The holy sites in Jerusalem exist as objects of international veneration and sites of nationalist contest. They stand at the heart of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, yet surprisingly, the many efforts to promote peace, mostly by those outside the Middle East, have ignored the problem. This 2006 book seeks to address this omission by focusing upon proposals of development of a legal regime to protect the holy sites separable from the final peace negotiations to not only protect the holy sites but promote peace by removing these particularly volatile icons from the field of conflict. Peace and the protection of the holy sites cannot occur without the consent and co-operation of those on the ground. This book supports local involvement by developing a comprehensive plan for how to negotiate: outlining the relevant history, highlighting issues of import, and identifying effective strategies for promoting negotiation.

This monograph is a study of the perceptions reflected in the Book of Haggai regarding the primary social, political and religious institutions in early Persian Yehud. Special attention is given to the form and function of prophecy, and to the role of the prophet in society. The study includes a history of the criticism of Haggai, a study of the book’s redactional history and socio-political context, and an exegesis and literary analysis of the text. It concludes with an examination of the distinctive perspectives found in the book and the sociological and religious milieu that produced them. The work is particularly useful for its detailed analysis of the biblical text, its attention to recent literature on the early Persian period, and its multidisciplinary and integrative approach.

Darius I, King of Persia, claims to have accomplished many deeds in the early years of his reign, but was one of them the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem? The editor who added the date to the books of Haggai and Zechariah thought so, and the author of Ezra 1-6 then relied on his dates when writing his account of the rebuilding process. The genealogical information contained in the book of Nehemiah, however, suggests otherwise; it indicates that Zerubbabel and Nehemiah were either contemporaries, or a generation apart in age, not some 65 years apart. Thus, either Zerubabbel and the temple rebuilding needs to be moved to the reign of Artaxerxes I, or Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the city walls needs to be moved to the reign of Darius I. In this ground-breaking volume, the argument is made that the temple was built during the reign of Artaxerxes I. The editor of Haggai and Zechariah mistakenly set the event under Darius I because he was influenced by both a desire to show the fulfillment of inherited prophecy and by Darius widely circulated autobiography of his rise to power. In light of the settlement patterns in Yehud during the Persian period, it is proposed that Artaxerxes I instituted a master plan to incorporate Yehud into the Persian road, postal, and military systems. The rebuilding of the temple was a minor part of the larger plan that provided soldiers stationed in the fortress in Jerusalem and civilians living in the new provincial seat with a place to worship their native god while also providing a place to store taxes and monies collected on behalf of the Persian administration.

This fascinating, fast-moving overview of contemporary events shows why the Temple is significant in Bible prophecy and how, more than ever, Israel is ready to rebuild.

Can you believe the Holy Bible? Understanding the answer to this question is one of the most important pieces of information you can possess. Yet people go through life unsure whether the Bible is fact or fraud. They simply don't take the time to address this life-altering question. Some say the Bible is just a collection of stories and fables. Some acknowledge that the Bible is good historical literature, but they don't think it applies in today's world. Others think it is OK to read as long as you don't have something else to do. But is this really a good way to treat information that can make a difference in this life as well as the one to come? Some people don't turn to the Bible until they find themselves in a severe crisis. Many a person in prison, held hostage, recovering from a drug addiction or experiencing a terrible tragedy finally turns to the Bible for encouragement and direction. But what good is this if we aren't sure that what the Bible says is true? You don't have to wait until you are in the middle of a severe crisis to read or prove the Bible's validity for today. Start today to understand how the Bible harmonizes with science, is verified by archaeology, and offers insight for the best life possible. Read this Bible Study aid booklet, Is the Bible True?, and start getting the answers! Chapters in this ebook: -- One of the World's Most Popular Books -- In Their Own Words: Great Men and Women Who Highly Respected the Bible -- The Bible in the Modern World -- Humanity's Bias Against the Supernatural -- The Bible and Astronomy -- Earth's Age: Does the Bible Indicate a Time Interval Between the First and Second Verses of Genesis? -- The Bible and Archaeology -- Cyrus of Persia: The Words of a Prophet Come to Pass -- A Staggering Archaelogical Discovery: The Mighty Assyrian Empire Emerges From the Dust -- King David's Existence Verified by Inscription -- Does Archaeology Confirm the Existence of Specific People Mentioned in the Bible? -- The Bible and Science -- The Biblical Authors: Men of God and Science -- Bible and Prophecy -- Modern Conditions Were Foretold in Scripture Many Centuries Ago -- The Bible and You -- Does the Bible Contain Errors? Inside this Bible Study Aid ebook: "Science cannot of itself tell us why the earth and the physical creation exist. Wrote Carl Sagan: “Why it happened is the greatest mystery we know. That it happened is reasonably clear” . But the Bible tells us why!" "Nutritionist David Meinz says that even though we may not understand all aspects of the biblical dietary laws, we would be wise to follow them." "The understanding of some major prophetic events is crucial as a guide to comprehending where we stand chronologically in God’s plan. The Bible is the lone trustworthy guide in these matters."

Wherever you work, in whatever capacity, the Scriptures have something to say about it. Theology of work Bible commentary is an in-depth Bible study tool put together by a group of biblical scholars, pastors, and workplace Christians to help you discover what the New Testament says about work. --Provided by publisher.