Compare and contrast the spiritual condition at the time of the captivity to that of the returning exiles in Jerusalem under Ezra and Nehemiah, and then apply what you have learned to evaluate the spiritual condition of the American church. Use the prophets in your answer.
The differences between Ezra and Nehemiah are substantially different of the course of how Ezra change Jerusalem to Nehemiah. Ezra spiritual condition had not foundation, moral or ethical conduct to different religions interfering to God’s truth. Ezra concentration were about Marriage, Student and teacher relationship and God teachings of Moses. The environment of Jerusalem were lost because of different culture, language and mix marriages. Now when these things completed, the princes approached me, saying, “ The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, according to their abomination, those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Pezzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites (Ezra 9:1, NASB). Ezra and God disapproval of mixing of culture, languages, and religion causing disconnect with God. According to Arnold and Beyer, The whole world seem to believe all roads lead to heaven and no single group had the right to claim an exclusive handle of truth (Arnold & Beyer, 2008). This was called syncretism defined the merging of beliefs into one system. Ezra believe it was sin result in guilt. He’s emphasis about intermarriage was about marriage of believers and non-believers, which will result to sin. The next importance is the Student and teacher law of God. The belief of law of marriage undermines God’s covenant of marriages. So now let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives and their children, according to the counsel of my Lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law (Ezra 10:3, NASB). It would destroy God community and God himself. Ezra was the man of Law, and Nehemiah was a man of Leadership. Nehemiah was a hands on officer of leaders of God. …show more content…
First they created a Genealogy of the Israelites. They were political and spiritual leaders, recognize to that the time to renew the covenant (Arnold & Beyer, 2008). Ezra ministry help brought God back to the Jerusalem through reverence and Worship. Then Ezra bless the Lord the Great God. And all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands; then they bow low and worshiped the Lord with their faces on the ground (Nehemiah 8:6, NASB). They both reform and change the policy of government, their people and belief. The city that once was destroyed was built up, again.
Evaluating the two prophets, which prophet reflect the Spiritual condition of the American Church. My evaluation is Ezra because many churches are compose of interfaith marriages. American families are not homogenous family with the same culture, language and tradition. The problem interfaith marriages is that one belief might or will outweigh your belief system. It creates more disparity among the partner, spouses and relationship. Church. Their teaching differ to our belief. Some cases, they convert to their partner or spouse
The differences between Ezra and Nehemiah are substantially different of the course of how Ezra change Jerusalem to Nehemiah. Ezra spiritual condition had not foundation, moral or ethical conduct to different religions interfering to God’s truth. Ezra concentration were about Marriage, Student and teacher relationship and God teachings of Moses. The environment of Jerusalem were lost because of different culture, language and mix marriages. Now when these things completed, the princes approached me, saying, “ The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, according to their abomination, those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Pezzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites (Ezra 9:1, NASB). Ezra and God disapproval of mixing of culture, languages, and religion causing disconnect with God. According to Arnold and Beyer, The whole world seem to believe all roads lead to heaven and no single group had the right to claim an exclusive handle of truth (Arnold & Beyer, 2008). This was called syncretism defined the merging of beliefs into one system. Ezra believe it was sin result in guilt. He’s emphasis about intermarriage was about marriage of believers and non-believers, which will result to sin. The next importance is the Student and teacher law of God. The belief of law of marriage undermines God’s covenant of marriages. So now let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives and their children, according to the counsel of my Lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law (Ezra 10:3, NASB). It would destroy God community and God himself. Ezra was the man of Law, and Nehemiah was a man of Leadership. Nehemiah was a hands on officer of leaders of God. …show more content…
First they created a Genealogy of the Israelites. They were political and spiritual leaders, recognize to that the time to renew the covenant (Arnold & Beyer, 2008). Ezra ministry help brought God back to the Jerusalem through reverence and Worship. Then Ezra bless the Lord the Great God. And all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands; then they bow low and worshiped the Lord with their faces on the ground (Nehemiah 8:6, NASB). They both reform and change the policy of government, their people and belief. The city that once was destroyed was built up, again.
Evaluating the two prophets, which prophet reflect the Spiritual condition of the American Church. My evaluation is Ezra because many churches are compose of interfaith marriages. American families are not homogenous family with the same culture, language and tradition. The problem interfaith marriages is that one belief might or will outweigh your belief system. It creates more disparity among the partner, spouses and relationship. Church. Their teaching differ to our belief. Some cases, they convert to their partner or spouse