We’ve heard much of external threats to the community in Ezra-Nehemiah, but here Nehemiah turns to confront internal struggles, as brothers and sisters suffer oppression—even from oppressors in their community! Yet see how, through Nehemiah, the Lord meets the needs of those who need provision and of those who need forgiveness and accountability. And let us see how Nehemiah points us to Jesus, who meets our deepest needs.

Paul signs off his letter to the church in Philippi with a standard closing greeting—or is it? Does he, perhaps, instead put his own particular spin on a letter closing, just as he does with letter openings, and subtly sum up all that he has communicated over the course of his epistle?

In the face of dire circumstances Paul instructs the Philippians to rejoice! Why? How can this be? What does this sort of life look like?