Read Ezra 4:1–5

Determining who to partner with in ministry can be tricky. For example, what level of theological alignment is necessary to lock arms with others in common causes? In Ezra 4, we read that a group of people living in Israel attempted to join the temple-rebuilding efforts, but the returnees refused their help. Why?

These verses indicate that opposition from the people living in the land had persisted for many decades. Verse 5 states, “They bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.” Cyrus is the Cyrus mentioned at the beginning of Ezra, the one who decreed that the exiles should return to Jerusalem to rebuild. Darius I—not the Darius in the book of Daniel—came to power in Persia in 522 BC. Ezra 4:6–7 mentions opposition during the reign of Xerxes (485–465 BC) and the reign of Artaxerxes (464–424 BC). These few verses outline a period of opposition to God’s work that spanned at least 70 years (537–464 BC)!

The “enemies of Judah and Benjamin” (Ezra 4:1) who offered to help say they “have been sacrificing to [God] since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here” (v. 2). Esarhaddon ruled Assyria from 680 to 669 BC. So these people had been in the promised land for more than a century. Though they claimed to worship God like the returnees, at most they worshiped Him as one of many gods. We know this from 2 Kings 17:14–24, which details the syncretism and false worship of the people whom the Assyrians brought to Israel. The returnees refused to compromise by allowing unfaithful people to join in the rebuilding of the LORD’s temple.

Go Deeper

How have you determined who to partner with in ministry? How would you have responded to the offer of help we read about in Ezra 4?

Pray with Us

Serving You alone, O God, matters immensely. You are the one true God. We keep our eyes on You alone; keep our hearts faithful to You.

God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.Ephesians 5:6–7

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Read Ezra 3:7–13

The foundation is the most important part of any building. It has to be stable, secure, and well-built. It’s also the first part to be built because, well, everything else goes on top of it. In Ezra 3:7–13 we read about the laying of the temple’s foundation. There’s great rejoicing over this monumental step, but it’s mixed with weeping from some of the people who were old enough to remember the first temple.

Verses 7 and 8 recount that the workers received payment for their work. This is a small detail that reminds us of what Jesus said in Luke 10:7: “The worker deserves his wages.” Ezra 3:8 gives us a date stamp: “the second month of the second year.” This is April–May, 537 BC; it’s the same month (though a different year, of course) that Solomon began work on the first temple (1 Kings 6). Great care was taken to ensure that the work was overseen properly. This was a massive undertaking of supreme importance.

Finally in verse 10 we read that “the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD.” The priests and Levites erupted in praise, some with trumpets and other with cymbals, and all of them singing “praise and thanksgiving…to the LORD” (v. 11). Quoting Psalm 107:1, they rejoice in God’s hesed, His covenant love toward His people Israel. He had brought them back from exile and allowed them once again to worship Him in the land of Israel (v. 11).

Next the people “gave a great shout of praise,” but some of them “wept aloud” even while “many others shouted for joy” (vv. 11–12). Their great rejoicing was tinged with sorrow for those who had seen Solomon’s temple. Nevertheless, they all rejoiced, for God had shown great faithfulness to His people.

Go Deeper

What do you think of the people’s loud and exuberant worship? Have you ever experienced a time of rejoicing in God like they did?

Pray with Us

Everlasting God, You are our foundation and cornerstone. We build our lives on You. When the storms of life feel mighty, You stand firm.

He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.Ezra 3:11

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Read Ezra 3:4–6

There are two types of people in the world—people who read the instructions before trying to assemble furniture, and others who plunge right in. I guess there’s also a third type: people like me who give up before starting.

In Ezra 3:4–6 we learn that God’s people were the “read the instructions first” type, at least when it came to what was truly important—worshiping the Lord in the way He wanted to be worshiped. We read that they “celebrated the Festival of Tabernacles” “in accordance with what is written” (v. 4). The author goes on to tell us that they presented “the required number of burnt offerings prescribed for each day” (v. 4). After that, “they presented the regular burnt offerings, the New Moon sacrifices and the sacrifices for all the appointed sacred festivals of the LORD, as well as those brought as freewill offerings to the LORD” (v. 5).

Why spend so much space outlining exactly how God’s people obeyed when He could have left it at “in accordance with what is written”? It’s because the author wants to drive home the point that the returned exiles obeyed completely. They followed God’s prescriptions for sacrifice to the letter. Complete obedience matters, especially for these people who had just returned from a seven-decades-long exile due to their lack of obedience.

This section ends with a summary statement about the people’s sacrifices: “On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD.” And it ends by saying they did all of this even “though the foundation of the LORD’s temple had not yet been laid” (v. 6). God’s people had their priorities in order. They built the altar and began to worship God rightly. And they did all of that first, before they’d even begun work on the temple’s foundation.

Go Deeper

How good are you at reading and following God’s directions? Is there an area where you are not following God completely?

Pray with Us

Father, You have outlined how we are to live in Your Word. Help us follow Your commands completely. We do not want to cut corners when obedience feels difficult.

If you love me, keep my commands.John 14:15

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Read Ezra 3:1–3

Courage is not a lack of fear. Courage is doing the right thing even when we’re afraid. We see courage on display in Ezra 3, when the people came “together as one” (v. 1), built an altar, and began offering sacrifices “despite their fear” (v. 3).

The chapter opens with the notice that “the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns” (v. 1). The seventh month, or Tishri (September–October), plays a particularly important role in Israel’s calendar. This is when Israel was to celebrate the new year, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Festival of Tabernacles (see Lev. 23:23–44; Num. 29). This is also the month Solomon dedicated the first temple and prayed his prayer that foreshadowed the people’s sin, the exile, and God’s merciful forgiveness and restoration of His people (see 2 Chron. 6, esp. vv. 36–39).

The returnees wasted no time in getting started on the most important feature of the rebuilt temple: the altar. Significantly, they did this “in accordance with what is written in the Law of Moses, the man of God” (Ezra 3:2). The returnees made every effort to avoid the sins that had caused the Lord to expel them from the land. They were off to a good start, paying close attention to what God revealed in Exodus 27:1–8. In Ezra 3:3 we read that “they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening sacrifices.” This is consistent with what God commanded through Moses in Numbers 28:1–4.

Despite their fear, God’s people demonstrated courage in keeping the Lord’s commands and following the instructions He had given them so many centuries ago. May we demonstrate the same faithfulness over fear!

Go Deeper

What motivated God’s people to demonstrate courage? In what area of your life do you need courage to obey God?

Pray with Us

Dear Lord, You have given us a spirit of courage, not fear. Our study of Ezra reminds us that when we are afraid, we can trust in You. Will You please make us courageous?

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.Psalm 95:6

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Read Ezra 2:64–70

My family and I travel by car twice a year from our home in Sandpoint, Idaho, to a little school in the mountains of Colorado about 1,200 miles away. It usually takes us three days, with several stops and, of course, an overnight at a hotel with a pool. In the book of Ezra, the journey home for the exiles (50,000 people!) was about 900 miles. They traveled by caravan, not by car—a journey that took around four months. What an ordeal!

Now, imagine yourself on a four-month, 900-mile walk with 50,000 of your closest friends. What are you thinking about when you arrive? Crashing into bed? Setting up your new home? Getting something to eat? I’m sure the returnees did all that, but verse 68 describes one thing in particular they did: “When they arrived at the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site.” God’s people gave! They had just made what must have been an exhausting trip across the Middle East, and the first thing they did upon arrival was to give. Why did they give? So the temple could be rebuilt. Think about that.

I’m sure they were exhausted, hungry, tired, worn out, ready for a nap, anxious to get started on their own homes, and a million other things that needed to get done so they could settle into this new life in the promised land. But they put the first thing first. They prioritized restoring God’s temple, because they knew that their relationship with God mattered more than anything else. This example is a reminder for us today to prioritize God and our relationship with Him above all else.

Go Deeper

Why did God’s people prioritize giving upon their return? How can you prioritize your relationship with God above all the other things competing for your attention?

Pray with Us

Father, in the hustle of our everyday lives, we often forget to prioritize spending time with You. Please draw us closer to Yourself. Our relationship with You matters more than anything.

Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.Psalm 86:11

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Read Ezra 2:61–63

Growing up Protestant, and Southern Baptist at that, I had very little understanding of what it meant to be a priest. My limited knowledge was based on the depiction of Roman Catholic priests in popular media. In the Old Testament, the priesthood was quite a bit different. Priests were assigned to offer sacrifices on behalf of God’s people and teach the people His law. These priests were descended from Aaron, the first high priest. And, in the New Testament, we learn that Jesus is the ultimate high priest (Heb. 4:14–16). Through Jesus, all believers are priests: “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5).

God’s people had been exiled from the promised land for their sin, which included improperly worshiping the Lord. So, as they prepared to return from exile, it was essential that they worship God in the way He said they should worship Him. These few verses highlight the necessity of only allowing people qualified to serve as priests for that role. In fact, it was so imperative that if a family could not prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that they were in the family tree of Aaron, then they “were excluded from the priesthood as unclean” (v. 62) and forbidden from eating the sacrifices offered to the Lord. Following God’s commands to the letter was that important.

Obeying God fully remains an important part of our relationship with Him today. He is still holy and still demands that we obey Him with our whole hearts. Jesus is our great high priest, and all believers in Jesus are priests with direct access to the Father. Hallelujah!

Go Deeper

What do you think is the significance of God extending the priesthood to all His followers in the new covenant? How does that access to God impact your relationship with Him?

Pray with Us

Holy God, thank You that we have direct access to You through Jesus Christ. May we never take it for granted. You are a loving God.

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood.1 Peter 2:5

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Read Ezra 2:3–60

Ezra opens with a full chapter that speaks to God’s sovereignty to move the hearts of kings and bring His people back from their well-deserved exile. The second chapter of Ezra is like pulling the emergency brake while flying down the highway at 100 miles per hour. Who is Shephatiah? Adonikam? Mikmash? Hagabah? Why are we given this list of names? And why should we care?

Good questions! The names in Ezra 2 may puzzle us because we’re not accustomed to long lists of family trees. In fact, I’d imagine most of us can’t even name our great-grandparents. Proverbs 22:1 tells us that “a good name is more desirable than great riches.” “Name” in that verse refers to a person’s reputation or standing in the community, but we can extend the principle out a bit as we reflect on this long list of names in Ezra. God’s people had been in exile for 70 years. If you remember your biblical history, you know they were in exile because they committed idolatry—spiritual adultery—and joined in marriage with people who did not follow the Lord. You’ll also remember that when they entered and conquered the land, God gave each tribe a certain allotment of land to tend and care for.

So, as God’s people prepared to return to the land of promise, two things were of paramount importance. First, despite exile, God’s people would remain stewards of the land God owned. Because of this, they should return to the land of their inheritance as outlined in the book of Joshua. Second, God’s people must be faithful to God, unlike those who were exiled. This list of names serves both purposes. The returnees were indeed returning to their ancestral land, and these people were indeed God’s people, descended from Abraham. Through them, God would bless the entire world.

Go Deeper

Why is this list of names important for the book of Ezra? How does this list of ordinary people encourage your faith?

Pray with Us

Gracious Lord, as we steward what You have given us, please help us be faithful. Let us bring blessing to those around us through our good stewardship.

A good name is more desirable than great riches.Proverbs 22:1

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Read Ezra 2:1–2

There’s nothing quite like coming home after a long trip. It is wonderful to sleep in your own bed, eat familiar foods, and pet the family dog. You relax in a way that’s just not possible when you’re away. You are safe. You are secure. You are home.

God’s people had been in exile for decades—that’s a very long time in a place where they don’t speak your language or eat foods unfamiliar to you. They had endured many years in a place that was uncomfortable, unfamiliar, and often inhospitable. We might be tempted to skip over these two verses in Ezra 2 and the long list of names that follow. Instead of reading too quickly past names that get stuck in our mouths (Reelaiah? Zerubbabel?), let’s reflect on the joy these verses represent. These people have been gone for seventy years. This wasn’t a trip across town. And it certainly wasn’t a vacation or a long cruise around the Mediterranean. No, this was forced exile. It was enslavement. It was horror, shame, and abasement.

At last, they were returning home! God had heard His people’s cries for rescue from exile, just as He heard the cries of the Hebrew people enslaved in Egypt (Exod. 2:23–25). God brought His people out of Egypt many centuries before this story, and He led them through wilderness to a land flowing with milk and honey. He did this because of His promises to Abraham (Gen. 15:18–21). God promised to discipline His people when they sinned against Him (Deut. 28:15–68). And finally, God promised to restore His people (Jer. 33). Here, in these short verses, God fulfills Jeremiah’s glorious promise of restoration. Here, God rescues His people once again as “they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to their own town” (v. 1).

Go Deeper

How have you seen God’s restoration in your life? What sort of emotions does this record of God’s faithfulness create in your heart?

Pray with Us

We know the pain of separation from what is comfortable and familiar, God. Please show us where we can grow in the moments that are uncomfortable, even when it is hard.

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.Isaiah 32:18

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Read Ezra 1:7–11

The name Osama bin Laden conjures up a whole host of thoughts and emotions. His name is etched into the collective memory of Americans who lived during the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the ensuing twenty years of war. In a similar way, the name Nebuchadnezzar carried significance to the exiles in Babylon. It had been many decades since the Babylonian king had razed and looted the temple, destroyed Jerusalem, and exiled the people (2 Kings 25). Even still his name loomed large over their collective consciousness.

These five verses, three of which recount the items returned to the Jewish prince Sheshbazzar, carry heavy emotional and theological freight. First, they mention the Babylonian king whom God had used to judge His people. His name reminded the exiles of their shared history of idolatry and spiritual adultery. It also reminded them of God’s faithfulness to keep His covenant—even its curses (see Deut. 28). Second, we are reminded that Nebuchadnezzar dishonored the Lord by looting the temple and—shame of all shames—placing the “the articles belonging to the temple of the LORD… in the temple of his god” (v. 7).

Third and most importantly, we see God’s faithfulness to His name and to His people, as well as the great theme of reversal that resounds throughout Scripture. Though all seemed lost, and though God had punished His people greatly, He also forgave them. God would not leave His people in exile forever, nor would He allow His name to be profaned forever. Items meant for worship of the one true God would not remain in the temple of an idol. We can rejoice greatly that “Sheshbazzar brought all these along with the exiles when they came up from Babylon to Jerusalem” (v. 11). God kept His promise to discipline His people, and now He would keep His promise to restore them!

Go Deeper

What does this passage teach us about God’s character? How does this encourage your faith today?

Pray with Us

You are always faithful to keep Your promises, Lord. May we mirror this faithfulness in our own lives and be people who are true to our word.

I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.Psalm 26:3

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Read Ezra 1:5–6

Even today, with professional help readily available, moving to a new home is a big deal. Cross-country moves can be logistical nightmares, not to mention international moves. In Ezra 1:5–6, we see God’s people begin the long journey from Persia back to Jerusalem.

Cyrus’s decree (see 1:2–4) ended by commanding the non-Hebrew people “to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem” (v. 4). Verse 6 records the obedience of these people: “All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings.” This series of events reminds us of the exodus, when God’s people “plundered” the Egyptians, who loaded them with goods as they departed after the fateful Passover. God had rescued His people before, and here He does it again! If God has called you to do something, rest assured that He will give you the means to obey. Just as He was throughout Scripture, He will continue to be faithful today. As the Scriptures say, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

Verse 5 states that the “family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites—everyone whose heart God had moved—prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.” Notice a few things. First, the family heads were responsible to lead their families in obeying the Lord. Second, the priest and Levites, who were responsible for leading Israel in worship and keeping the Torah, led the nation in obeying the Lord. And third, pay special attention to that part in the middle: God moved their hearts. This pattern holds true today.

Go Deeper

How is the Lord moving your heart today? Do you trust that He will provide you with all you need, just as He has provided so many times before?

Pray with Us

Dear Jesus, what are You calling us to do with our lives? Please reveal to us the work that You have prepared for us and move our hearts to obey.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.Hebrews 13:8

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Read Ezra 1:2-4

The Persian Empire was not a democracy. The king didn’t need to please his people. He was not concerned with reelection, and his word reigned supreme. The book of Ezra opens like the book of 2 Chronicles closes, with a decree from King Cyrus that God’s exiled people may return home at last!

Cyrus opens by crediting Israel’s God with his success. He states, “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth” (v. 2). We know from an ancient artifact called the Cyrus Cylinder that Cyrus made similar claims about the Babylonian god Marduk. So it’s doubtful that Cyrus had converted to true faith in the one true God. Nevertheless, Cyrus spoke more accurately than he knew, for in the case of Israel’s God, what he said was true. Yahweh, and not Marduk or any other god ancient or modern, is Lord over all things. The Lord delivered Judah into Babylon’s hands, and now He had moved Cyrus’s heart to free the people from Persian captivity.

Cyrus also said Yahweh “appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah” (v. 2). The temple was the cornerstone of Hebrew religion, where God dwelled among His people. But God was not confined to this temple—not even in Old Testament times—for He was with His people in exile, and He remained with them as He brought them home. It seemed that Cyrus didn’t quite understand the reality that God is God everywhere, for he calls him “the God who is in Jerusalem” (v. 3). Of course, God is in Jerusalem, but more importantly, God is everywhere. God’s presence dwelt with His people even in the land of Persia, where He turned Cyrus’s heart to decree His people’s freedom.

Go Deeper

What did Cyrus not understand about God (see v. 3)? Why does it matter that God rules over all things, including unbelieving kings like Cyrus?

Pray with Us

Heavenly Father, when we feel alone or abandoned, remind us of the truth that You are God everywhere. You are always with us and always see us, no matter where we are.

The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth.Ezra 1:2

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Read Ezra 1:1

It was 70 years ago, in 1956, that Jim Elliot and four fellow missionaries were speared to death in Ecuador while attempting to contact and evangelize the Waorani tribe. Their story, featured in Life magazine, inspired countless individuals to dedicate their lives to missionary service. And it continues to inspire others seven decades later.

Seventy years is also how long God’s people toiled in Babylonian captivity. The Hebrew people might have been tempted to think God had abandoned them forever, but the book of Ezra opens with these words: “In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia” (Ezra 1:1).

Here was the most powerful ruler in the world, and God reached down to move his heart. The people had waited for God to move for 70 years. Why now? God was fulfilling His promise through Jeremiah (Jer. 25:11–13) that He would rescue His beloved people out of captivity and return them to the land He had promised them (Gen. 15:12–19). The people’s sins were great, that’s certain. And 70 years no doubt felt like a long time. But this first verse in Ezra reminds us of the great truth of the gospel: God’s promises are certain and His mercy is greater than our sin.

Though God had disciplined His people for their sin, and though He disciplines His children today, He never once—and never will—abandon those He loves. As the writer of Hebrews says, “strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees” (Heb. 12:12), and we can, because we know the One who has redeemed us. God is trustworthy, and His promises sure. Even the king’s heart is a “stream of water” in the Lord’s hands.

Go Deeper

Have you experienced a long period of waiting on God? How does today’s passage reassure you that God’s delay does not mean He will not act?

Pray with Us

Lord, we thank You for keeping Your promises and showing us such great mercy. We praise You for redeeming us. There is none like You.

In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.Proverbs 21:1

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Read James 3:3–10

When I teach creative writing, I read the entire book of James out loud to my college students. I give them each a printed copy of the text to follow along. While they listen, I ask them to circle every example of imagery they hear. This keeps them busy. James is full of striking metaphors, similes, and descriptions.

Chapter 3 is another good example of this. Here, James challenged his readers with the power of their communication. Using the metaphors of a bit in the mouth of a horse (v. 3), the small rudder on a great ship (v. 4), and a spark which can start a raging fire (v. 5), James describes how something very small like our tongue can have enormous and far-reaching consequences.

When James used “tongue” in this passage, he is using another figure of speech called a metonymy. One word is substituted for a concept with which it is closely associated. Typically, a concrete object stands in for a more abstract idea. The “tongue” represents not just the physical organ, but our human capacity for verbal expression. Communication shapes our relationships, creates culture, and even affects eternity.

James spends time developing his image of the tongue as a fire—with uncontrollable potential (vv. 6–8). Words, once expressed, cannot be reversed. And their effects often spread far beyond our intent. James intensified the warning by calling the tongue a “restless evil” and “full of deadly poison” (v. 8). Language is a primary vehicle through which sin is expressed. In verses 9–10, James confronted the most piercing contradiction. With the same tongue, Christ followers praised God—and cursed other human beings. James rebukes his audience for such behavior.

Go Deeper

Once again, James hits close to home for most of us. Is your speech consistent with your theology? Check your speech for both blessing and cursing.

Pray with Us

How it must grieve Your Spirit when we worship you but tear each other down with our tongues! We are sorry that we do not always cherish the people You have made in Your own image.

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.James 3:5

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Read James 1:19–27

The authorship of James is typically attributed to Jesus’ half-brother. This epistle was likely written soon after Pentecost (as early as AD 35). It may even be the earliest New Testament document. James is writing to “the twelve tribes scattered among the nations” (James 1:1)— Jews who believed in Jesus as the Messiah and had left Jerusalem, possibly due to persecution. They had a foundation of faith but were lacking maturity. So James was writing to teach them how to live out their Christian commitment under difficult circumstances. A thesis statement for the book could be “faith without works is dead” (2:17).

James frequently references the teaching of Jesus. In The Moody Bible Commentary, John F. Hart notes 24 specific parallels with Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Most relevant to our study, almost every chapter of James includes lessons on communication.

Today’s passage opens with three directives: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (v. 19). Christlike communication begins with careful, humble listening, which leads to measured responses and tames tempers. Uncontrolled anger, wrote James, can be a significant barrier to our growth and sanctification (v. 20).

James calls on his readers to listen to the Word of God (v. 22)—but not as passive hearers. Rather, James demands an active listening that results in obedience. James uses the simile of a person who looks in a mirror and ignores his reflection to describe someone who hears God’s Word but does not obey (vv. 23–24). By contrast, the person who studies the Word and changes accordingly will enjoy reward (v. 25). Finally, James boldly declares the religion of his readers “worthless” if it does not result in self-control in their speech and compassion for the needy (vv. 26–27).

Go Deeper

Watch this interview as our author Kelli Worrall describes the power of our words and why we need to keep a tight reign on them.

Pray with Us

Lord, it is not always easy to be quick to listen and slow to speak and become angry. When we are struggling, please give us self-control. We want to reflect You well.

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.James 1:26

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Read James 3:3–10

When I teach creative writing, I read the entire book of James out loud to my college students. I give them each a printed copy of the text to follow along. While they listen, I ask them to circle every example of imagery they hear. This keeps them busy. James is full of striking metaphors, similes, and descriptions.

Chapter 3 is another good example of this. Here, James challenged his readers with the power of their communication. Using the metaphors of a bit in the mouth of a horse (v. 3), the small rudder on a great ship (v. 4), and a spark which can start a raging fire (v. 5), James describes how something very small like our tongue can have enormous and far-reaching consequences.

When James used “tongue” in this passage, he is using another figure of speech called a metonymy. One word is substituted for a concept with which it is closely associated. Typically, a concrete object stands in for a more abstract idea. The “tongue” represents not just the physical organ, but our human capacity for verbal expression. Communication shapes our relationships, creates culture, and even affects eternity.

James spends time developing his image of the tongue as a fire—with uncontrollable potential (vv. 6–8). Words, once expressed, cannot be reversed. And their effects often spread far beyond our intent. James intensified the warning by calling the tongue a “restless evil” and “full of deadly poison” (v. 8). Language is a primary vehicle through which sin is expressed. In verses 9–10, James confronted the most piercing contradiction. With the same tongue, Christ followers praised God—and cursed other human beings. James rebukes his audience for such behavior.

Go Deeper

Once again, James hits close to home for most of us. Is your speech consistent with your theology? Check your speech for both blessing and cursing.

Pray with Us

How it must grieve Your Spirit when we worship you but tear each other down with our tongues! We are sorry that we do not always cherish the people You have made in Your own image.

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.James 3:5

https://www.moodybible.org/

Read Hebrews 1:1–4

In Matthew 21:33–44, Jesus told this parable: A landowner leased his vineyard to several tenants. When he sent his servants to retrieve his produce, the tenants killed them. When the landowner sent a larger group of servants to complete the errand, the tenants killed them as well. Finally, the landowner sent his own son. However, the tenants saw in the son an even greater opportunity. They killed him, seeking his inheritance.

The servants in the parable were the prophets, sent by God and rejected by the Jewish leaders. The son represented Jesus—God’s ultimate messenger. Through this parable, Jesus demonstrated God’s persistent communication with Israel, despite their objections. Hebrews also opens with a clear declaration of divine communication: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (vv. 1–2). God has always communicated with His people through different methods.

The “but” in verse 2 does not indicate a contrast, but rather the continuation and climax of God’s communication. Jesus’ arrival was the fulfillment of the prophets’ messages, and He was a superior revelation for many reasons. He was the divinely appointed “heir of all things” (v. 2b). No prophet could claim such an inheritance. He was also the Creator of the universe, while the prophets were among the created beings (v. 2c). Jesus radiated God’s glory and was “the exact representation of his being” (v. 3a). Divine communication was no longer shadowed or indirect. To see the Son was to know the Father. Jesus was also the ultimate revelation because He alone provided the atonement for our sins (v. 3b). He alone returned to the right hand of God on high. And He alone was superior to the angels (v. 4).

Go Deeper

In what ways has God communicated to people? What are ways we can hear God’s voice today?

Pray with Us

We stand in awe at the gift of Your Son, Father God. May we never take Your sacrifice for granted. We praise Your holy name!

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.Hebrews 1:1–2

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Read Philippians 4:1–9

“Intrapersonal communication” describes how we speak to ourselves—our thoughts, our self-talk, our reflection. It includes the way we process emotion, the lies we battle, and the truth we bring to bear. Philippians chapter 4 has much to say about the way we communicate within ourselves.

In Philippians 4, Paul calls the church to a communal life of joy and peace. First, he addresses them with gushing relational language—“my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown” (v. 1). The Philippian church was dear to Paul’s heart. They were his first church plant in Europe and had supported him throughout his ministry (v. 15).

Paul then focuses on a specific conflict between two women, Euodia and Syntyche, urging them to “be of the same mind in the Lord” (v. 2). He had already stressed the importance of unity in his letter (1:27–30; 2:1–4). Now he names these women—not to shame them, but to restore them to right communion. Churchwide unity, Paul advised, is fostered one relationship at a time. Paul also invited others to mediate. As we saw in Matthew 18, reconciliation often involves the community.

Then Paul laid out a pathway to supernatural peace. It begins with rejoicing—a command repeated twice (v. 4). Rejoice is a verb, something we do rather than feel. We communicate rejoicing to God and to others. Our reason to rejoice is the Lord, who promises His presence (v. 5b).

Paul encourages us to look outward and care for others with gentleness (v. 5a), bring our concerns to the Lord in prayer (v. 6), rest in His peace (v. 7), and settle our minds on what is true, right, lovely, and so on (v. 8). Only God (v. 9), can provide the supernatural peace to govern our hearts and our minds.

Go Deeper

Do you struggle to find peace? Which part of Paul’s advice can you practice today?

Pray with Us

When we practice unity with other believers, we have true joy. Give us gentleness and love to live in community well. Thank you for the fellowship that You bring!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!Philippians 4:4

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Read Ephesians 4:25–32

American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne once wrote: “Words—so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become, in the hands of one who knows how to combine them!”

The apostle Paul often talked about the way we speak. In the first three chapters of Ephesians, Paul instructed the church on the blessings of redemption, their regeneration from death to life, and the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles in the church. Chapter 4 makes a clear transition to application: “Live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (v. 1). Living this worthy life involves maintaining unity in the Spirit (vv. 2–13), maturing in love (vv. 14–16), and trading the old self for the new (vv. 17–24).

Then Paul turns his attention to the tongue. The believers’ speech was the main way to build unity, and their words should reflect their transformed identity. First, Paul called them to truthfulness (v. 25). Lies fracture the body, destroying trust, but truth- telling brings members together. Next, Paul addresses anger (vv. 26–27). He acknowledges the existence of the emotion but calls the Ephesians to resolve it quickly. Unsettled anger festers, giving Satan a foothold.

Finally, Paul challenges the Ephesians to edification. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths” (v. 29). Our communication has the power to “encourage” (literally “to put heart into” someone). Christlike communication is not simply about avoiding bad words but actively participating in God’s work of renewal and unification. When our speech reflects truth, grace, and forgiveness, the church becomes a testimony to the transforming power of the gospel.

Go Deeper

We often focus on not saying negative words, but let’s consider how can we use our words in a positive way. How might you use words to build someone up today?

Pray with Us

Good Father, thank You for reminding us what Christ-focused communication looks like. As we interact with one another, may we prioritize truth, patience, and edification.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.Ephesians 4:29

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Read 1 Corinthians 9:15–23

In 1962, Don and Carol Richardson went to Papua New Guinea (then Dutch New Guinea) to work among the Sawi tribe. The Sawi people valued revenge and practiced ritualistic cannibalism. So when the Richardsons first shared the gospel with them, they perceived Judas Iscariot as the hero because his actions brought retribution. Then, Don discovered the Sawi custom of the “peace child.” In this ritual, when two warring tribes were seeking peace, one tribe would give a newborn male infant to the other as a pledge. The receiving tribe was then bound to care for the child, ensuring peace for a whole generation. Using this framework, Don retold the gospel. The Sawi were able to grasp the depth of Christ’s sacrifice. The Richardsons’ journey is documented in their book Peace Child.

In 1 Corinthians 9, the apostle Paul discusses his motivation and method for preaching the gospel. In verses 15–18, Paul stated that his motivation was not monetary. Paul had a right to receive compensation for ministry (v. 14). However, Paul wanted nothing to hinder his communication (v. 12). So he preached voluntarily and out of obedience. His only reward was the gospel ministry itself (v. 18).

Then, Paul expressed his methodology. Paul adapted his communicative approach based on his audience. To the Jews, he spoke as a Jew. To the Gentiles, he spoke as a Gentile (v. 20). He never changed the content of the gospel. Instead, he would use humility and cultural awareness to contextualize the message for his intended audience. He wanted each person to understand this life-changing message. This is a model that missionaries and evangelists still follow today.

Go Deeper

Do you know someone (or even a group of people) resistant to the gospel? How might you contextualize the message to help them better understand it?

Pray with Us

Your free gift of salvation crosses all ethnic and cultural barriers, Lord. When we are sharing the gospel with others, please give us the words to say that will help them understand Your love.

I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.1 Corinthians 9:22

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Read Romans 1:16–25

What aspect of creation best communicates the nature of God to you? Is it the majesty of the Rocky Mountains? The pure joy of a bubbling stream? The delicate intricacy of a flower petal? The fierce power of a crashing wave?

Romans 1 describes the ways in which God communicates and how humanity has responded. Paul begins by declaring that he is “not ashamed of the gospel” (v. 16). He knows it is not merely information about God but the very power of God (v. 17).

However, Paul continues—not only had God’s righteousness been revealed, but also His wrath (v. 18). God’s anger is directed at the wicked, who ignore and suppress the truth of God’s clear revelation. Paul insists that “what may be known about God is plain to them” (v. 19). From the beginning of time, God has clearly communicated His power and His character through His creation. Paul declares God’s communication to be clear and understandable—so much so that mankind is “without excuse” (v. 20). No one can say, “He didn’t reveal Himself to me.”

Verses 21–25 describe the tragic slippery slope of people who “knew God,” who recognized Him through His revelation, but who chose not to glorify Him or thank Him for all that He had done. Their thinking became nonsensical. Their hearts became unable to perceive truth (v. 21). Sadly, they deceived themselves—perceiving themselves as wise, even though they were fools (v. 22). When divine revelation is ignored, lies fill the vacuum. These individuals became obsessed with the mortal world—worshiping the created elements and indulging their sinful desires (vv. 23–24). So God let them go. He “gave them over.” Yet, Paul reminded his Roman readers, the Creator will be forever praised (v. 25).

Go Deeper

How do you see God revealed in the beauty of nature? Describe a moment when you were overwhelmed by our Creator God.

Pray with Us

Thank You for revealing Yourself to us in what You have created, Lord! In the beginning, You made everything, and You made it good. We praise You for Your creativity and handiwork.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen.Romans 1:20

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