JEWISH VOICE BLOG

May 25, 2020

Who remains among you who saw this House in its former glory? So how do you see it now? Does it not seem as nothing in comparison in your eyes? …The treasures of all the nations will come, and I will fill this House with glory, says Adonai-Tzva'ot…The glory of this latter House will be greater than the former," says Adonai-Tzva'ot." —Haggai 2:3, 7,9 Life in Jerusalem was being rebuilt after disaster. Expectations were high. In short order, the altar was built and sacrifices began. It w...

May 25, 2020

"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Torah of Adonai (the Law of the Lord) and to do it, and to teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel" (Ezra 7:10). Ezra prepared His heart to seek God's Word, to do it and to teach it. Notice what this Scripture doesn't say. It doesn't say: "Ezra prepared his heart to be the leader of a great revival." Or, "Ezra prepared his heart to be well-known and respected enough for kings and people in places of authority to know and call on him for great a...

May 25, 2020

“Therefore tell them, thus says Adonai-Tzva'ot, 'Return to Me' – it is a declaration of Adonai-Tzva'ot – 'and I will return to you,' says Adonai-Tzva'ot.” —Zechariah 1:3 The prophets had spoken to the Jewish people of Judah and now as exiles in Babylon: Return to Jerusalem! Check Rebuild the Temple! Check Return to the Lord! Check Things are looking good for the Jewish people of the 5th and 6th centuries. Better than they've looked in a long time. Yet by the time we r...

May 25, 2020

Hope implies an expectation of something good. When you and I hope for something, we have at least a slight expectation that it will happen. When it comes to our faith, hope is the confident expectation that what God has promised will come to pass, and the strength of our hope rests in His faithfulness alone. There have always been seasons of hope and expectation in the history of Israel, and they have often been sandwiched in the midst of troublesome times. We've seen this in the story of E...

May 25, 2020

"Thus says Adonai-Tzva'ot: 'This people say the time has not come - the time for the House of Adonai to be rebuilt. Then Haggai, the messenger of Adonai, spoke to the people with the message of Adonai, "I am with you!" - it is a declaration of Adonai. Then Adonai stirred the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people, and they came and did work on the House of Adonai-Tzva'ot the...

May 25, 2020

“Now in the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in order to accomplish the word of Adonai from the mouth of Jeremiah, Adonai stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia…” (Ezra 1:1). Ancient Israel had a hope: to return to the Land God had promised to give her. Yet, she had been in exile in Babylon for so long that I’m sure the hope of many began to wane, if not completely disappear. Those who were old enough to have witnessed it told the story to their children and grandchildren. Family ...

May 25, 2020

For thus says Adonai: “After 70 years for Babylon are complete, I will visit you, and fulfill My good word toward you – to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans that I have in mind for you,” declares Adonai, “plans for shalom and not calamity – to give you a future and a hope. —Jeremiah 29:10-11 God's plans for His people are often deeper than we know or can figure out, but they are not a mystery to Him. He knows them, and He knows them well. Speaking to those who would g...

May 24, 2020

And pray in the Ruach (Spirit) on every occasion, with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, keep alert with perseverance and supplication for all the kedoshim (saints). —Ephesians 6:18 The Apostle Paul wrote four letters, known as the prison epistles, while he was under house arrest in Rome. These letters, three to groups of Believers and one to an individual, contain words of instruction, correction, encouragement and hope. Paul set his mind on building up the followers...

May 23, 2020

Working from home is one of the biggest changes to my life over the last few months. I’ve found that little things like stopping for my morning coffee, complaining about traffic, and listening to my favorite morning talk show bring me joy. One thing I don’t miss is picking out what I’m going to wear every day. I’m challenged when it comes to fashion ☹. Despite my struggle and even though I’m working from home; I still get dressed every day. The action helps me prepare my mind to work and I’m rea...

May 22, 2020

My home is a little bit busier now. It has become an event center, an office and conference room, a school (high school and college), a playground, movie theatre and so much more. Not that long ago, most of these activities happened somewhere else. Almost every day is starting to look the same and all the activities are beginning to mix together into a symphony of busyness. Make the most of your time because the days are evil. For this reason, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord...