Saul Weinreb - Let the Prophets Speak

Nehemiah 7 - A Census Review

Nehemiah completes the walls of the city, and finds the city to be sparsely populated and lacking housing.  He begins a full census review to determine the families presents, where they live, and their numbers.  The chapter ends as the month of the high holidays approaches, and its time for the people to gather in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 6 - The Enemy Within

Nehemiah has to contend with enemy spies, and all sorts of creative but evil plans to weaken his leadership.  They will stop at nothing to break his will and ruin his ability to lead, but Nehemiah outsmarts them and doesn't fall for their tricks.

Nehemiah 5 - Economic Justice

In one of the most powerful and instructive chapters of Nehemiah, we read of the economic inequality that plagued the people of Judah, and Nehemiah's response.  We learn of economic justice, how respect for God leads to doing the right thing, and how these issues issues can only be addressed through honest and transparent leadership.

Nehemiah 4 - The Jewish Defense Force

Nehemiah teaches us how a Jew is supposed to defend him/herself. Pray to God, give credit to God, then develop a strategy, take up your weapons and fight!  We learn how Nehemiah developed his strategy, how he gathered intelligence, and how he never stopped building Jerusalem despite the threats.

Nehemiah 3 - The Walls Of Jerusalem Are Rebuilt

Despite the taunts and cynicism and threats of Sanvalat and his cohorts, Nehemiah restores the people's morale.  Everyone, including the leaders, government officials and even the women get together and rebuild the city.

Nehemiah 2b - A Midnight Tour

Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem, and he conducts a midnight survey of the city of Jerusalem.  Finding the city in a state of awful disrepair, he encourages the people to find the courage and strength to rebuild.  The opposition doesn't take it so well, however, and they begin to challenge Nehemiah and his project.

Nehemiah 2a - Nehemiah Petitions the King

The echoes of Queen Esther and her confrontation with Artexerxes father can be heard in this petition of Nehemiah before the King.  While plying the King with drink party, Nehemiah beseeches him and asks for permission to go to Judea and rebuild the city of his fathers.

Nehemiah 1 - Bad News Arrives in the Capital

We learn of a new important figure, Nehemiah, a Jew who is highly placed in the court of King Artaxerxes.  His brother comes to the capital Shushan with bad news from Jerusalem.  The city is in ruins, and the people are depressed and downtrodden.  Nehemiah takes action, he prays to God, and prepares himself to convince the King to support a renewal of building.

Ezra 10b - Solving the Intermarriage Dilemma Part 2

We learn the details Shechaniah's solution to the problem, which Ezra implements.  A system of courts is set up in every town to review every case of intermarriage one by one.  Women that were willing to join God's covenant are then welcomed into their families.  Those who would rather remain idolaters and continue their abominable customs, had to be divorced and sent back to their families.  Fortunately, only a small minority of families had to be broken up, though many were from very prominent families.

Ezra 10a - Solving the Intermarriage Dilemma Part 1

Shechaniah approaches Ezra and tells him that there is hope! Stop the crying and praying, get yourself together and lead us! We can do this, and we begin to learn of Shechaniah's plan to fix this problem.