call for Fasting and Dedication

Ezra 8 starts with a genealogy, goes to finding Levites in the middle, and from verses 21-36, we read Ezra’s calling for fasting and dedication. A time for fasting and dedication goes for this reason. Verses 21-23 give us an introduction to Ezra’s calling for fasting at the Ahava River. For the location of Ahava, the river isn’t exactly known and may have a different name today. Some commentators believe that Ahava was one of the streams of numerous canals of Mesopotamia that communicated with the Euphrates. Robert Jamieson, a co-author of the Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible comments that it was perhaps the place appointed for general rendezvous in the neighborhood of the town of the same name. The emigrants encamped there for three days, according to Eastern custom, while the preparations for the departure were being completed and Ezra was arranging the order of the caravan.

Ezra’s Genealogy in Ezra 8 and the Quest for Levites

I tend to dislike reading through genealogies. Some people are mentioned in the Bible and don’t get much exposition. Ezra 8:1-4 is another of those genealogical entries, like in 1 Chronicles and Ezra 2. However, the importance of statistics is that it keeps a record. Sure, it’s boring for some to read through them. What we see is that Ezra is highly particular about details. Rather than skip it, the commentaries can provide insights into the commentaries. Commentaries would help me appreciate the need to read through genealogies. The more I read commentaries, the more I see the necessity of genealogical records.

God’s Providence in Artaxerxes I Longimaus’ Decree

I’d like to say I’m glad I left the KJV-only movement. Sadly, the KJV tends to lack sub-headings which makes it difficult to do some pausing. I decided to use the NIV with its sub-headings to focus on topics. This time, the lesson is on Artaxerxes I Longimanus’ decree, a decree given by providence. The first permission was by Cyrus the Great. Now, it was given by Darius the Great. Now, we have another one namely Artaxerxes I Longimanus, son of Xerxes. I might have to reread Providence is Enough by Pastor Mel Caparros of Living Word Christian Church when I study Esther. This letter was written sometime after the events in Esther. Some believe that Esther was the mother of Artaxerxes I Longimanus. If so, this Artaxerxes I Longimanus may have become a believer in Yahweh. I can’t be certain enough though.

Understanding More on Paul Washer’s Stance on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in This Day and Age

While I’m still stuck with Ezra 7, I’d like to share Pastor Paul David Washer’s statement on spiritual gifts and tongues. I was listening to this and there are times when supernatural intervention happens. When I was nearly hit by the truck, I felt like the hand of God was there and not random luck. I was listening to this answer by Washer, the statement about Baptist missionaries and Presbyterian missionaries (back then, I always assumed Calvinist equals Presbyterian) speaking of unusual things that happened during evangelistic missions.

I Used to Own a Copy of “The Children’s Bible” by Juan Marques Suriñach

As I was digging up some history lessons, I recall getting this book called The Children’s Bible after I had my first communion. It’s a Roman Catholic publication by Sinagtala Publishers. Currently, Juan Marques Suriñach is already in his 90s, and he’s still alive, unlike Benedict XVI. Right now, I’ve already lost my own personal copy of this book so I can’t recall everything written into it. A description given by Sinagtala Publisher’s blog says this:

Provides lessons and resolutions with colored illustrations based on sound and complete doctrine from the Creation of Man to the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin.

My First Confession (Before Communion) as a Catholic

Before I continue studying the Book of Ezra, I’d like to recall this manual I had when I was still a Catholic, by default. By then, family troubles got worse and I wondered if becoming a priest might provide an answer. Secretly, I wanted to become a Catholic priest. That’s probably why I kept watching EWTN and the Family Rosary Crusade. I was told that I should become a priest. I remember my first confession and the seriousness of sin. There was a guide and I soon thought confessing would clean me of my sin. Unfortunately, my attitude only got worse. I was tuning in to Father Patrick Peyton’s show whenever I could, hoping to squash whatever worldly desires I had.

Knowing More About Artaxerxes I Longimanus

I find myself stuck in Ezra 7. There’s the letter of Artaxerxes I Longimanus that needs to be studied. To do so, studying history with the Bible is absolutely recommended. That was the style the late D. James Kennedy employed in writing his book Why I Believe. I’d look at some secular sources to look into the life of Artaxerxes I, to further understand his letter to the Jews and his relations to Ezra and Nehemiah.