The people of Israel including the priests and

The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices … They have taken some of their daughters as wives … and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them. And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness (Ezra 9: 1, 2) 32 - The last three OT giants: Ezra, Nehemiah & Malachi (1) 1

‘Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire. ’ When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven (Neh. 1: 3, 4) 32 - The last three OT giants: Ezra, Nehemiah & Malachi (2) 2

I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few men. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. . There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on (Neh. 2: 11, 12) 32 - The last three OT giants: Ezra, Nehemiah & Malachi (3) 3

Judah has broken faith. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the Lord loves, by marrying the daughter of a foreign god … (Mal. 2: 11) “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask: ‘How do we rob you? ’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse – the whole nation of you – because you are robbing me” (Mal. 3: 8, 9) 32 - The last three OT giants: Ezra, Nehemiah & Malachi (4) 4

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse … Test me in this”, says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it” (Mal. 3: 10) 32 - The last three OT giants: Ezra, Nehemiah & Malachi (5) 5

Discussion & dialogue Discuss how Ezra’s ‘separation message’ applies to the Church of today, and why With your small group, design a missions plan for a city, using Nehemiah’s six principles Discuss whether missionaries should only receive or also give tithes? In case of doubt, look up Numbers 18: 26, 28 32 - The last three OT giants: Ezra, Nehemiah & Malachi (6) 6