Daily Bible Reading Day 167

Ezra 9-10; Acts 1.   As the book of Ezra draws to a close we come upon perhaps the reason for Ezra's coming to Jerusalem, to cleanse Jerusalem and the land of their impurity. Namely, marriage to foreigners. It's not because they are foreigners (i.e. racially different) but because they worship foreign gods and idols. Marriage brings idolatry into the life of an Israelite. Israel pledged to God in the Torah (Law of Moses) that she would not do this. So the purge begins. Alas we will learn in Nehemiah that not everyone got the message.

The book of Acts opens with Luke addressing Theophilus of his previous writing (Luke) and that now he intends to take the story a step further by showing Jesus' disciples in their doing and teaching. Jesus continues to teach the disciples for 40 days. Tells them to wait in Jerusalem until they receive the promise of the Father (the Holy Spirit). Then Jesus ascends to heaven. An angel tells them that he will return just as he left. In Jerusalem Peter tells them they need to replace Judas according to Scripture. He gives the requirements of the one they need and two are put forth as candidates. They cast lots, trusting God to guide their lots, and choose Matthias.