How does the first half of the book end?

Many people know how the New Testament begins; but not many now how the Old Testament ends. Malachi, the last written prophet of the Old Testament speaks about the sins of a people who rebel against God, and he introduces us to the prophet link between the Old Testament and Christ.

Malachi 1

• Ye say, “How has God loved us?” (v. 1-5).
• Ye say, “How have we polluted God’s table?” (v. 6-9).
• Ye say, “God doesn’t give us good things.” (v. 10-12).
• Ye say, “Serving God is too much work.” (v. 13-14).

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Remember me, O  my God

Nehemiah is distressed by various widespread public sins. He prays (v. 14, 22, 29, 31).

Nehemiah 13

• Read your Bible and see what you’ve been missing (v. 1-3).
• The priest who gave aid to the enemy (v. 4-9).
• Who told you to stop doing that? (v. 10-14).
• You did what instead of thinking about God? (v. 15-22).
• You have not chosen wisely (v. 23-29).
• Somebody needs to watch that this doesn’t happen again (v. 30-31).

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These are the priests and Levites

Nehemiah 8

• Leaders and followers (v. 1-7)
• Who’s in charge of thanksgiving? (v. 8)
• Who’s in charge of the watches? (v. 9).
• Who started all of this anyhow? (v. 24).
• Let’s all get together at the wall (v. 27).
• The music crowd was there (v. 27).
• Two groups of princes (v. 31).
• Wives and children joined the festivity (v. 43).

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Where do you want to live?

Nehemiah 11

• 10% of the people were appointed to live in Jerusalem (v. 1). Have you been chosen to live in the holy city?
• A number of people volunteered to move to the city (v. 2). Would you choose to live in the holy city?
• The tribes of Benjamin and Judah are represented among the inhabitants of the city (v. 3-9).
• Priests (v. 10-12)
• Chieftains (v. 13).
• Mighty men (v. 14).
• Levites (v. 15-18).
• Porters (v. 19).
• Others (v. 20-24).
• Villages of Judah (v. 25-35).
• Levites were found in groups in Judah and in Benjamin (v. 36).

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