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The book of Nehemiah is full of examples in leadership. In this next lesson from The MANual, we will see how one person can accomplish great things when they talk and walk with God. Nehemiah saw a problem and was distressed by what he heard. But instead of complaining, he took action and God used him to accomplish one of the Bible’s seemingly impossible tasks: rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. About the Book of Nehemiah Nehemiah is the last of the historical books of the Old Testament (along with Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, and Ezra). Each book reminds us about trusting in God’s promises and recommitting ourselves to right living.   The likely author is Nehemiah since much of the book is written in the first person. However, another source, my New Living Translation Study Bible, says that Ezra, the

Our next lesson from The MANual comes from the book of Ezra. Most discussions about biblical heroes likely do not include Ezra, but probably should. He was a humble, obedient man who served God and taught about God’s faithfulness. About the Book of Ezra The ten chapters of Ezra in this NIV (New International Version) Bible are about how God can restore broken remnants. Similar to the lessons from the prophet Samuel, the lessons of Kings, and lessons from the Chronicler, Ezra is another of the historical books of the Old Testament that explains how God restored the Israelites whenever they kept His commandments. But the account of Ezra shows how one man can make a difference.  The setting is around 538-450 B.C.; approximately 48 years after King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and sent the Israelites to Babylon as captives. Nebuchadnezzar has died in 562 when King Cyrus of Persia overthrew

This next lesson from The MANual, my NIV version of the Bible, is titled “Review and Regrets” It comes from Chronicles, which are considered supplementary to the books of Samuel and Kings since they are the sources for the historical review. Similar to my prior posts on Samuel and Kings, the lessons from Chronicles come from two books. The difference is that 1 and 2 Chronicles include a genealogy of the people of Israel. The similarity is it includes tales of their sordid history with evil kings. The Chronicler First Chronicles and Second Chronicles are presumed from Ezra, a scribe who became a priest that lived among the people exiled into captivity in Babylon. Its writer, or Chronicler, teaches the people of Israel that genuine worship of God must remain the center of their individual lives in order to unify as a nation.  Ezra wrote in approximately 430 B.C. to