The Voice

Esther 9: The Jews defended themselves as well as conquering their enemies, without taking any plunder. Then a new annual time of celebration was established called Purim to commemorate the victory. (archived audio)

Today I read Esther 8: The king gave Haman’s estate to Queen Esther, and his signet ring to Mordecai, and although the kings previous order could not be revoked, the king allowed Mordecai to write a new one on the king’s behalf for the Jews to be able to assemble and protect themselves, and to… Continue reading November 12th

I read Esther 7: Esther finally told the king her request to spare her life and also the life of all the other Jews, indicating that Haman was the man who arranged for their annihilation. The King ordered that Haman be executed on the structure he built for Mordecai. (archived audio)

I read Esther 6 today: Haman had to parade Mordecai around town honoring him, even though he planned to execute him, then he was rushed to the second banquet with Esther and the king. (archived audio)

Today I read Esther 5: Esther went to the king and was invited to approach him, and he asked her what she wanted. She invited Haman and the king to a banquet she prepared and another banquet on the following day, but Haman had a tall structure built for Mordecai to be executed on. (archived… Continue reading November 8th

This morning I read Esther 4: Esther discovers the plot to annihilate all of the Jews because of Mordecai’s public mourning. Mordecai requests an appeal to the king. Esther requests a three day fast for all of the Jews. (archived audio)

I read Esther 3 today: Haman planned to kill all of the Jews because he was angry that Mordecai would not bow to him. The king agreed to Haman’s plan and signed the decree. (archived audio)

I read Esther 2: Esther was beautiful and caught the kings attention, so he made her the new queen. Esther’s godfather Mordecai discovered and reported and upset a plot to murder the king, and the event was recorded in the historical records. (archived audio)

I read Esther 1: The queen refused to visit at her her drunken husband’s command, so she was removed from her position as queen. (archived audio)

Today I read Nehemiah 13: Nehemiah purged foreigners from Israel and rebuked those who had intermarried with non Israelite women. (archived audio)

Today I read Nehemiah 12: The wall was dedicated. (archived audio)

I read Galatians 1: Paul warns the Galatians not to accept other “gospels” which are not the gospel at all. (archived audio)

I read 2 Corinthians 13: Paul writes to the church in Corinth to encourage them to check their faith for authenticity, and correct if they are found lacking in any way. (archived audio)

I read 2 Corinthians 12: Paul continues explaining that his motivation is not for personal gain, and that he suffers to be a blessing to them. God even gave him a thorn in his flesh to keep him from being conceited. (archived audio)

I read 2 Corinthians 11: Paul compares himself to some of the criticisms he has received by false apostles who have made false claims. He even foolishly enters into foolish boasts to compare himself with these super-apostles on their own foolish level. (archived audio)

Today I read 2 Corinthians 10: Don’t judge people, and don’t compare your leaders to those who boast and commend themselves. God is the one who approves those He commends. (archived audio)

Today I read 2 Corinthians 9: Paul writes to encourage the church in Corinth to prepare the gift they had promised and to remember God’s generosity to them as well. (archived audio)

Today I listened to and read Nehemiah 11: 1/10th of all of the Israelites went to live in Jerusalem. All of the other cities and their inhabitants were described for the remaining text in the chapter. (archived audio)

Today I read Nehemiah 10: The people promise not to neglect the house of the Lord. They promise not to intermarry with foreigners or trade with them on holy days. They make an oath with a curse for those who break it, and give first fruits and offerings as prescribed by the law. (archived audio)

I read Nehemiah 9: The people of Israel felt bad about their pattern of rebellion, so they separated themselves from their disobedient relationships, fasted, put ashes on their heads, and put on uncomfortable garments. They prayed, worshiped and sacrificed, then made a binding agreement with God. (archived audio)

I read Nehemiah 8: Ezra the priest read the law to the people and they wept, but they were told not to weep on a sacred day, but to celebrate the day, build booths (or temporary shelters) and listen to the book of the law as he read it for seven days. (archived audio)

Today I read Nehemiah 7: After the wall had been rebuilt, the exiles were accounted for, and certain positions were filled. (archived audio)

Today I read Nehemiah 6: People made up lies to try to accuse Nehemiah of revolting and trying to be a new king. They also sent a false prophet to try to scare or intimidate him into doing something wrong out of fear. (archived audio)

I read Nehemiah 5: Nehemiah saw that the famine made many people poor and they were losing their property, Their children were having to be sold into slavery and they were being indebted to their fellow Israelites. He told them that it was not right to charge their brothers interest or to take their property.… Continue reading October 17th

I read Nehemiah 4: Outside opposition grew and ridicule of the wall was spread, trying to discourage the workers. Once the wall was halfway built, the strategy of discouragement was abandoned and outright aggression was the new tactic, so the workers had to divide their attention between building the wall and defending themselves with each… Continue reading October 16th

Today I read Nehemiah 3: Lots of people were mentioned and the parts that they repaired or rebuilt adjoining the wall and its gates. (archived audio)

Today I read Nehemiah 2: Nehemiah was sad while he was cup-bearing, so the king asked him about it. (archived audio)

I read Nehemiah 1: Nehemiah prayed for and confessed the sins of all the people, including his own father’s family, reminding God of His promise to gather His people back, even from distant exile once they return to Him and obey His commands. (archived audio)

Today I read Ezra 10: Ezra wept at Israel’s unfaithfulness, and the families that had married foreign women repented from their disobedience to God’s commands and put away their foreign wives. (Not sure exactly what that means) (archived audio)

I read Ezra 9: Many of the exiles have started to adopt the detestable ways of the people around them, bringing impurity into the community, even intermarrying with the foreign cultures and practices. (archived audio)

Today I read Ezra 8: Lots of families are listed who came from Babylon, and Levites were also gathered together to go with them. They prayed to God for protection and surveyed the sacrifices and offerings they were also bringing with them. (archived audio)

Today I read Ezra 7: Ezra was sent from Babylon with a letter from the Babylonian king instructing treasurers to give him whatever he needs to make sure the law of His God is complied with. Leaders and judges should be established, and nobody should charge the temple workers or Levites any taxes or fees.… Continue reading October 8th

Today I read Ezra 6: The LORD changed the attitude of the king to now not only allow the temple to be rebuilt, but also to fund and support it through the treasury. (archived audio)

Today I read Ezra chapter 5: A letter was written to the king explaining why the temple was being rebuilt, and gave him a little historical background. (archived audio) 3 min 13 sec

Today I read Ezra 4: Some people were opposed to the rebuilding of the temple. They made their case against them to the king and the work was stopped for two years. (archived audio)

I read Ezra 3 today: The people rejoiced really loudly because the foundation was finally laid. (archived audio)

I read Ezra 2 this morning: A list of people returning from exile in Babylon, some had paperwork, others did not. (archived audio)

Today I listened to Ezra 1: King Cyrus allowed the exiles to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, and an inventory was done and recorded. (archived audio)

I read 2 Corinthians 8 this morning: Paul encourages the Corinthians to give. He reminds them of their desire to give expressed last year, to complete their intention with action. (archived audio)

I read 2 Corinthians 7 today: Be glad for Godly sorrow and the repentance it produces, and pursue righteousness and purity. (archived audio)

Today I read 2 Corinthians 6: Accept God’s grace and give it freely, do not align yourselves with unbelievers, do things that please God instead. (archived audio)

I read 2 Corinthians 5: We are growing more at home with Christ, rather than being comfortable on Earth. Be reconciled to God, who brought us the ministry of reconciliation through Christ. (archived audio)

Today I read 2 Corinthians 4: Be encouraged, because our momentary troubles will be outweighed by God’s glory in the end, in eternity. (archived audio)

Today I read 2 Chronicles 35: King Josiah celebrated the passover with the people and then died in battle against Necho due to archer incurred injuries. (archived audio)

Today I read 2 Chronicles 34: King Josiah was moved to renew and comply with a precious covenant God made with Israel, and destroyed all the idols in his jurisdiction. (6 minutes, 31 seconds of archived audio)

Today I listened to and read 2 Chronicles 33: Manasseh did evil, but then was humbled and turned to pray to God. He was returned to his kingdom, but his son Amon was not humble or repentant, so his son’s kingdom was short-lived. (archived audio)

I read 2 Chronicles 32 today: Hezekiah and his city was under siege, and the attacker insulted God, saying that no god could rescue anyone from his attack. God sent an angel to annihilate the attacker’s forces. Hezekiah was very rich and struggled with pride, but his life had a positive end. (archived audio) 6:07… Continue reading September 19th

I read 2 Chronicles 31 today: Hezekiah worked hard and pleased God. He made sure that the Levites and Priests received their income and that the leftovers were stored properly. And this is my favorite passage: “This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his… Continue reading September 18th

Today I read 2 Corinthians 30: Hezekiah prayed for God to pardon the people who came to worship God, but had not properly purified themselves. (archived audio)

Today I read 2 Chronicles 29: King Hezekiah repairs, restores and consecrates the temple and resumes sacrifices and worship, which pleases God. (archived audio)