Ezra 1:1-11; 2: King Cyrus of Persia lets the Jews go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Chapter 2 tells the number of people going back, 42,000+. This doesn't hold much interest for me. I'm not much on rebuilding things. When Notre Dame burnt down in Paris a few years ago, I figured they should just build affordable housing. What do I know? But I'm thinking about the poor people that were left behind in Judah to take care of the land (2nd Kings 25:12). Their Persian overlords have probably left them alone to plant and harvest. Now all the uppity-ups are coming back to set up the temple and ritual ceremonies and probably collect a temple tax. Nothing gets better for them.
2nd Corinthians 1:12-19: Paul explains why he hasn't come to visit the church in Corinth again. It's because he doesn't want to yell at them for their slacking faith and following false apostles. Some are probably properly chastened, but some probably feel relief. Don't need that old windbag back here. Who is he to tell us what to believe? He has such an ego and is always going on about his sufferings.
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