Day 253..."Nehemiah is persistent and generos...Dog which cannot bark...Paul gets a haircut!"

Nehemiah finishes rebuilding the wall in just fifty-two days. He prevails as people seek to undermine his leadership. This message of rebuilding the wall is inspiring about persistence, teamwork, unity, and overcoming adversity. I have really been moved by reading this Book in our journey through the Bible. Isaiah says poor leaders have "no bark" and gives traits bad leaders..."they are all silent dogs;they cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. The dogs have a mighty appetite;they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding;they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all." These leaders sound like the opposite of the Kingdom of God..."shepherds without understanding." Paul's stories are all interesting and in today's reading he receives a haircut. He was following protocol for having just taken a vow. Apollos also proves to be an intriguing character in chapter 18. He was very knowledgeable about Scripture...but needed some basic teaching about Christ. Aguila and Priscilla tutored him in private. The NIV study notes point out this was a good way to bring a gifted and eloquent man along without public embarrassment. This model of correcting in private still works well today.