Sermons and Biblical Studies

Job and the Poetical Books Volume 5 Preface In presenting to the Public the first volume of an Evening Series of the Daily Bible Illustrations, it is not necessary to remind the reader of the plan of the Work, which has already been fully explained and exemplified. The successive Volumes of the former Series took … Continue reading ““421. JOB AND THE POETICAL BOOKS””

Providence—Esther 3-10 The great man of the day in the Persian court was Haman, belonging to that nation—the Amalekites—the hereditary grudge and hatred between whom and the Jews the reader will remember. We the rather point to this circumstance, because it seems to us to supply the true explanation of the most important circumstances in … Continue reading ““420. PROVIDENCE—ESTHER 3-10””

The Persian Court—Esther 1-2 Nehemiah was not the only Jew who rose to high office at the Persian court. A still higher office than his, even that of prime minister, had, before him, and even before Ezra, been held by Mordecai. The deeply interesting story of the chain of providential circumstances by which this man … Continue reading ““419. THE PERSIAN COURT—ESTHER 1-2””

Abuses Rectified—Nehemiah 5, 13 Nehemiah’s high office, as royal cup-bearer, was not only most honorable, but must have been highly lucrative. This is shown by the fact that he was able, probably without any serious detriment to his fortune, to gratify his own generous and patriotic feelings by declining to receive the dues and supplies … Continue reading ““418. ABUSES RECTIFIED—NEHEMIAH 5, 13””

The Walls of Jerusalem—Nehemiah 1-5 The decree of Cyrus, in behalf of the Jews, had reference only to the building of the temple. But, in the East, it is so important that a town of any consequence should be surrounded by a wall—and, in the case of the returned captives, it was of such special … Continue reading ““417. THE WALLS OF JERUSALEM—NEHEMIAH 1-5””

Ezra—Ezra 7-10 One would hardly expect, from the zeal with which the work of rebuilding the temple was commenced, that nearly twenty years passed before it was completed. Various circumstances co-operated to produce this slowness. First, the opposition of the people around, and particularly of the Samaritans, who at first wished to be allowed to … Continue reading ““416. EZRA—EZRA 7-10””

The Restoration—Ezra 1-3 It had been foretold by the prophet Jeremiah, that, at the expiration of seventy years—dating, it would seem, from the first expatriation under Jehoiachin—the captive Jews should return to their own land; and before that, Isaiah had predicted that this should take place under an unborn king called Cyrus, of whom high … Continue reading ““415. THE RESTORATION—EZRA 1-3””

The End—2Ch_36:13-16 The author of the books of Chronicles, approaching the close of his history, indulges us with some reflections on the causes of the catastrophe which he relates. This is unusual in Scripture history, where, commonly, the facts are recorded, and the reader is left to his own reflections—unless where a prophet, priest, or … Continue reading ““414. THE END—2 CHRONICLES 36:13-16””

Ezra-Esther: Fifty-Second Week Autor: JOHN KITTO

The Last Reign—2Ki_24:17-20; 2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36 Although Nebuchadnezzar set up a king, he left him but little more than the shadow of a throne to sit on. All the treasures of the temple, as well as of the palace, were taken, and even the golden vessels that remained in the house of … Continue reading ““412. THE LAST REIGN—2 KINGS 24:17-20; 25; 2 CHRONICLES 36””