Sharper Iron from KFUO Radio

As the people prepare to renew the covenant with the LORD, they seal their names before Him. The clergy and the laity, the leaders and the people, all join to enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law given to Moses. In view of their history that led to their exile in the first place, the people particularly make promises concerning intermarriage with idolaters, keeping the Sabbath day, and supporting the work of the temple. As they promise not to neglect the LORD’s house, the focus is placed on the sacrifices by which the LORD provides for His people’s forgiveness of sins. Rev. Jacob Heine, pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Nehemiah 10:1-39. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

Having heard the Word of God, the people gathered in Jerusalem join in prayer to the LORD. They bless the LORD’s name for His acts of mercy throughout their history. He showed mercy in making a covenant with Abraham. He showed mercy in delivering Israel from Egypt. He showed mercy by providing for their well-being in the wilderness. Even when Israel rebelled against the LORD by worshiping a golden calf, the LORD remained faithful and merciful. He brought them to the Promised Land and sustained them through the time of the judges. He sent prophets to call His people back to Himself. When they did not listen, He sent them into exile, yet even then, He did not make an end of His people. Recognizing the steadfast love and mercy of the LORD throughout their history, the people who have returned from exile now call upon God to show that same mercy to them as they desire to live under His covenant anew. Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Nehemiah 9:1-38. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

With the walls of Jerusalem complete, the people of God now gather to hear the Word of God. Ezra the scribe and many helpers provided that the Word of God be read and proclaimed to the people from early morning until midday. As the people gave their attention to all that God said, Nehemiah and the Levites encouraged the people to rejoice. Not only did the people listen to the Word of God, they also sought to do what God had given them. They celebrated the Feast of Booths for seven days and held a solemn assembly on the eighth day, as God had commanded. Rev. Sean Smith, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Nehemiah 8:1-18. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

As Nehemiah prepares to take a census of the people of Judah in preparation for people to move into Jerusalem, he finds the record of those who had returned at the edict of Cyrus almost 100 years ago. Although the list had been recorded previously in Ezra 2, the list is recorded again in this place as a reminder of the faithfulness of previous generations. Now that the wall of Jerusalem is complete, the list of those who initially returned is a reminder that God has been at work in His people by not only rebuilding a city but also restoring His people in true faith in Him and the promised Savior. Rev. Jason Wagner, pastor at Hope Lutheran Church in High Ridge, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Nehemiah 7:5-73. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

As the construction of the wall of Jerusalem nears completion, opposition against Nehemiah and the people of God grows. Nehemiah wisely recognizes the plots of his enemies and refuses to yield to their threats and intimidation. Even though the enemies of God’s people find allies within Judah, Nehemiah refuses to fall into sin and prays that the LORD would remember his enemies. By the LORD’s grace, the people finish the work on the wall of Jerusalem in only fifty-two days, even as the need for people to settle in the city continues. Rev. James Helms, Jr., pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Greenbelt, MD, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Nehemiah 6:1-7:4. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

Trouble for the people of God never comes only from without; trouble also arises from within. In Nehemiah’s time, even as the wall of Jerusalem was under construction, members of God’s people were oppressing the poor in Israel through the exaction of usury. Nehemiah takes time away from the important building project to deal with this even-more-important matter of spiritual care. He calls the nobles and officials of the people to repent and show proper care and generosity, and the people respond in faith. For his part, Nehemiah leads by example in the matter of generosity and care for members of the household of faith. Rev. Jacob Dandy, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Terra Bella, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Nehemiah 5:1-19. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

The work on Jerusalem’s walls brings anger and mockery from the opponents of the people of God. Nehemiah and the people of Judah draw strength from God through prayer, and they refuse to stop. Such a faithful response brings about plans for a secret attack by the opposition, and morale in Israel begins to waver. Nehemiah responds with both prayer and action, trusting that God will fight for the people. Nehemiah makes the people ready for attack by providing for self-defense, and the sneak attack comes to nothing, thanks to the LORD’s deliverance. Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Nehemiah 4:1-23. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

After Nehemiah’s inspection of the wall, the people begin to work. The list of workers shows the willingness of God’s people to do the labor needed. Although the areas of expertise of the workers varied, together they recognized the need and participated in the construction of the walls of Jerusalem. Although the various locations of gates and sections of the wall may not be known to us exactly, their names serve as a reminder of the reality of the city of Jerusalem. As the LORD gave His people strength to accomplish the task at hand, He was at work in history to make ready the place where His own Son, Jesus, would be crucified outside the city walls for the salvation of sinners. Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Nehemiah 3:1-32. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

Nehemiah spends three months in prayer and preparation for the LORD gives him an opportunity to present his request to Artaxerxes. When the moment arrives, Nehemiah utters yet another brief prayer and asks Artaxerxes to send him to Jerusalem. God answers Nehemiah’s prayer as Artaxerxes agrees. When Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem, he discreetly inspects the walls of Jerusalem before exercising prudent, godly leadership to implore the people to help accomplish the rebuilding project. As always happens throughout history, opposition begins to arise against the work that God has given His people to do, but Nehemiah keeps his trust in the LORD. Rev. Dr. Ryan Tinetti, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arcadia, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Nehemiah 2:1-20. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

Like the book of Ezra, the book of Nehemiah details both the physical restoration of the city of Jerusalem and the spiritual restoration of the faith of God’s people. Nehemiah, the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia, receives word that the city walls of Jerusalem remain in ruins, even many years after the temple had been rebuilt. Recognizing the shame of this reality, Nehemiah turns to the LORD in prayer, even as he makes preparations to request permission to act. He calls upon the LORD as the faithful God who will hear and answer for the sake of His own name. As Nehemiah confesses his sin and the sin of the people, he asks that God would remember the promises that He spoke to Moses and now give success to what Nehemiah intends. Rev. Dr. Kevin Golden, Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Nehemiah 1:1-11. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

Ezra’s prayer of confession is taken to heart by the people of Israel. They join with him in confession, evidenced by the request of Shecaniah for Ezra to instruct the people to live from this day forward in repentance. After a night of fasting, Ezra calls all the returned exiles to gather in Jerusalem, and they faithfully come. As they gather in the heavy rain, Ezra reminds them of their sin of intermarrying with idolaters and tells them to make confession and bring these faithless marriages to an end. The people make a plan to do this in a deliberate way, accomplishing the task over a course of three months. The list of those who had intermarried with idolaters is a reminder that God calls sinners like us to Himself in repentance. Although the command to end such marriages is not in effect for Christians today, this text provides an example of people who seek to amend their lives to line up with God’s Word. Rev. Mark Squire, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezra 10:1-44. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

Soon after Ezra’s arrival, the officials of the returned exiles bring to the faithful scribe an urgent need for spiritual care. They admit to Ezra their faithlessness of intermarriage with the idolaters of the land of Canaan. Ezra’s initial response is mourning and repentance, and that evening he turns to the LORD in prayer. Recognizing God’s undeserved favor in bringing His people back from exile, Ezra confesses the sins of the people along with them and prays that the LORD would spare His people from His righteous anger according to His mercy. Rev. David Appold, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Paducah, KY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezra 9:1-15. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

Ezra lists the heads of households who make the journey to Jerusalem with him. These people are known not only to Ezra, but also to the LORD. The list especially emphasizes the needed workers for service in the temple. Prior to beginning the journey, the people fast in humility for three days in order to rely solely on God for their safe travel. The people faithfully carry with them vessels and other offerings for use in the temple, and God brings the entire group and their possessions safely to Jerusalem. Rev. Charles St-Onge, missionary pastor at Ascension Lutheran Church in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, through the Office of National Mission for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezra 8:1-36. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

The book of Ezra jumps forward in history over fifty years to the time of Ezra himself. During the reign of Artaxerxes of Persia, Ezra the priest goes up from Babylon to Jerusalem, bringing with him many of the workers needed for the services of the temple. Ezra is described as a scribe, one whose heart was set to study, do, and teach the Law of the Lord. Aided by a decree from Artaxerxes for his journey and task, Ezra blessed God as he gathers together the people to go back to Jerusalem with him. Rev. Andy Wright, pastor at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezra 7:1-28. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

Due to accurate record keeping in Persian libraries, King Darius of Persia discovers that Cyrus had previously decreed that the temple in Jerusalem be rebuilt. Darius therefore commands that the work be completed without any opposition. Through these pagan rulers and the faithful work of His people, the LORD provided that His temple was finally rebuilt in 516 BC. The dedication of the rebuilt temple was a moment of joy, as was the first Passover celebrated there. Both of these events pointed forward to their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Rev. Richard Mittwede, pastor at University Lutheran Church in Austin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezra 6:1-22. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

After about ten years of delay in completing the work of rebuilding the temple, the LORD sent Haggai and Zechariah. These prophets urged the people to pick up once again the work of rebuilding the temple. Zerubbabel and Jeshua led the way. Opposition arose once again, but the faithful people of God did not stop their work. Even as they waited for an answer from Darius concerning whether or not the temple could be finished, the people of God continued steadfastly in the task that the LORD’s prophets had given them to do. Rev. Ian Kinney, pastor at First Lutheran Church in Sabetha, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezra 5:1-17. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

When the people of Judah began to return from exile, the people of the land approached them in order to ask to participate in the rebuilding of the temple. The people of the land were Samaritans, people living in the former northern kingdom who had intermingled true religion with false religion in the aftermath of the Assyrian conquest. The faithful people of Judah refused their help, sticking to the plain command God had given and refusing to fall into faithlessness. The people of the land thus began to persecute the faithful returnees and worked to delay the rebuilding of the temple and Jerusalem. Such hostility continued for many years, even as the enemies of the Church still seek to persecute Christians today. The response of God’s people must be faithfulness still today. Rev. Andrew Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezra 4:1-24. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

During the second festival half of Israel’s church year, the returnees from exile gather in Jerusalem. Led by the faithful priest Jeshua and the faithful layman Zerubbabel, they begin the temple’s reconstruction with the altar, for the sake of beginning anew the sacrifices by which the LORD distributed His forgiveness. The following year, work on the temple began by laying the foundation. Even though this was only the beginning of the work, the dedication of the foundation was a cause of great joy for God’s people, even as some wept remembering what had been lost in the destruction of the first temple. Rev. Jeremy Swem, pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezra 3:1-13. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

Long lists in the Scriptures may seem unnecessary or uninteresting to modern readers. Yet lists such as the one in this chapter remind us that the LORD works in real history for real people. He knows His people by name, and He is the One who fulfills His promise for them. The initial number of those who returned from exile is rather small, and yet, the LORD was keeping His promise for this remnant. Their concern for genealogy shows a renewed concern for faithfulness to the LORD’s Word. Their willingness to give offerings for the rebuilding of the temple shows thankfulness for the LORD’s gifts among them. Rev. Phillip Fischaber, pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezra 2:1-70. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.

Cyrus’ foreign policy of allowing conquered peoples to go to their homes was unique in the ancient world, but it was not an accident of history. In fulfillment of what He had spoken through the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah, the LORD stirred up Cyrus to make this decree. Cyrus’ decree in 538 BC allowed the people of Judah, who had been exiled in Babylon, to begin their journey back to the Promised Land. Those whose hearts the LORD stirred to go took along with them the vessels of the house of the LORD for use when the temple would be rebuilt. Rev. Dr. David Adams, Professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezra 1:1-11. "God Brings His People Home” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. After 70 years in exile, the LORD began to fulfill His promise to bring His people back to the Promised Land. In the years that followed, faithful clergy and dedicated laity worked together to rebuild Jerusalem physically and restore the people of God spiritually. Through it all, God was at work to keep His promise of bringing the Savior into the world in the fullness of time.