Cyril J Barber

Contemporary writers who have chosen to comment on the lives of people mentioned in the Bible invariably fall into one of two groups: the first provide us with pen portraits that paint the individual(s) without a single failing; the second appear to be so intent on portraying the weakness(es) of those whom they write that there is little or nothing for us to emulate. This work attempts to be different. By paying attention to the literary nuances in the original text, as well as the history, geography and social milieu of the different people, an attempt has been made to provide an accurate description of each person and his/her work. Next to our Lord Jesus Christ there is no one in the New Testament who can be compared with the Apostle Paul. Around the life of the Lord Jesus there clustered, on the one hand, His disciples, and on the other, His malignant adversaries. Similarly, around the life of Paul we read of his loyal friends as well as his relentless enemies. Paul's friends and foes, who are mentioned in the book of Acts, are treated in this book. When Paul was nearing the end of his earthly pilgrimage, he was languishing in the Mamertine Prison in Rome. It was then and still is a cold, comfortless dungeon. Paul wrote to Timothy and urged him to come to him before winter and bring with him certain of his possessions, including a cloak, that he had left in Troas. Paul, of course, had many friends, but Timothy was closest to Troas. Who were his friends, and what did they do? They are representatives of the multitude of people who, often unhonored and unsung, are worthy of our attention, for in many respects they are like us. It is the hope of the author that reading about these men and women will encourage a fresh study of the book of Acts. Dr. Cyril J. Barber is pastor emeritus of Plymouth Church, Whittier, California. He lives with his wife of fifty years in Hacienda Heights. Their family consists of two sons, two daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren.

With the publication of this volume Cyril Barber brings to a close thirty years of study and research on the books of Joshua through Esther. His treatment of each of these canonical writings is devotional and was written during his busy pastoral and teaching ministry. The Book of Ezra. Jewish tradition has made Ezra one of the most celebrated personages in all the history of his people. Five great works are attributed to him: (1) The founding of the ""Great Synagogue,"" or synod of learned Jewish scholars; (2) the settlement of the sacred ""canon,"" or recognized list of authoritative Hebrew Scriptures; (3) the establishment of the Hebrew Scriptures in square Assyrian characters; (4) the compilation of the Chronicles, along with the book that now bears his own name, and possibly Psalm 119; and (5) the institution of local synagogues. The Book of Ezra has been looked upon as Israel's ""second exodus,"" for under the leadership of Zerubbabel a large number of Jewish expatriates journeyed from Babylon to Jerusalem, and in spite of many difficulties rebuilt the Temple. Years passed before Ezra led a second group of exiles to Jerusalem. He based all he did on the Word of God, and in his example we have encouragement for a life of godliness in the midst of the present moral and spiritual decline. The Book of Esther. The title of this book is based on its main character, Queen Esther. It fits into the gap between Ezra 6 and 7, and records the events in Babylon prior to and immediately following Xerxes' (Ahasuerus's) attack on Greece. Though there is no mention of God in the book, he is nonetheless active. According to Drs. M'Clintock and Strong, ""The character of Esther, as she appears in the Bible, is that of a woman of deep piety, faith, courage, patriotism, and caution, combined with resolution; a dutiful daughter to her adopted father . . . and anxious to share the king's favor with him for the good of her people. She was a virtuous woman, and as far as her situation made it possible, a good wife to the king."" Dr. Cyril J. Barber is pastor emeritus of Plymouth Church, Whittier, California. He lives with his wife of fifty years in Hacienda Heights. Their family consists of two sons, two daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren.

With the publication of this volume Cyril Barber brings to a close thirty years of study and research on the books of Joshua through Esther. His treatment of each of these canonical writings is devotional and was written during his busy pastoral and teaching ministry. The Book of Ezra. Jewish tradition has made Ezra one of the most celebrated personages in all the history of his people. Five great works are attributed to him: (1) The founding of the ""Great Synagogue,"" or synod of learned Jewish scholars; (2) the settlement of the sacred ""canon,"" or recognized list of authoritative Hebrew Scriptures; (3) the establishment of the Hebrew Scriptures in square Assyrian characters; (4) the compilation of the Chronicles, along with the book that now bears his own name, and possibly Psalm 119; and (5) the institution of local synagogues. The Book of Ezra has been looked upon as Israel's ""second exodus,"" for under the leadership of Zerubbabel a large number of Jewish expatriates journeyed from Babylon to Jerusalem, and in spite of many difficulties rebuilt the Temple. Years passed before Ezra led a second group of exiles to Jerusalem. He based all he did on the Word of God, and in his example we have encouragement for a life of godliness in the midst of the present moral and spiritual decline. The Book of Esther. The title of this book is based on its main character, Queen Esther. It fits into the gap between Ezra 6 and 7, and records the events in Babylon prior to and immediately following Xerxes' (Ahasuerus's) attack on Greece. Though there is no mention of God in the book, he is nonetheless active. According to Drs. M'Clintock and Strong, ""The character of Esther, as she appears in the Bible, is that of a woman of deep piety, faith, courage, patriotism, and caution, combined with resolution; a dutiful daughter to her adopted father . . . and anxious to share the king's favor with him for the good of her people. She was a virtuous woman, and as far as her situation made it possible, a good wife to the king."" Dr. Cyril J. Barber is pastor emeritus of Plymouth Church, Whittier, California. He lives with his wife of fifty years in Hacienda Heights. Their family consists of two sons, two daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren.

In a recent essay ""The Unmarked Way"" Harvard scholar Oscar Handlin wrote: ""At some point, midway into the 20th century, Europeans and Americans discovered that they had lost all sense of direction. Formerly familiar markers along the way had guided their personal and social lives from birth to maturity to death. Now, disoriented, they no longer trust the guideposts and grope in bewilderment toward an unimagined destination...."" Dr. Handlin's observation confirms the fact that history has repeated itself. One of the guideposts that could lead us through the maze of confusing theories is the Book of Kings. Without the light of history shining over our shoulders we lose our sense of direction. The admonition of the prophet Jeremiah points us back to the lighted path: He counseled the people of his day to ""Ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."" Now, more so than ever before, we need the teaching of 1 and 2 Kings, and that after all is the purpose of these studies. Read them and see.

In a recent essay ""The Unmarked Way"" Harvard scholar Oscar Handlin wrote: ""At some point, midway into the 20th century, Europeans and Americans discovered that they had lost all sense of direction. Formerly familiar markers along the way had guided their personal and social lives from birth to maturity to death. Now, disoriented, they no longer trust the guideposts and grope in bewilderment toward an unimagined destination...."" Dr. Handlin's observation confirms the fact that history has repeated itself. One of the guideposts that could lead us through the maze of confusing theories is the Book of Kings. Without the light of history shining over our shoulders we lose our sense of direction. The admonition of the prophet Jeremiah points us back to the lighted path: He counseled the people of his day to ""Ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."" Now, more so than ever before, we need the teaching of 1 and 2 Kings, and that after all is the purpose of these studies. Read them and see.