Amy Carmichael-He Didn't Know Where He was Going When He Died

By Mary Vee

Year: January, 1904-1906 

Amy Carmichael: 36 years old

From Amy's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Amy Carmichael. I am a missionary in India.

I have joined the Walkers in their ministry in Southern India. 

The Indian people have many festivals. It seems they have one almost everyday. One of the ladies who works at the mission went with me to a recent festival. The plan: share the story of God's love to everyone who will listen.

There were many booths set up selling vases, jewelry, food, books, etc. And, like so many other days, the weather was excruciatingly hot and muggy. 

We walked past many booths, hoping to find a place to speak to the people. We tried several times and had women stop. But they only stayed a moment then moved on. 

Celebration was the atmosphere at the festival. Music, dancing, laughing, buying, selling, and large crowds moving through the area. As the time moved on, I began to feel faint. We found an empty booth and stood in the shade. Still, I felt sick with thirst. The men in the booths around us offered me some milk. I refused because I didn't have money, but one man paid for me saying, "Helping the poor counts to help me after I die."

Many of the Indian people believed their current behavior would determine what their next life would be like. They believed they would come back as a person of higher or lower caste or something terrible like an animal. How sad. None of this is true. 

Days after this festival ended a funeral celebration was held for a man who died. No one in the crowd mourned. Only the family in the home wept. A woman said, "Enjoy yourself. This is a celebration. That man didn't know where he was going anyway."

How sad. He didn't even know. I had read books written by missionaries that told of people who welcomed them warmly and were excited to hear about the God who loves them. I haven't seen that here. Instead, because I am a white woman I cannot go many places and women of certain castes will not listen to me.

How can the people hear about the God who loves them. Can you hear my frustration?

Come back next time. Because once this event passed, I heard about a little girl who really did pray for someone to come tell her about the God who loves her. Now can you see me jumping up and down? Yes! God is working. I only need to be ready to do the work He gives.

Come back next time to read the exciting story about the little girl!


Resources used for this series:. 
Benge, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 1998. Print.
Davis, Rebecca Henry. With Daring Faith: A Biography of Amy Carmichael. Greenville, SC: Bob Jones UP, 1987. Print.
Dick, Lois Hoadley. Amy Carmichael: Let the Children Come. Chicago: Moody, 1984. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Amy Carmichael: Rescuing the Children. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 2002. Print.
Wellman, Sam. Amy Carmichael: A Life Abandoned to God. Uhrichville, OH: Barbour Pub., 1998. Print.

Don't forget to comment! 
Let Amy hear from you!

Ezra-The Rebel's Letter to the Fake King

By Mary Vee
Ezra

From Ezra's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Ezra. I am with the Hebrews who chose to return to Jerusalem. Not everyone wanted to come back to our homeland. Some of our brothers preferred to stay in their new homes in Babylon. 

King Cyrus gave us permission to return to Jerusalem to build the temple.

I must admit, the work has not gone well. Everyone wanted to first rebuild their homes, plant their crops, fix all the broken things. No one seemed interested in rebuilding the temple.

We received word that King Cyrus died and his son Cambyses took over the Persian throne. He allowed his father's word to stand. The word that said we could be in Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.

Cambyses led his troops to Egypt and conquered the land. While he was gone, his half-brother tried to take over the country. King Cambyses's aids killed the half-brother to stop him.

This may seem boring, but in truth these events had a major impact on those of us living in Jerusalem. There is a little more I must tell you to help you understand our troubles. A man by the name of Guamata pretended to be Cambyses half-brother. He convinced many people and talked them into revolting against the throne. He called himself Artaxerxes which is a common name used for the king, and took over the throne while Cambyses was gone.

At the same time there were many evil men who didn't want our Hebrew temple to be built. The leaders of this group were: Bihlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and other associates. They wrote a letter to Guamata, the man pretending to be Artxerxes. This is the letter:

The king should know that the Jews who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations.

Furthermore, the king should know that if this city is built and its walls are restored, no more taxes, tribute, or duty will be paid, and the royal treasury will suffer. Now since we are under obligation to the palace and it is not proper for us to see the king dishonored, we are sending this message to inform the king, so that a search may be made in the archives of your predecessors. 

In these records you will find that this city is a rebellious city, troublesome to kings and provinces, a place of rebellion from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed. We inform the king that if this city is built and its walls are restored, you will be left with nothing in Trans-Euphrates.

Ack. This is terrible news. If the men are successful, we will end up as captives again. Next time I will tell you what the king, the man who stole the throne and lied to the people, wrote back.


*********************************************************************************************

1.  Who led the people to Jerusalem?

2.  Which king gave them permission to rebuild the temple?

3.  Why did this king leave his land?

4.  Who stole his throne?

5.  What did the letter say? Why do you think the evil men sent the letter?

Daniel-The End, A Message from the Angel

By Mary Vee
Daniel 12

From Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Daniel. I am still living in Babylon and in service to Cyrus king of Persia.

Many of my Hebrew brothers and their families traveled back to Jerusalem a short time ago. King Cyrus gave them permission. Ezra led the people. 

An angel came to speak to me after I'd seen a vision. I don't know if I had such a difficult time because I am older or because of the vision that scared me, or maybe both.

The message has been long, I know. This is the fourth and last time I'm writing you about this message. If you missed any, scroll down these posts to read the ones before. The news is very important for us to hear.  It can help prepare us for the day these events will come to pass. This is what the angel explained next: 

"At the time when the king of the North will come to his end, Michael, the great prince who protects your people will arise. Terrible things will happen, such as has never happened from the beginning of nations nor will be until that time. 

"At the appointed time your people, everyone whose name is found written in the book, will be delivered. Those who have died before will come to life. Some will go to where they will live forever, others will go to where they will live their shame and forever be condemned.  Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 

"Now Daniel, you are to close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge."

Two men joined us. One on this bank of the river and one on the other. One asked the angel, "How long will it be before these amazing things happen?"

The angel answered, "It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed."

I didn't understand what this meant, so I asked, "My lord, what will the result be?"

The angel answered, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be made spotless but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. 

"From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the horrors that cause destruction is set up there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.

"As for you, Daniel, go your way till the end. You will rest, then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your inheritance."

After the angel said those words, he left. 


*********************************************************************************************

1.  Who is speaking to Daniel?

2.  What will happen to those whose name is written in the book?

3.  What will happen to those who are wise?

4.  When will this happen?

5.  What will happen to the words until the end time?

Amy Carmichael-The Sweet Baby Girls

By Mary Vee

Year: January, 1904-1906 

Amy Carmichael: 36 years old

From Amy's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Amy Carmichael. I am a missionary in India.

I have joined the Walkers in their ministry in Southern India. Mr. Walker left me in charge while he took his wife back to England for medical help. 

While he was gone, I carried on my calling to save the little girls. From being forced into slavery at the temple. Parents who were in need of money sold their daughters there.

One day, I walked with several girls who worked with me at the mission. We happened near the temple. One pointed out the beautiful lotus plant. The other reached down to pluck the flower. The first girls said, "Stop. That flower belongs to the temple."

Photo Courtesy

I looked at the lovely flowers, their buds raised to the light and remembered the words of Ezekiel, "Behold, all souls are mine." 

I realized then that no little girl belonged to the temple. She belonged to the Lord. I called each child forced to live at the temple a lotus flower. Sweet, innocent, belonging to the Lord, and in need of rescue.

More little ones came to live at the mission. I loved helping them, but soon discovered a huge problem. The babies needed milk. None of the Indian women would agree to feed the infants. I tried goats milk and added other ingredients to make a formula.

The babies became ill. I didn't know what from. Long hours were spent in the nursery trying to help these little ones get healthy. The first baby died. Then a second. Months later a third baby died. 

I sobbed not knowing what to do. The lord heard my prayers and sent a wonderful gift. Mr. Walker returned to the mission with a guest. My mother. She stayed with me, holding the babies and playing with the older children.

Soon people from the village yelled terrible words saying I couldn't take care of the babies. Evil thoughts played in my mind saying I was a bungling do-gooders. I know, these were words from Satan and I should put them aside. Each little one was in the hands of the Lord.

My mother stayed fifteen months. I couldn't have organized and helped the needs of all those children without her help. God truly blessed me.

Not long after she left I found out why the three little girls died. It has nothing to do with me. There had been a mysterious epidemic. Since that time, no babies died. I had fifty adopted little girls in my home. I never realized that God wanted me here to care for these precious little girls, to teach them about Him, to care for their needs, and to show them love.


Resources used for this series:. 
Benge, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 1998. Print.
Davis, Rebecca Henry. With Daring Faith: A Biography of Amy Carmichael. Greenville, SC: Bob Jones UP, 1987. Print.
Dick, Lois Hoadley. Amy Carmichael: Let the Children Come. Chicago: Moody, 1984. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Amy Carmichael: Rescuing the Children. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 2002. Print.
Wellman, Sam. Amy Carmichael: A Life Abandoned to God. Uhrichville, OH: Barbour Pub., 1998. Print.

Don't forget to comment! 
Let Amy hear from you!

Daniel-The Future Stolen By an Evil King

By Mary Vee
Daniel 11

From Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Daniel. I am still living in Babylon and in service to Cyrus king of Persia.

Many of my Hebrew brothers and their families traveled back to Jerusalem a short time ago. King Cyrus gave them permission. Ezra led the people. 

An angel came to speak to me after I'd seen a vision. I don't know if I had such a difficult time because I am older or because of the vision that scared me, or maybe both.

The message has been long, I know. This is the third time I'm writing you, carrying on the message. If you missed any, scroll down these posts to read the ones before. The news is very important for us to hear.  It can help prepare us for the day these events will come to pass. This is what the angel explained next: 

The evil king from the North will do whatever makes him happy. He will say he is greater than every god and speak agains the holy true God. To make matters word the king of the North will be successful until the time of wrath is complete. All of these events must take place.

The king of the North will not respect the gods of his fathers, or for the one desired by women, or respect any god. He will declare himself above all. He will honor an unknown god with gold and silver, precious stones and costly gifts. He will honor those who agree with him and make them rulers over many people, redistributing the land at a price.

When this time comes to an end, the king of the South will go to battle. The king of the North will fight back with chariots, calvary, and a greet fleet of ships. The North king will sweep through many countries like a flood including Egypt and invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall except Edom, Moab, and the leaders of Ammon, which will be spared.

Reports from the east and north will frighten the king of the North. He will attack, annihilate, and destroy many and set his tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain. That is where he will come to an end, 

and no one will help him.

Thank God, hope is finally coming in this news. Please come back next time to hear the end of the Angel's message.

*********************************************************************************************

1.  Who is speaking to Daniel?

2.  Who is the evil king?

3.  What will he think of himself?

4.  Who will he reward?

5.  Why do you think the angel told Daniel what would happen in the future?

Daniel-The Angel Escaped And Told Daniel the Future

By Mary Vee
Daniel 11

From Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Daniel. I am still living in Babylon and in service to Cyrus king of Persia.

Many of my Hebrew brothers and their families traveled back to Jerusalem a short time ago. King Cyrus gave them permission. Ezra led the people. 

An angel came to speak to me after I'd seen a vision. I don't know if I had such a difficult time because I am older or because of the vision that scared me, or maybe both.

The angel continue explaining the vision to me from the last time: 

"A man with no line of royalty will worm his way into the hearts of the people living in the North. The country will be at a time when everything is going well. This despicable man will compel the people to listen to him. 

"With him, a few trusted people will rise to power. They will go where the richest people live. And while those citizens trust him, he will rob all their wealth and give it to his army.

"His army will grow and this leader of the North will encourage his men to fight with their strength and courage against the king of the South. He will lead his powerful army to battle but he will fail because men in his realm will plot against him.  Many of his men will fall in that battle.

"A grand meeting will be held between the king of the North and the king of the South. They will sit down to a meal and lie to each other. All these lies will mean nothing because the end will come at the time God set. The king of the North will go home with great wealth, but his heart will be against the holy covenant. And he will honor those who are against the holy covenant.

"The king of the North's anger will build again. He will set out to invade the South, but this time something new will happen. Ships from the western coastlands will fight him and he will become discouraged.  

"He will turn back and take his wrath out on the holy covenant. He will order his army to destroy the temple fortress and stop daily sacrifice. He will compliment and flatter those who disobey the holy covenant. 

But the people who know their God will firmly resist him. 

"Those who are wise will teach all who will listen. For a time these wise teachers will be killed by the sword or be burned or be captured or robbed. When they fall, few will help. Unfortunately many who are not sincere will join them causing some of the wise to stumble. 

"That is okay because these who have stumbled will be refined, purified and made spotless until all of this comes to an end.

The end will come at the appointed time.

This story continues next time.
*********************************************************************************************

1.  Who is speaking to Daniel?

2.  Where is the information taken from?

3.  What kingdoms will battle?

4.  How will this affect the world?

5.  Why do you think the angel told Daniel something that would happen in the future?

Amy Carmichael-Running From The Mob

By Mary Vee

Year: January, 1899-1904 

Amy Carmichael: 30 years old

From Amy's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Amy Carmichael. I am a missionary in India.

I have joined the Walkers in their ministry in Southern India.

My heart aches so much for the native people. All I want to do is help, but many cannot see my heart through my white skin.

Early in 1901 five sweet boys were baptized. A week later all five became deathly sick. Two died.

Cholera is common here and is not the only disease natives suffer. Malaria, leprosy, tuberculosis, and other diseases plague the people. The water isn't clean. Sanitation isn't a big priority. Even modern medicines could help with some of the problems but there is a shortage of doctors. 

I went with my friend, Ponnammal to a village to tell the women about God's love for them. Each home we visited we were refused entry. The women honored their caste by refusing to let a white woman in their home. 

Ponnammal and I stood outside the homes and sang praises to God, hoping a group of women would come to listen. I read out loud from the Bible and we sang more songs. The sun's heat beat down on us.

A few people stopped for a moment or two then walked away. Children, animals, and other distractions broke up any gathering. By the end of the day we decided to go home.

Ponnammal and I climbed back in our cart for the two hour ride back to the mission. We talked about our day but were interrupted by a terrible sound coming from behind. I turned. A crowd of people ran toward us, screaming and beating on drums. 

The people never slowed but ran straight for us, holding idols high above their heads and praying to those idols. They swarmed around the cart preventing us from moving forward.

I must admit, I was afraid. I whispered to Ponnammal, "Sing. Sing with me." I started with the words for "Victory to Jesus' Name! Victory!"

The evening darkness came. The crowd lit torches. They beat their drums and danced and prayed to their idols. They became so distracted with their idols Ponnammal and I managed to pull away. 

Even from a distance the flickering torches and the dark night reminded me of only one terrible place. The place Jesus saved me from.

Ponnammal and I were so afraid we didn't say a word for the longest time. 

Then we comforted each other. 



Resources used for this series:. 
Benge, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 1998. Print.
Davis, Rebecca Henry. With Daring Faith: A Biography of Amy Carmichael. Greenville, SC: Bob Jones UP, 1987. Print.
Dick, Lois Hoadley. Amy Carmichael: Let the Children Come. Chicago: Moody, 1984. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Amy Carmichael: Rescuing the Children. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 2002. Print.
Wellman, Sam. Amy Carmichael: A Life Abandoned to God. Uhrichville, OH: Barbour Pub., 1998. Print.

Don't forget to comment! 
Let Amy hear from you!

Daniel- North and South

By Mary Vee
Daniel 11

From Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Daniel. I am still living in Babylon and in service to Cyrus king of Persia.

Many of my Hebrew brothers and their families traveled back to Jerusalem a short time ago. King Cyrus gave them permission. Ezra led the people. 

An angel came to speak to me after I'd seen a vision. I don't know if I had such a difficult time because I am older or because of the vision that scared me, or maybe both.

I said to the angel, "How can I speak with you? My strength is gone. I can hardly breathe."

The angel touched me again and gave me strength. "Don't be afraid Daniel for you are highly esteemed. Peace to you. Have peace and be strong."

Just like that my strength returned. I was able to focus on his words. "Speak, my lord."

"Do you know why I came to you?" He looked up and away for a brief moment. "Soon I will go back to fight the evil prince of Persia. When I go, the prince of Greece will come. Before I leave, I will tell you what is written in The Book of Truth. No one is helping me in this battle except Michael, your prince. Years ago I took my stand to protect him.

"I tell you the truth. Three more kings will appear in Persia. The one who comes after will be far richer than all the others. He will use his wealth to gain power and stir everyone up against the kingdom of Greece. At that time, a mighty king will appear. He will rule with great power and do as he pleases. Once he is established, his kingdom will be broken up and sent in all directions. His descendants will not take his thrown. His kingdom will not have the power he had. His kingdom will be given to others.

"The king of the South will become strong, but one of his commanders will overtake his thrown and have great power. Some years later these two men will work together. The daughter of the king of the South will marry the king of the North to make an alliance, but she will lose her power.

"A man from her family line will rise up to take her place. He will attack the forces of the king of the North and enter his kingdom. His armies will take the gold and valuables to Egypt. The two countries will stop fighting for a time.

"But that is not the end. The king of the North will rise up. He and his sons will march like a roaring flood to the kingdom of the South. The northern army will fail and the kingdom of the South will become full of pride and go about killing thousands.

"Again this is not the end. After several years pass, the army of the North will be so angry they will raise up an even bigger army.

"At that time many will rise up against the kingdom of the South. The armies of the South will be powerless to resist the kingdom of the North. The king of the North will attempt to take over every country but fail. He will return to the north and not be heard from again.

There is more. Rest. Then I will tell you more.

This story continues next time.
*********************************************************************************************

1.  Who is speaking to Daniel?
2.  Where is the information taken from?
3.  What kingdoms will battle?
4.  How will this affect the world?
5.  Why do you think the angel told Daniel something that would happen in the future?

Daniel- 21-day Battle of the Angels

By Mary Vee
Daniel 10

From Ezra's Journal

Photo Courtesy. The Angel Michael takes over the battle

My name is Daniel. I am still living in Babylon and in service to Cyrus king of Persia.

Many of my Hebrew brothers and their families traveled back to Jerusalem a short time ago. King Cyrus gave them permission. Ezra led the people. 

I suppose they have settled into their homes and gathered the materials to rebuild the temple. 

The Lord sent me a message in a vision. The message was so terrifying I ate no choice food, meat, or drank wine. I didn't use any lotions at all until three weeks went by. 

It was the twenty-fourth day of the first month when I stood on the bank of the great river, Tigris. A man stood next to me. He wore linen with a belt of the finest gold around his waist. His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a huge crowd.

Other men were with me when I received the vision, but they did not see it. Even still, terror overwhelmed them and they ran away. 

I was left alone to watch this great vision. I had no strength. My legs hardly held me. I fell to the ground in fear. I heard the man speaking, and as I listened to him I fell into a deep sleep.

A hand touched me. He helped me up to my hands and knees. I couldn't stop shaking. 

The man said, "Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, think about the words I am about to tell you. Stand up."

I stood but didn't stop trembling.

"Don't be afraid Daniel. Since the first day you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard and I have come in response to them. 

"You were heard this time, too. I would have come sooner, but the evil of the Persian kingdom fought me for twenty-one days. Michael, one of the chief angels, came to help me get free. I have finally come to explain what will happen to your people in the future. This vision concerns a time yet to come.

This story continues next time.
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1.  Who stood by Daniel.
2.  Where was Daniel.
3.  Who was king?
4.  Why did Daniel fall to the ground?
5.  Why did the angel Michael have to take over the battle.

Amy Carmichael-Hope for the Women

By Mary Vee

Year: January, 1899-1904 

Amy Carmichael: 30 years old

From Amy's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Amy Carmichael. I am a missionary in India.

I have joined the Walkers in their ministry in Southern India.

Ponnammal is a girl who came to the mission requesting sanctuary. Since she was old enough to be considered an adult, we let her to stay. She spent hours studying and learning everything she could about God.

Ponnammal became my translator. I actually knew the language pretty well, but sometimes I still needed help. 

One day, Ponnammal and I rode to a small Hindu village. Children played outdoors. Other than the children, we didn't see many people. As we walked to the first hut, a woman came outside and yelled at the children, "Stay away from the missionaries. They are paid a lot of money if any of us listen to them." She waited for the last child to go inside then closed the door.

I had no idea where she got that idea. It simply wasn't true. 

Idols and shrines decorated the outside of each dwelling. Ponnammal and I stopped at the first hut and were thankful to be invited inside. A group of women sat on the floor, some weaving, some not. In the back, a cow lay swatting flies with its tail.

Ponnammal and I sat on the floor with the women. I shared with them about the God who loves them. After an hour of speaking, one woman said, "Our husbands decide our religion." Another said, "How can your words be true when they ask us to leave our caste to follow this Jesus. I could never do that."

So many Hindu women spoke of their dedication to their caste. I hardly knew how to help them. Ponnammal said, "These women must see for themselves that Jesus is worth leaving their caste."

She was right. I remembered Mr. Walker saying a potter who leaves his caste for Jesus will no longer be able to sell pots. No one will buy from him. Hindus must give up everything to accept Christ.

At the next home, women invited us inside. We told them about the God who loved them. Two younger women were so excited to hear more they said, "Please come back every day!" When I said we couldn't because many more women needed to hear about Jesus, the old woman said, "I cannot believe in your God. I am too old. What would I do? Where would I go if I break caste? Why didn't you come and tell us about Jesus years ago?"

I didn't know what to say. I wished I could have come sooner, I really did. I bowed my head  and prayed, asking God to send more missionaries to India.

The women at a third hut listened to me speak for an hour then asked about my hair and what oils I used. They weren't listening to what I said! Ponnammal and I left.

The children playing outside sat and listened to us talk about Jesus. Their sweet little minds ready to hear. 

Ponnammal said, "The women don't listen because their world is small. Her whole day is spent taking care of her family and talking with other women in her village. They don't think of tomorrow."

"But you did, Ponnammal," I said.

"Yes. That is why there is hope even for the women who can't see past today."



Resources used for this series:. 
Benge, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 1998. Print.
Davis, Rebecca Henry. With Daring Faith: A Biography of Amy Carmichael. Greenville, SC: Bob Jones UP, 1987. Print.
Dick, Lois Hoadley. Amy Carmichael: Let the Children Come. Chicago: Moody, 1984. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Amy Carmichael: Rescuing the Children. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 2002. Print.
Wellman, Sam. Amy Carmichael: A Life Abandoned to God. Uhrichville, OH: Barbour Pub., 1998. Print.

Don't forget to comment! 
Let Amy hear from you!

Ezra-The Day the Enemy Infiltrated

By Mary Vee
Ezra 4

From Ezra's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Ezra. Our seventy years of captivity in Babylon has ended. King Cyrus gave us permission to return to Jerusalem. 

We've settled into our homes, offered sacrifices, and are moving forward to rebuild the temple of God. 

Behind our backs, our enemies met together and devised evil plots against us.

One day, our enemies asked to meet with Zerubbabel, the priest, and the heads of the families. They said, "Let us help you build because, like you, we are searching for your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time King Esarhaddon of Assyria brought us here."

They were lying. Oooo. They were lying. 

Zerrubabbel, Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel said, "No. We don't want your help in building a temple to our God. We and our Hebrew brothers will build it for the Lord, the God of Israel, just as Cyrus, king of Persia, commanded us.

Our enemies left the meeting, but they were not defeated. Their plan was to destroy us by preventing the temple from being completed. 

These enemies brought their families and hung around Jerusalem. They spoke with Hebrews weaving doubtful thoughts into their minds. "If you continue building the temple, your enemies will band together and attack. This work you are doing will be destroyed by your enemies and you will be taken away as slaves again. Wouldn't you rather just leave everything as it is? You don't need the temple."

Our enemies then hired counselors to give input for the building plans. They tried to frustrate those working out the details. Wherever we turned our enemies stood talking with Hebrews, trying to convince them to stop building the temple.

For years we struggled throughout the reign of King Cyrus of Persia even to the reign of Darius, king of Persia.

This has become such a difficult task. Not one day of peace. 

We walked like a person stuck in a bog.

Our spirits fell.

Our energy zapped.

In truth, we were afraid.

I received word that Daniel, who still lived in Babylon as a slave, had another vision. One that showed all our struggles would have an end. One of victory.

Next time, Daniel will tell you about this vision. You'll want to read it. The message is for you, too.

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1.  Who wanted to speak to the priest and heads of the Hebrew families?
2.  What did they want?
3.  What did the leaders say?
4.  What plot did they try next?
5.  How did the people of Jerusalem feel?
6.  What news did Ezra receive?