In the years of Israel's captivity, prior to the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, scripture was not read. The temple scrolls remained unopened for many years.

The people did not observe the festivals of Israel, and they did not observe the law. They did not celebrate Passover, or any of the Jewish holidays. They did not refrain from working on the Sabbath. The temple scrolls sat unopened for so long that the people forgot about the Jewish holidays and had no knowledge of God's command to honor the Sabbath day.

When Ezra and Nehemiah returned to Israel, Ezra the scribe read the scrolls to the whole assembly of the people. When he heard what Ezra read, Nehemiah became aware that laws were not being followed and instituted reforms.

Nehemiah was tough. He had the gates of the city closed for the duration of the Sabbath so people could not bring merchandise inside. For two Sabbaths in a row, merchants camped outside the city wall so they could be the first to set up shop when Sabbath was over. Nehemiah warned them that if the did it again he would, "lay hands on them." They didn't do it again.

When I was a confirmation student, I used to think my pastor was pretty tough. He was nothing compared to Nehemiah. In one passage it says Nehemiah beat people and pulled out people's hair in order to get them to follow the law.

When Nehemiah came to Israel he had the backing of the king of Persia. He governed the land on behalf of the king. It was not a democracy. His word was law.

Nehemiah didn't like the fact that Jewish men had married foreign women. The foreign wives were sent out of the country along with their children.

If Nehemiah were a 21st century Christian and showed up in the good old USA with the type of power and authority he had in Israel; we would see some changes. The mall would definitely be closed on Sunday. I think we would see other changes as well.

It may be that he would send unbelievers out of the country. If he did what he did in Israel, we would have less freedom, most likely there would be censorship, and maybe people would be beaten for not attending worship services.

I suspect the Jerry Springer show would be off the air and a lot of CDs with objectionable lyrics would be gone.

I like living in a country where we can worship or not worship as we choose. I am not in favor of government censorship. I believe that forced worship is not worship at all. However, I do impose restrictions on myself. I believe they are in my best interest.

The scrolls that Ezra read had no power over the people for all those years when they were rolled up gathering dust. Bibles that sit on shelves unopened gathering dust have no power over our lives.

When Ezra read the scrolls things changed in the land of Israel. When I read the Bible, it has the power to change my life.

If I watch the Jerry Springer show, or listen to the lyrics of a foul mouthed, woman hating rap artist that has an affect on my life too. In fact these things affect all who listen to them.

Who would argue that the people in our nation are better behaved today then they were fifty years ago? Who would argue that the lyrics of today's songs and the contents of today's television shows are not partly to blame?

Do you want to fight back? I do. Here is something anyone can do.

Dust off the Bible on your shelf, read it and let it influence your life. Toss out some objectionable CDs. Don't watch objectionable television shows.

May God inspire you to make some serious reforms in your life, and may God shower blessings upon you and yours in the New Year.

Sincerely,

Pastor Birk