Pastor Jasmine Brady | Bible Reading Podcast Episode #93

This summary provides a recap of spiritual reading, focusing on the biblical books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Luke, and Acts. These sources collectively emphasize themes of covenant faithfulness, prioritizing the heart (the altar) over external works (the wall), and recognizing Jesus Christ as the central figure in all Scripture.

The material encourages believers to seek God’s Kingdom first and rely on the constant strength provided by the Holy Spirit’s indwelling joy, recognizing that true transformation comes from God’s empowering spirit, not merely from human reforms.

1. Ezra and Nehemiah: Prioritizing the Altar and Rebuilding

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah, originally written as one scroll, overlap closely as they detail the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and Persia, beginning in 538 BC.

Ezra: Rebuilding Faithfulness

The book of Ezra is divided into two major sections: the first return led by Zerubabel (chapters 1–6) and the second return (chapters 7–10).

• Zerubabel’s Return: About 50,000 Jewish people returned to Jerusalem in the first wave. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah encouraged them to finish rebuilding the second temple.
• The Altar First: An important factor in Ezra is that the people rebuilt the altar before they rebuilt the wall. This teaches that the altar of our heart is more important than anything else. This principle aligns with Matthew 5: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all of these things will be added unto you”.
• Trusting God’s Protection: The returning Jews were even afraid to ask for protection because they had made such a big deal about the fact that God is all-powerful and He will protect them.
• The 60-Year Gap: Between chapters 6 and 7 of Ezra, there is a 60-year gap, known as the silent years, during which the events of the Book of Esther took place.

Nehemiah: Rebuilding the Wall and Renewing the Covenant

Nehemiah focuses on rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem (chapters 1–7), renewing the covenant (chapters 8–10), and implementing reforms and dedication (chapters 11–13).

• A Layman’s Calling: Nehemiah himself was a layman, serving as the cupbearer to the king. He was not a scribe like Ezra, a priest, or a pastor. This highlights that God wants to use you right where you are if you dedicate your heart to the Lord.
• The Joy of the Lord is Strength: Nehemiah 8:10 states, “The joy of the Lord is our strength”. This verse, often associated with happy times, was actually written during a very difficult season when Nehemiah was weary from rebuilding the wall and dealing with community pushback against covenant faithfulness. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and is constant because the Holy Spirit is constant. Our focus must be on the Holy Spirit and communion with God, not on the difficult situation.
• Human Limits and Divine Power: Nehemiah ends with the prophet being frustrated because disobedience was creeping in yet again. This reminds believers that while they can implement reforms and try to do the right thing, only God can change the heart. Ultimately, the empowering spirit of God is needed to achieve what God has called us to do, pointing forward to the time when Jesus would send the Holy Spirit to dwell within believers.

The Danger of Intermarriage (Spiritual Boundaries)

Ezra and Nehemiah confronted the issue of intermarriage with people who served pagan gods. For modern readers, this is difficult to comprehend, but the underlying idea is not about ethnicity, but about faith.

• The concern was remembering King Solomon, whose heart was led away from Yahweh because he intermarried with pagan women who caused him to serve pagan gods.
• Ezra warned that intermarrying with pagan people would pull the heart away from Yahweh, risking a return to exile.
• For believers today, this translates to drawing fine lines and clear boundaries against anything that has taken the heart away from God in the past, such as certain friend groups, social media, or past bad habits that one believes they can now control.

2. Luke and Acts: Jesus as the Center of Scripture

The reading plan concludes the Gospel of Luke (chapters 19–24) and begins Acts of the Apostles (chapter 1).

The Climax of Ministry

Luke chapters 19–24 cover the climax of Jesus’s ministry in Jerusalem, including the passion, crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and ascension.

• The Centrality of Ascension: Luke ends his Gospel with the ascension of Jesus and begins the Book of Acts with the ascension, making it the central act Luke focuses on.

Jesus Revealed in Scripture and Fellowship

Luke 24 describes the road to Emmaus where Jesus explains to His followers that all of the Scriptures—the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms—point to the Messiah, Jesus Christ Himself. This means the Old Testament is not done away with, but is fulfilled in Jesus.

• Hearts Burning: The followers’ hearts were burning within them, showing that Jesus is revealed in the illumination of scripture. This is why believers read their Bibles—God reveals Himself in Scripture.
• Revelation at the Table: The followers’ eyes were completely opened to the identity of Christ when Christ breaks the bread, blesses it, and gives it to them. Jesus Christ is truly revealed at the table (communion and fellowship), where everyone finds a seat regardless of different ideologies or ethnicities, rather than in the throne room.