Weepiing and Shouting

O. T. #1014  "Weeping and Shouting"
June 29, 2017
Ezra 3-Part 3
With praise and thanks they sang this song to the LORD: "He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!"  Ezra 3:11 NLT

LET IT GLOW

Beginning the second year of the Jews at the old Jerusalem site began with the laying of the new Temple foundation. The Levites ages 20 and up did the work. The Levites were given the responsibility of oversee this task. Can you hear the enthusiasm? There were trumpets playing and the singing of Psalms. The enthused people could not contain their loud shouts of excitement.

Look at our key verse, friend. Insert your name in the place of Israel. Make God's Word personal to us.
God is good! His faithful love for Linda endures forever!

Oh how He loves us! Forever is a very long time. Now that is something to shout about, I'd say.


LET IT GROW

God was doing  the impossible in this situation, as Jeremiah foretold of this in chapter 33.

But many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders who had seen the first Temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple's foundation. The others, however, were shouting for joy. The joyful shouting and weeping mingled together in a loud nose that could be heard in the distance.  (verses 11-13 NLT)

I cannot imagine what it would have been like those 70 years of having no place of worship.
What mixed emotions there were at this time. The older folks sadly remembered David and Solomon's splendid Temple, which stood over 350 years. The younger folks did not have those memories so they were joyful.

It was like that for our church people whenever we left the old sanctuary and began to worship God in the new sanctuary. (A few never did cross over for the change was too much for them.) Baptisms, weddings, revivals, former pastors, youth groups-all were connected with the old building. However, the younger generation did not have those ties. They were excited to be in the new sanctuary which the Lord had provided. Now we use the old sanctuary as the fellow hall.


LET IT GO

Thank God for His love for me that lasts forever!

Rejoice in all that God has done.

What is First?

O. T. #1013  "What is First?"
June 28, 2017
Ezra 3-Part2
Seek the LORD and His strength, see His face continually.  1 Chronicles 16:11

LET IT GLOW

I don't want to shamefully stand before my God, having no fruit/jewels to present Him. I want to be a "well done faithful servant" for Him. Although many things knock me down spiritually, He lifts me up and walks with me along this rough road I call faith. How can I not praise my Savior Jesus and seek Him first each morning, for He has given me life and breath. What is first in your life, friend?

They are back! Israel, which was made up of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, arrived back at the previous Temple site in Jerusalem. For these faithful returnees, this was a moment their hearts longed for-worshiping God in freedom. The Spirit of God bound them together as they determined to restore worship Him, rebuild God's Temple, and rebuild their nation.

What happened?

• They rebuilt the altar of God first.
• Those involved were High Priest Jeshua and Governor Zerubbabel and their brethren.
• The altar was the center of the Jewish worship, for without their sacrifices they could not approach God or expect His blessings. (Wiersbe)
• The gifts from the king, their brethren back in Babylon, and their gifts were enough for the task.
• The altar was rebuilt on the same site of the previous one Solomon had placed it. Although this Temple would not be as splendorous as Solomon's, it was built according to God's Word and Law as in Exodus.
• It was rebuilt despite the fear of the local residents who were unbelievers.
• Upon it the daily burnt sacrifices were offered to God.

We know there was joyful shouting and weeping, according to verse 13.
Can we see the importance of obeying God from the heart and not out of habit? Staying close to Him should be our top priority, as the Israelites did.


LET IT GROW

The festivals are described in Leviticus 23. The sacrifices were originally set up under the Law of Moses in Leviticus 1 and 6. The Hebrew calendar was based on lunar months. so at the beginning of every month and at the time of the new moon, they had special observances.
Do we regularly gather with believers in Jesus to worship?

Why was the Temple built before the wall? It was used for spiritual purposes, while the wall around Jerusalem was for military and political purposes. The Jews realized that God had always been their protector, so without Him, the strongest stone would not protect them. He was their national defense.
Is Jesus the cornerstone on which our life is built?

The people hired masons and carpenters for the foundation. They bought cedar logs, paying for them with food, wine, and olive oil. King Cyrus had given permission for the logs' transportation. (verse 7)

So far we have read of the proclamation, precious gifts, faithful people, and the establishing of the new altar. Next we will see the foundation of the Temple laid. God was doing the impossible.

I can remember the excitement whenever the foundation of our new sanctuary was laid. Although it was  years before we entered for the first worship service, the excitement continued. He is the God of our cities and our nation. There is no one like our God, as the song says. We can see His wonderful works surrounding us. Truly there is no one like our God!
Are we expecting greater things to be done by Him in our life, our family, our church, our nation?

LET IT GO

Worshiping God must be first in my life.

Love Him with all my heart, soul, and mind.

Obey His leading.

Remain faithful in kingdom work.

Ovecoming Hardships

O. T. #1012  "Overcoming Hardships"
June 27, 2017
Ezra  3
This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:"Not by strength or by might, but by My Spirit," says the LORD of Host.  Zechariah 4:6

LET IT GLOW

Come to think of it, we don't read about the hardships and difficulties the Jews encountered while making the 900 mile journey to their homeland. Were there enemies and wild animals and hot weather to encounter? It took about 4 months for them to make it, but make it the did. Anyone going through any hardships in their current situation? Sometimes the worst of all is discouragement, so we need to stay in God's Word.
It was God's Spirit that took those Jews out of captivity into freedom. since we worship the same God, can He do the same for us?

Who was this Zerubbabel that lead the first group of Jews back to their homeland?

• His Hebrew name was Shashbazar.
• King Cyrus appointed him as the governor of the Jewish settlement in Palestine.
• He was a descendant of David according to Matthew 1:12.
• Zerubbabel was an ancestor of Christ.
• His name means "Born in Babylon."
• Zechariah had a vision about him in chapter 42 .
• Haggai prophesied to him chapters 1 and 2 of his book.
• He completed there building of God's Temple.
• He showed wisdom as he accepted and refused help.
• Zerubbabel started his building project with worship as the focal point.

Are we willing to give up all in order to be a leader in God's kingdom work?

LET IT GROW

The journey for the returning Jews took them about 4 months to travel 900 miles. There were 42,60 returning. They pressed on through the hardships and overcame difficulties. There were among that group some people who could not prove their Jewish origin. Although they were allowed to return to Jerusalem, they were never granted the right of citizenship. They are not listed in chapter 10.

The returnees were bound together by the Spirit of God for three great purposes:

1. to restore worship of the LORD;
2. to rebuild His Temple;
3. to rebuild their nation.  (The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible)

Can you imagine the excitement and humility of this faithful group of Jews walked by faith with a purpose? Did they discuss the preparations for the Temple, their feasts to celebrate, homes, city, the clearing and cultivating for crops, and the water supply?

LET IT GO

Trust in Jesus though the hard times.

Keep praying for our nation, our Christian brothers and sisters, and our church.

A Step of Faith

O. T. #1011  "A Step of Faith"
June 26,2017
Ezra 1 and 2


LET IT GLOW

Judah had been captives in Babylon for 70 years. Now in the historical story three groups of Jews return to their homeland, the Promised Land of Israel and Jerusalem. It was after Persia took over the Babylonian Empire and during King Cyrus's first year reign that the LORD stirred up his spirit to declare a proclamation allowing their return. Zerubbabel lead the first group of Jews.

Liberty Bible Commentary has these comments:

Only those whom God had touched responded and answered the call. Returning to Palestine was a step of faith. The land was desolate and occupied with heathen nations. Those who returned would leave the security of Babylon. They were launching out into the unknown, but they went with a vision, to build the house of the LORD. People with a vision can always accomplish the impossible. They can overcome dangers, hostility, and opposition and emerge victorious.

Cyrus did not command the Jews to go up, but granted them permission to go to Jerusalem.
Was it difficult for them to leave the comforts of an affluent society?

McGee says the group that returned was of the poorer class. They were the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, priests, and the Levites. They were humble folk.

These prophecies were fulfilled here: Isaiah 44:28; Jeremiah 25:12; 29:10; Daniel 5:17-30.


I experienced an example of stepping out in faith last week. Six groups of people formed teams out visiting the community, highways, byways, and hedges, including dusty dirt roads, and invited children and youth to come to a Sports Camp on Thursday and Friday nights. Also, we had a Community Block party at the city park.  The Lord blessed our efforts with 2 salvations, and over 60 folks attending. The gospel was presented many times during the fun activities. (A sister church lead the activities.) Although it was exhausting, what a shower of blessings! God rewarded our steps of faith.

Is God calling us to take a step of faith?

LET IT GROW

The preparations for returning were made:

• Neighbors assisted by giving them articles of gold and silver, supplies for the journey, livestock.
• King Cyrus brought articles Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Temple in Jerusalem, mentioned in verses 9 and 10.
• There were 5,400 articles of gold and silver.
• The number of returnees was 42,360 Jews with 7,337 servants, and 200 singers.
• Some family leaders made voluntary offerings toward the rebuilding of God's Temple.
• They gave gifts of 61,00 gold coins, 6,250 pounds of silver, and 100 robes for the priests.
• Cyrus gave those protection and money for the rebuilding and returning journey.

When we are asked to serve, we should do so faithfully as a team member, no matter who gets the credit. Of course, all we do should be done for the glory of God.

In the New Testament is the story of Peter who stepped out of the boat by faith and walked on water toward Jesus. Do we have that much faith in Jesus?


LET IT GO

Trust Jesus as I obey His leading.

Give to Kingdom work.

A Good Word

O. T. #1,010 "A Good Word"
June 23, 2017
Ezra 1
For thus saith the LORD: That after seventy years  be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform My good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.  Jeremiah 29:10

LET IT GLOW

Do you feel outnumbered, overpowered, outclassed? Anyone need a good word today? For sure! The Jews received it after being in captivity for 70 years, so why can't we?

Judah, after 70 years living in another country of Babylon as slaves, gets released. Here is a future and a hope for the Jews, which is given by their God: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.


Aren't we encouraged by a leader who stirs us to move ahead; one who believes we can do the task he has given; one who will be with us through it all and all the way? God is that kind of leader. After all, He knows the future, has good plans for us, and gives us a hope. When He provides the agenda, is with us to fulfill the mission, then we can have boundless hope. God will see us through to a glorious conclusion, in spite of pain, sufferings, or hardships we encounter.

Cyrus made a decree proclaiming that the nation of Judah could return to their land. The will of the Lord was fulfilled in that act. Cyrus is a type of Christ.
In John 14, Jesus tells us that He has gone to prepare a place for us; He will come again; He will receive us unto Himself, that where He is we may be also. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the heavenly Father except by Him.

Are you prepared for an expected end-death? Our end can be only the beginning of life eternal with Jesus, if we have made the preparation. Are others prepared for that day?

LET IT GROW

Here are some questions about this passage:

• Who charged (commanded) Cyrus to build a house, a Temple at Jerusalem? God did it.
• Who may go and complete this task? Those who were God's people.
• Who should be allowed to support them? Their neighbors contributed toward their expenses with gold and silver, supplies for the journey, and livestock, as well as a voluntary offering for the Temple of God in Jerusalem. (verse 2)
• Whose hearts did God stir up for the task? Priests and Levites and leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin were stirred to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the LORD. (verse 3)

Did we notice that King Cyrus did not command the Jews to go to Jerusalem, but he granted them permission to go up? He gave them protection, money, and the temple articles taken by Nebuchadnezzar.

Life Application Study Bible reminds us: "When you face difficult situations and feel surrounded, outnumbered, overpowered, or outclassed, remember that God's power is not limited to your resources. He is able to use anyone to carry out His plans."

When it is for His glory, it will be accomplished. David confronted a giant with only a stone and a sling. Daniel faced a den of lions. Three Hebrews were thrown into a fire. All were successful. Do we serve the same God?

LET IT GO

Say yes when God stirs my heart to do a task for Him.

Support others in their tasks.

God is the One who outnumbers, overpowers, and outclasses.

New Beginnings

O. T. #1009  "New Beginnings"
June 22, 2017
Introduction to Ezra
Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth: and He hath charged me to build a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Ezra 1:2

LET IT GLOW

How about a new beginning? The excitement of it all. It may come in the form of another birthday, another anniversary, a move into a new house or community, the joining of a new church, starting a new job or new project. Yes, we seem to thrive on the new beginnings. We find it here in the very beginning of this book.

Here is some background of Ezra the man and the book:

• Ezra was the author of this book, a scribe-priest, whose name means "Jehovah helps." He was a descendent of Aaron, the high priest.
• This book was written in Aramaic.
• After he arrived in Jerusalem, Ezra changed from writing in the third person (chapters 1-6) to the first person (chapters 7-10).
• He shows how God fulfilled His promise by returning His people to the land of Judah after 70 years of captivity by Babylon. We read the promise in the last two verses of 2 Chronicles.
• Cyrus, the king of Persia, overthrew Babylon in 539 B.C., and Ezra wrote this book concerning the first year of his reign.
• Daniel held a high position in Darius the Mede, who was the father-in-law of Cyrus, so Cyrus was familiar to the teachings of Jehovah.
• There were 3 deportations of Judah into Babylon, likewise, there were 3 returns to Jerusalem.
• The first return was lead by Zerubbabel in 538 B.C. with 50,000 Jews to rebuild the Temple; the second was lead by Ezra in 458 B.C. with 2,000 Jews some 80 years later to reform the spiritual and religious restoration; the third was lead by Nehemiah some 13 years later in 445 B.C. to rebuild the city walls and gates, but not the houses.
• Since Ezra was a scribe, he had access to the collection of Persian administrative documents-decrees, proclamations, letters, lists, genealogies, and memorandas.

Isn't it something to read how God used even the pagan kings to fulfill His purposes. I find it exciting every time I read of this new beginning for the Jews. Come to think of it, 70 years in captivity would have been a generation. To the younger Jews, slavery would have been a way of life. Isn't this similar to the Jews leaving Egypt after being slaves some 400 years?

LET IT GROW

What are the main themes or primary message of this book from various references?

• God orchestrated the past grim situation (captivity) and would continue to work through a pagan king and his successors to give Judah hope for the future (return). God's administration overrides that of any of the kings of this world and, thus, the Book of Ezra is a message of God's continuing covenant grace to Israel. (MacArthur)
• It shows God's faithfulness and the way He kept His promise to restore His people to their land.(Life Application Study Bible)
• The Word of the Lord is the theme of the Book of Ezra according to J. Vernon McGee. There are 10 direct references to God's Word in this little book. It is seen in the lives of these people: religious, business, and political.
• God kept a "lamp lit" at Jerusalem in order that His Son might be born through the Hebrew nation and come to save the world. (Wiersbe)

Did you notice the Spirit of the LORD stirred in Cyrus' heart in verse 1? Even 100-200 years before he reigned, Cyrus was mentioned in Isaiah 44:28.
The God who created the world and who is sovereign over history itself can predict the future. Their deliverance was from the LORD, not from Cyrus, a mere interment in the hand of God. (Falwell)

Forever He is glorified and lifted high; forever He is risen and alive, as the song goes. What an awesome God we serve! He kept a remnant for Jesus to be born a Jew, His beloved. He keeps His promises today, sweet one. Let us trust Him in our life.

LET IT GO

Let each day be a new beginning as I serve God.

Endure through those hard times as the Jews did through their captivity.

Trust the Word of God to be truth; He is faithful to His children, loving us in and  through the hard times.

The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful

O. T. #1008  "The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful"
June 21, 2017
Summary of 2 Chronicles
If My people, which are called by name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  2 Chronicles 7:14

LET IT GLOW

People are so different. While a family may have some who are a good influence, some who are a bad influence, there usually are a few who are beautiful. By that I mean those beautiful folks rise up above their rough circumstances and hard times, showing faith in God as they serve Him and others. Those are the Christians that shine through with the ray of hope-God is faithfully with them, in control, and is victorious. Judah seemed to have had some of each kind.

I always like to review what was covered in the book that we finished studying. It seems to put things in perspective, especially since we have covered so much of Judah's history. The Priest Ezra was the author. He lead the second group of Jews out of Babylon and back to Jerusalem to help rebuild their city, its walls, and the Temple. He wrote this book so this new generation would in fact know their history, both good and bad.

King David's son Solomon became king after his father's death. David had prepared the materials and the intricate plans for the Temple. Then Solomon implemented those plans. He built a magnificent Temple for the worship of Israel's God, including the sacrificial system. (Israel had not split then.)
It took him 7 years to build the Temple  and 13 years to build the palace. So Israel was in a 20 year building program.

Solomon wrote 2 Psalms, 72 and 127. In Psalm 27:17, Solomon refers to Jesus: His name shall endure forever: His name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in Him: all nations shall call Him blessed.

Jesus is our Beautiful One. He shines as the Savior who endured so much so we could have the free gift of salvation and grace. He is always with us, always loves us, and is always going to be, as the song goes.

Solomon's dedicatory prayer was sincere and lengthy as we read in chapter 6. After all the splendor of the day, God spoke to Solomon informing him that God had chosen that Temple and Jerusalem for His dwelling place. Then He added some conditions to be met when Israel strayed away, found in our key verse. Solomon had 49 years of peace and prosperity during his reign. His purpose of centralizing and unifying Israel in the worship of God was accomplished. Wealth, fame, and political power were the greatest during this time.
However this did not last, sadly to say.

LET IT GROW

It was happened-the downward spiral. It was  during the reign of David's grandson and Solomon's son Rehoboam that Israel split into two kingdoms-the northern kingdom known as Israel, whose history is recorded in the first part of 2 Kings. They were taken captive by Babylon 135 years before Judah was.

Judah's problem (sin) was their worship of idols instead of worshiping God. Out of the 20 kings they had, there were only about 5 who were considered good kings, the ones who brought back revival into the land. this list included: Asa (chapters 14-16), Jehoshaphat (chapters 17-20), Uzziah (chapter22) , Josiah (chapters 22-24) Hezekiah (chapters 29-33).

On the other hand, Manasseh was the most wicked and longest reigning king over Judah (chapters 33-36). He had been born during the 15 extended year of life of his father Hezekiah.

So we do not end on a sour note, remember the ray of hope Judah had as Cyrus, king of Persia, who had conquered Babylon, released the Jews to rebuild Jerusalem, its wall, and Temple.

You know, as I consider all of this, we are not any different from Judah. We get into the same cycle of worshiping God with complete commitment, then fall into sin and stray away, finally we return back to God, usually after His discipline us. do I hear an amen?

Thank God for His mercy and grace! All we need to do is humble our self, pray, seek God's face, and turn from our wicked ways, then God promises to hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land.

I am looking forward to studying the book of Ezra next. Restoration is coming, so don't miss out, dear ones. There was a remnant who stayed faithful to God during those 70 years of captivity and they are rising up. 

LET IT GO

Stay faithful to God.

Love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Bless the name of Jesus.