At the end of the first decade of the 21st century, I began to read the book of Esther and simultaneously began a serious study of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah: Ezra 8:22, “For I was ashamed to ask the king for an escort of foot and horse soldiers to help us against the enemy on the way, because we had spoken to the king, saying, ‘The hand of our God is upon
all who seek Him for good, but His power and His wrath are against all who forsake Him.'” Nehemiah 1:3-4, “They said to me, ‘The remnant that returned from captivity is there in the province enduring great affliction and reproach. Also, the wall of Jerusalem remains broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire. When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days. Then I fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.'” READ MORE
