DAY 263    Read Ezra 7 through 9.

Today's reading:  We now come to the third decree for restoring and rebuilding Jerusalem--seventy years after the first one by Cyrus and twenty-years after the second.  At this point Ezra led a large group of priests and Levites to Jerusalem.

Memory gem:  "The hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way"  (Ezra 8:31).

Thought for today:
The people of God had been in captivity in a foreign land for seventy years.  When the time came for them to be restored to their own land, God moved upon the heart of the great king of Persia, Cyrus, to issue a decree stating that all who wanted to return might do so.  Years later Darius the Great reaffirmed this permission with a second decree.

Finally, in order to give the returned exiles full status as a Persian province, God caused Artaxerxes I (Longimanus) to issue a third and final decree (see Ezra 6:14), enabling the Jews to complete the restoration.  A copy of his decree to this effect is found in Ezra 7:12-26.  This royal pronouncement decreed the restoration and rebuilding of Jerusalem as well as restoration of civil government to the land.

According to the seventh chapter of Ezra, this decree was issued in the seventh year of Artaxerxes' reign.  Historical records show that his seventh year of Artaxerxes was 457 B.C.  So 457 B.C. became the starting point for the seventy weeks (see Daniel 9:24-27) that were cut off for the Jewish people as a nation in Palestine under the rule of God (see the earlier discussion for this prophetic period in Daniel 9.)

Friend, you can depend on the Lord Jesus.  He is the Messiah.

NOTE:  A few dates from secular history for comparison with Bible events:
490 B.C.--Persian invaders defeated at Marathon.
483 B.C.--Vashti rejected.  The feast may well have been a strategy session to plan revenge for Marathon.
480 B.C.--Persian navy demolished at Salamis.
479 B.C.--Probable date for selection of Esther.
457 B.C.--Decree by Artaxerxes restoring civil government to the Jews.

DAY 262    Read Esther 7 through 10.

Today's reading:  Esther's courageous actions saved her people.  The shadow of doom was transformed into the assurance of life.  God's people in all ages have looked forward to final victory over the forces of evil.

Memory gem:  "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty"  (Psalm 91:1).

Thought for today:
"The trying experiences that came to God's people in the days of Esther were not peculiar to that age alone....The same spirit that in ages past led men to persecute the true church, will in the future lead to the pursuance of a similar course toward those who maintain their loyalty to God.  Even now preparations are being made for this last great conflict.

"The decree that will finally go forth against the remnant people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews....The reverence of God's people for His law is a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear of the Lord....

"Satan will arouse indignation against the minority who refuse to accept popular customs and traditions.  Men of position and reputation will join with the lawless and the vile to take counsel against the people of God.  Wealth, genius, education, will combine to cover them with contempt....On this battlefield will be fought the last great conflict in the controversy between truth and error.  And we are not left in doubt as to the issue.  Today as in the days of Esther and Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate His truth and His people."--Prophets and Kings, pp. 605, 606.

NOTE:  It is interesting to note that Esther 8:9 is the longest verse in the Bible, containing 43 Hebrew words in the original, or 192 letters.
Verse 10 mentions the animals used by the messengers.  The Hebrew words are of obscure meaning and not the ones usually denoting camels, etc.  A more likely translation is that the men were "mounted couriers riding on swift horses that were used in the king's service, bred from the royal stud" (RSV).  Verse 14 uses some of the same words.

DAY 261    Read Esther 4 through 6.

Today's reading:  The plot thickens!  The enemies of God's people almost succeeded in exterminating them.  But Esther came to the kingdom for such a time of crisis.

Memory gem:  "Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"  (Esther 4:14).

Thought for today:
"The plots of the enemy were defeated by a Power that reigns among the children of men.  In the providence of God, Esther, a Jewess who feared the Most High, had been made queen of the Medo-Persian kingdom.  Mordecai was a near relative of hers.  In their extremity, they decided to appeal to Xerxes in behalf of their people.  Esther was to venture into his presence as an intercessor.  'Who knoweth,' said Mordecai, 'whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?'...

"The crisis that Esther faced demanded quick, earnest action; but both she and Mordecai realized that unless God should work mightily in their behalf, their own efforts would be unavailing.  So Esther took time for communion with God, the source of her strength.  "Go," she directed Mordecai, 'gather together all the Jews that are present in Shoshan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish."--Prophet and Kings, p. 601.

"Through Esther the queen the Lord accomplished a mighty deliverance for His people.  At a time when it seemed that no power could save them.  Esther and the women associated with her by fasting and prayer and prompt action, met the issue, and brought salvation to their people.

"A study of women's work in connection with the cause of God in Old Testament times will teach us lessons that will enable us to meet emergencies in the work today.  We may not be brought into such a critical and prominent place as were the people of God in the time of Esther; but often converted women can act an important part in more humble positions."--Ellen G. White Comments, Seventh-day Adventist Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1140.

DAY 260    Read Esther 1 through 3.

Today's reading:  Many exiled Hebrews chose to remain in foreign lands instead of returning to Judah.  Today we find that the enemies of God's people hatch a plot to exterminate them.

Memory gem:  "Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man"  (Psalm 43:1).

Thought for today:
"Conditions in the Medo-Persia realm were rapidly changing.  Darius Hystapes, under whose reign the Jews had been shown marked favor, was succeeded by Xerxes the Great.  It was during his reign that those of the Jews who had failed of heeding the message to flee, were called upon to face a terrible crisis.  Having refused to take advantage of the way of escape God had provided, now they were brought face to face with death.

"Through Haman the Agagite, an unscrupulous man high in authority in Medo-Persia, Satan worked at this time to counterwork the purposes of God.  Haman cherished bitter malice against Mordecai, a Jew.  Mordecai had done Haman no harm, but had simply refused to show him worshipful reverence.  Scorning to "lay hands on Mordecai alone," Haman plotted "to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

"Misled by the false statements of Haman, Xerxes was induced to issue a decree providing for the massacre of all the Jews 'scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces' of the Medo-Persian kingdom.  A certain day was appointed on which the Jews were to be destroyed and their property confiscated.  Little did the king realize the far-reaching results that would have accompanied the complete carrying out of this decree.  Satan himself, the hidden instigator of the scheme, was trying to rid the earth of those who preserved the knowledge of the true God."--Prophet and Kings, pp. 660, 601.

NOTE:  The Ahasuerus of Esther has been positively identified as Xerxes (son and successor of Darius I), who reigned from 486 to 465 B.C.  (He is not the Median Ahasuerus mentioned in Daniel 9:1.)

DAY 259    Read Zechariah 10 through 14.

Today's reading:  These chapters begin with a beautiful promise of God's blessing on His people and end with a vision of hope.

Memory gem:  "Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field"  (Zechariah 10:1).

Thought for today:
Is it God's promise and design that His Spirit shall be poured out in abundant measure upon the proclamation of this everlasting gospel--poured out as the latter rain.  Too often we lack the power of the Holy Spirit in our preaching because we do not ask, we do not pray for it.  Listen to the words of the divine promise:

"For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: and they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses"  (Isaiah 44:3, 4).

I appeal especially to gospel ministers, church elders and officers of all grades, and to believers everywhere:  "Ask, and ye shall receive"  (John 16:24).  Is it not time to preach the Word, to preach Christ with power--to be loyal to Him, loyal to His Book, loyal to His truth, and loyal to His cross?  So may we claim the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in abundance, far exceeding Pentecostal days.  Its power is needed to change human hearts, to bring a new life, to bring peace to hearts now at war with themselves.  Shall we not seek that power today?

We cannot work for Christ without the Holy Spirit.  His promised representative.  Christ Himself is gone, but the Holy Spirit is here.  Let us pray for the rain--the latter rain--and then go to work, expecting our prayers to be answered and God's promises fulfilled.

DAY 258    Read Zechariah 5 through 9.

Today's reading:  Some of Zechariah's predictions (like those of other prophets) concerned the judgments of God on other nations.  We call attention to one of those predictions in the "Thought for today."

Memory gem:  "The Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land"  (Zechariah 9:16).

Thought for today:
Here is another important city which is mentioned by prophecy.  We will notice just two sentences about the city of Ashkelon which was also on the Mediterranean seacoast, in what is now the territory of the modern republic of Israel.  Today there is hardly a ruin to be seen.  Everything is hidden underground--the city has been so completely destroyed.  Let us read what the prophet Zephaniah and Zechariah say.  Remember, these prophecies were made centuries before Christ:

"Ashkelon [shall be] a desolation"  (Zephaniah 2:4).
"Ashkelon shall not be inhabited"  (Zechariah 9:5).

Ashkelon was founded 1800 years before Christ, and it was at the height of its glory while Jesus was here on earth 1800 years later.  There was certainly no sign of any impending disaster to the city for nearly 2000 years after the prophets had made their prediction at the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

This city actually grew in magnificence and power for centuries after the prediction of its destruction was made.  In A.D. 636 it passed over to the control of the Arabs.  During the Crusades it was the key to southwestern Palestine, and was finally captured by the Crusaders in 1153 after a six-month siege.  Thus it was still a powerful city fifteen centuries after the prophet foretold its destruction.

Finally, in 1270, the sultan Beibars I destroyed its fortifications and blocked its harbor with stones.  Now it has lain desolate for more than 700 years.

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Difficult or obscure words:
Zechariah 5:7.  "Talent"--literally, a round disk.  A heavy laden lid on the vessel.
Zechariah 5:8.  "It"--rather: her.

DAY 257    Read Haggai; Zechariah 1 through 4.

Today's reading:  The book of Haggai tells plainly God's message to the discouraged builders in Jerusalem.  Zechariah contains more obscure symbolism.

Memory gem:  "Be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts"  (Haggai 2:4).

Thought for today:
What is our main object in life?  What is the goal that we are trying to reach?  Where does all of our interest lie?  The most important thing in this world is not a fat bank account, large real estate holdings, or great material wealth, but being right with God and being prepared for eternity.

The Christian life is one of stewardship; for, after all, everything belongs to God.  We read in Psalm 24:1: "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein."

But God has entrusted to us that which is His, and He expects us to deal with Him as faithful stewards.  He is the One who gives us power to gain wealth, as we read in Deuteronomy 8:11, 17, 18.

Those who realize God's ownership and His divine sovereignty, return to their Maker one tenth of their increase in recognition of His ownership.  This unselfish relationship with God reveals the heart of a true partner, one who is really a laborer together with God (see 1 Corinthians 3:9).

Please don't misunderstand me.  The possession of goods or of wealth is not in itself a sin.  It is "the love of money" which "is the root of all evil"  (1 Timothy 6:10).  In a fully surrendered life, lucre is no longer king.

In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, one verse in every six deals with the money question, so it must be an important item in a person's life.  Sixteen of the twenty-nine parables narrated by Christ had to do with money.  He does not ask how much we have, but what we are doing with what we have.  He came to lift us out of our selfishness and guide our steps along the path of faith to the mount of blessing and eternal life.  So, really, money is not everything.  Christ is!

DAY 256    Read Ezra 4 through 6.

Today's reading:  Years passed.  King Cyrus died, enemies stopped the work, and the people's zeal flickered out.  Then two prophets aroused the people, and a new king issued a second work permit.  The temple was completed and dedicated.

Memory gem:  "And with them were the prophets of God helping them"  (Ezra 5:2).

Thought for today:
"Under the favor shown them by Cyrus, nearly fifty thousand of the children of the captivity had taken advantage of the decree permitting them to return.  These, however, in comparison with the hundreds of thousands scattered throughout the provinces of Medo-Persia, were but a mere remnant.  The great majority of the Israelites had chosen to remain in the land of their exile, rather than undergo the hardships of the return journey and the reestablishment of their desolated cities and homes.

"A score or more of years passed by, when a second decree quite as favorable as the first, was issued by Darius Hystaspes, the monarch then ruling.  Thus did God in mercy provide another opportunity for the Jews in the Medo-Persian realm to return to the land of their fathers.  The Lord foresaw the troublous times that were to follow during the reign of Xerxes--the Ahasuerus of the book of Esther--and He not only wrought a change of feeling in the hearts of men in authority, but also inspired Zechariah to plead with the exiles to return....

"It was still the Lord's purpose, as it had been from the beginning, that His people should be a praise in the earth, to the glory of His name.  During the long years of their exile He had given them many opportunities to return to their allegiance to Him.  Some had chosen to listen and to learn; some had found salvation in the midst of affliction."--Prophets and Kings, pp. 598. 599.

NOTE:  Verses 6 through 23 of Ezra 4 present problems.  The kings named here and the events narrated seem not to fit the natural sequence of the story.  Space limitations in this book prohibit a discussion of the problems.  Just assume that the story interrupted at the end of verse 5 resumes again with verse 24--that verses 6 through 23 describe later events which Ezra included here to round out all opposition encountered by the Jews.

DAY 255    Read 2 Chronicles 36:22, 23; Ezra 1 through 3; Psalms 85; 126.

Today's reading:  The seventy years of captivity ended, and King Cyrus permitted the exiles to return to Jerusalem.  For fifty years the city and the beautiful temple had lain in ruins.  Now a handful of loyal Israelites (most of them born in exile) would undertake a restoration.

Memory gem:  "Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land"  (Psalm 85:9).

Though for today:
"Could those who failed to rejoice at the laying of the foundation stone of the temple, have foreseen the results of their lack of faith on that day, they would have been appalled.  Little did they realize the weight of their words of disapproval and disappointment; little did they know how much their expressed dissatisfaction would delay the completion of the Lord's house.

"The magnificence of the first temple, and the imposing rites of its religious services, had been a source of pride to Israel before their captivity; but their worship had of times been lacking in those qualities which God regards as most essential.  The glory of the first temple, the splendor of its service, could not recommend them to God; for that which is alone of value in His sight, they did not offer.  They did not bring Him the sacrifice of a humble and contrite spirit....

"A congregation may be the poorest in the land.  It may be without the attractions of any outward show; but if the members possess the principles of the character of Christ, angels will unite with them in their worship.  The praise and thanksgiving from grateful hearts will ascend to God as a sweet oblation."--Prophets and Kings, pp. 565, 566.

NOTE:  The decree by King Cyrus allowing the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland was issued in 537 B.C.; the first exiles returned in 536 B.C., at the end of the seventy years.

In Scripture the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, and Esther give the only historical record of postexile Israelites.  They do not, however, cover the period exhaustively or in unbroken sequence.  Large gaps remain unknown.

The first three chapters of Ezra cover the time from the decree of Cyrus to the dedication of the rebuilt altar about two years later.

DAY 254    Read Daniel 10 through 12.

Today's reading:  The book of Daniel concludes with two remarkable chapters.  Chapter 11 foretells in remarkable detail events in Middle Eastern history down through the centuries.  Chapter 12 accurately pinpoints the scientific awakening of modern times--and then seals the prophecy until that time.

Memory gem:  "Go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days"  (Daniel 12:13).

Thought for today:
Two thousand five hundred year ago the spokesman from heaven addressed God's prophet Daniel with this announcement "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased"  (Daniel 12:4).

What an exact and amazing forecast this is of our times!  How striking the fulfillment!  Every word true to the letter, and fulfilled on time, too, as all God's prophecies are.

These last 150 years have witnessed greater changes than any thousand years of the past.  Yes, than all past history!  Formally the masses of mankind let quiet lives about their own homes; but now, by fast train, mighty steamship, automobile, motorbus, and jet plane, the multitudes "run to and fro."  Practically the entire world seems to be afflicted, or blessed, with wanderlust--aggravated by acute speeditis!

Consider this great Bible prophecy and its fulfillment.  God declared that in "the time of the end," knowledge would be increased.  And now, see the fulfillment of this prophecy in the world today.  We witness the worldwide enlightenment of mankind, free education, public school systems, state universities, free libraries, cheap newspapers, radio and television broadcasts, the most colossal pyramiding of human discovery, invention, and knowledge since the creation of the world.

God's divine forecast declared that knowledge would increase and many should "run to and fro."  Even the confirmed skeptic and agnostic must admit the fulfillment of this prophecy.  Thus the Bible is proved to be an up-to-date guidebook.  And in this very century, yes, this very year in which we live, behold the index finger of God pointing to the prophetic time chart.  This is "the time of the end," the time when the end is near.