During the four years between Vashti's banishment and Esther's coronation, King Xerxes fights and loses a war with Greece. Upon his return, the advisors devise a national beauty competition to distract the king and save themselves. Young Hadassah, a Jewish orphan raised by her…

The Book of Esther, the final History Book of the Old Testament, is set in post-exilic Persia around 486–465 BC. It’s a story about the Jews who stayed behind rather than return to Jerusalem. It opens in the opulent court of King Xerxes, where…

In this commentary on Nehemiah 5 and 6, we’ll learn two more lessons on how to battle opposition while also taking care of a little community governance.…

There was opposition in Nehemiah's day, and there’s opposition today. When we’re building something for God, the enemy doesn’t sit idle. There will always be opposition. But our lessons from Nehemiah 4 are a masterclass in what to do in the face of that…

At the start of Nehemiah, he was so consumed with distress about the wall that all he could do was weep and pray. But as we dove into our commentary on Nehemiah 2, he was taking action on his calling.…

Nehemiah's leadership qualities are founded on the principle that the heart fuels the mind, manifesting in passionate motivation, patient preparation, strategic planning, and masterful diplomacy. …

Nehemiah's main message is about restoration and renewal, both spiritually and physically. The Israelites need to spiritually return to God, so they must physically return to Jerusalem. Nehemiah is the prayerful leader who rebuilds both Jerusalem's walls and the people's faith despite relentless opposition. …