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September 27, 2026 – Celebrate Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah, also called the Feast of Trumpets, begins the Days of Awe. For 10 days between this feast and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), Israel trembled in self-reflection and repentance as, according to tradition, their lives hung in … Continue reading →

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September 13, 2026 – Malachi 3 & 4 – Messiah and His Messenger

The corrupt priests in Malachi’s day were literally robbing God of the tithes while complaining that He is unjust. The prophet enumerates their sins, and warns that God will “suddenly come to His Temple” to purify and purge the priesthood. … Continue reading →

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September 6, 2026 – Malachi 1 – The Sins of the Priests

The prophet Malachi delivers a number of complaints God has against Israel’s priesthood. They were bringing blemished, sick or lame animals for sacrifice, which contradicted commandments in the Torah. That showed they considered God’s table “contemptible.” As a consequence, God … Continue reading →

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August 30, 2026 – Danger of Mixing with the World – Ezra 7-10, Nehemiah 13, Malachi 2

Ezra and Nehemiah arrive in Jerusalem about 60 years after the Temple has been rebuilt. They find a serious problem. Many prominent Jews have taken wives from the idol-worshipping Samaritans and surrounding peoples. The children of these unions barely speak … Continue reading →

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August 23, 2026 – Ezra 5 & 6 – The Temple Completed

When the Jews restart construction on the Temple, the new Persian governor is suspicious. He writes a letter to Darius the king asking him to verify the Jews’ claim that Cyrus had given them permission to build. Darius had already … Continue reading →

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August 9, 2026 – Zechariah 7 & 8 – Fast of Ab Transformed

When a delegation asks if they should continue to mourn the destruction of Jerusalem by observing the Fast of Ab, the prophet Zechariah receives an answer from God. First He chastises them for not simply following His commandments instead of … Continue reading →

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August 2, 2026 – Isaiah 58 – The Fast of Ab Observed

The prophet Isaiah pointed out that the people were fasting to get God’s attention in order to manipulate Him. Instead, he insisted, the true fast was giving up yourself, and would be evidenced by kindness to the poor and obedience … Continue reading →

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