The Bible by David Alley

In this video listen to Esther chapter 1, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Esther 1 we enter a kingdom ruled by Xerxes 1, most famous for his invasion of Greece. The book of Esther is located in between Ezra 6 and 7, and is famously the only Old Testament book not found among the dead sea scrolls. Come along with us as we learn more about the time, history and setting of Es...

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 13, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Nehemiah 13 after so much good having happened, the book finishes with the sad story of Tobiah the Ammonite. Who are ammonites, and why were they excluded from God’s assembly? And why was Tobiah allowed to have a room inside the temple? This video explores the final chapter of Nehemiah, what he di...

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 12, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. ' In Nehemiah 12 the wall that has been built is dedicated to the Lord. According to 2 Maccabees 1:18, the events here took place on the 25th of Kislev, about 3 months after the building of the wall was completed. Modern thinkers such as ourselves are conditioned with a separation of church/state min...

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 11, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Nehemiah 11 we enter the third section of the book. The book of Nehemiah is in three rough sections Rebuilding the walls Revival Organising the Temple/Community going forwards. Our lives also need to be brought back to being close to God, and then organised to stay there. Its not enough to rebuilt...

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 10, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Nehemiah 10 there is a revival at work, and the people’s hearts are moved towards the Lord and his Law. But they make a disastrous move… they make a covenant, which is something only God should make. Trying to keep the law with one’s own covenant or effort cannot succeed. Yes the heart must agree...

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 9, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Nehemiah 9 the people attend a solemn assembly, of the type the prophets Joel and Zephaniah called for. They come to listen to the word and end up spending a quarter of a day in public confession of their sins. In this video we cover the events surround this solemn assembly, but also consider why a...

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 8, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Nehemiah 8 we are now in the non-autobiographical part of Nehemiah. Considering that so much of the book of Nehemiah is written in the first person, this third person account in chapter 8 is part of a later inclusion… this video explains how that is ok, and this is still the word of God. Also, in t...

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 7, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Nehemiah 7, which is the longest chapter in this book, we explore what happens when the priests have lost their genealogical records. There was a system using the Urim and the Thummim, but what happens if these are also lost? Watch and find out.

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 6, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Nehemiah 6 there are several sneaky attempts on Nehemiah’s life. The first is more overt, calling him to a diplomatic event in the plains of Ono, but the second is far sneakier. Nehemiah somehow sees through both attempts on this life and is not sucked in.

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 4, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Nehemiah 4 his enemies attack with words, and Nehemiah prays an imprecatory prayer. Similar to the prayers we find in certain Psalms like Psalm 5, Nehemiah calls down judgement on his enemies. This video explore the place for imprecation, and how one should in fact pray for your enemies.

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 3, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Nehemiah 3 the building of the wall commences. The process and plan is outline in this chapter. It also mentions ten gates, some of which have symbolism for our life and ministry. Sheep gate - symbolic of worship - the gate the sheep came in for sacrifice Fish gate - symbolic of harvest/evangelism...

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 2, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Nehemiah 2 he weeps and cries over the state of Jerusalem, something which we should emulate. Jerusalem is of course the Church, according to the New Testament. Because of his position as cupbearer serving the king, something we are all called to do, the Lord notices his weeping and hears his heart...

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 1, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Nehemiah 1 we have a story that commences about 12 years after Ezra, and about 33 years after Esther. It is a story of the broken down wall of Jerusalem, which is a picture of the church. If there is ever a time that the Church needs its walls repaired it is now. So what are these broken down walls...

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 10, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Ezra 10 the book of Ezra wraps up, and we consider revival, which is what happened in Israel under Ezra. The nation turns back to God with moved hearts. For us, how do we get these hearts that are moved. We turn to Charles’ Finney’s lecture on revival for some clues.

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 9, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Ezra 9 we encounter the issue of inter-racial marriage among God’s people. There are BIG differences between this in that time, and in today’s world, where such a thing is fine. This video considers inter-racial marriage, and why the Bible seemed so against it in this chapter. And we find there actuall...

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 8, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Ezra 8 they return with a great deal of treasure, but no formal protection. Ezra was not wanting to ask for a military escort after proclaiming the Lord's grace on them. So he prays, and obtains the grace. They travel for 120 days with great wealth and arrive safely. Ezra fasts and prays… not something...

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 7, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Ezra 7 we now consider Ezra’s journey to Jerusalem - the second of four returns covered in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Ezra takes 4 months to return at a slow pace of about 11-12 miles per day. We also consider the things Artaxerxes said concerning Ezra, adn what is means for us.

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 6, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Ezra 6 we compare the construction of Solomon’s temple with the construction of Ezra’s temple, which took half the time. And we also encounter the use of Aramaic in scripture instead of Hebrew. Aramaic is the third language of scripture, rarely used, but a by-product of the exile, and the language that...

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 5, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Ezra 5 we consider whey the building of the temple was delayed, and we tie in the prophecy of Haggai, a post-exilic prophet. We also contemplate why Darius had such a big heart towards the rebuilding, and why he was so magnanimous towards Ezra. Did Daniel have anything to do with it?

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 4, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Ezra 4 we discover that the people of the land want to sacrifice to Yahweh too, but theirs is a syncretistic worship which is rejected. In this video we learn about Samaritans, and the history behind them, and what brought about such a despised attitude by those of the south. And, we also learn that th...

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 3, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Ezra 3 the foundation of the temple (God’s house) is laid while they sing Psalm 136. For us, what is the foundation of the Lord’s house? According to the NT scriptures it is apostles and prophets, with Christ as the chief cornerstone. (Ephesians 2:20 ) What seems so real in the Old Testament is a symbo...

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 2, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Ezra 2 we learn of the first return to Jerusalem under the new appointed Governer Shezbazzare. There are actually 4 key returning moments described in the old testament. Two are here in Ezra, and a further two in Nehemiah. This first return is in around 536 BC, a full 70 years after Nebuchadnazzers fir...

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 1, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Ezra 1 we meet a most remarkable Bible teacher, and learn why so many books are called Ezra or Esdras I, 2, 3 an even 4 in various versions of the Bible. We also meet Cyrus and learn the remarkable background to this King, and the prophecy by name found in Isaiah the prophet which foretold his actions....

In this video listen to 2 Chronicles Chapter 36, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.

In this video listen to 2 Chronicles Chapter 35, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.