 and Nehemiah (Yahveh comforts) are essentially a shadow and summary of God's redemption plan and the re...){kind=link}
The books of Ezra (help or aid) and Nehemiah (Yahveh comforts) are essentially a shadow and summary of God's redemption plan and the response of the redeemed.
It is the story of the Holy Spirit at work.
It is the story of the precious Holy Spirit testifying and teaching the very being of our Father: "And they sang together
by course in praising and giving thanks unto יהוה; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised יהוה, because the foundation of the house of יהוה was laid." Ezr 3:11
by course in praising and giving thanks unto יהוה; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised יהוה, because the foundation of the house of יהוה was laid." Ezr 3:11
What is the background?
In a historic sense it describes the details of the redemption of Israel (those who have power in Elohim) from Babylon (confusion by mixture); the restoration of the people's dignity; the restoration of the City of Peace (Jerusalem); the purification, restoration and consecration of the dwelling place of God (temple - us); the restoration of the kingship and holy priesthood; reconciliation with God; and the successful defeating of the enemy.
All of that?
Go read it. It is all there.
Yet, the response of a portion of the redeemed is astounding.
You always get them - those who go off and sleep with the enemy in spite of the great redemption, in spite of the overwhelming cloud of witnesses and the Helper and comforter speaking loudly and clearly into their hearts, personally.
There are always those who yearn for Babylon (confusion by mixture), for mixture of Grace with what the enemy presents as obligation (work according to the law so that you may attain).
... and those who deny the gift?
The book of Nehemiah ends with the conclusion clearly prophesied: "And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me." Neh 13:28
What?
Let's check it out. I'll expound in brackets (like I usually do):
And one of the sons of Joiada (Yahveh knows, meaning this person was known by Yahveh and knew Yahveh himself - intimacy), the son of Eliashib (Elohim restored, meaning that God restored this person) the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat (the enemy himself. Sanballat means strength ... own strength and willpower ... self-righteousness) the Horonite (two caves or rather the crevice of a serpent; the cell of a prison according to Strong's concordance, and the double-mindedness referred to by James in 1:8 & 4:8) ...
And what did the comforter do?
... therefore I chased him from me.
Dude, that sounds serious!
But here is the Gospel.
There are those that know better, like God's Beloved (David). These are the ones who know that any mixture is deadly. These are the ones who would rather rest assured that God is Good, the He is all that I need, that God remembers not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O יהוה. Psa 25:7
... according to whose goodness?
" ... thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness"!
And the end?
The book of Nehemiah ends with these words: "Remember me, O my Elohim, for good"
Whose goodness?
HalleluYAH!