Sunday, September 28, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Ezra 3
After all the preparation and travel, the people finally arrived at Jerusalem. Very soon after they arrived, they began to offer sacrifices as God had commanded them. They certainly had the right priorities. They put worship first in their lives. It seems that they began this even before they had built their own houses and settled in, and God blessed them for keeping Him first. A while later, they began building the temple. The people offered freely of what they had for the building materials of the temple. When the foundation of the temple was laid, there was a great celebration.
We should learn from these people. They gave God first place in their lives. In our busy lives, it is easy to let other things take first place: work, family, leisure. But, God always deserves first place. It is a challenge for me to remember that. Lord, help me to always keep You first in my life no matter what.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Ezra 2
Most of this chapter gives the numbers of people that returned from Babylon to Jerusalem. While we don't find much inspiration in all those names and numbers, I do think that it is amazing that so many people returned from a country where they were prosperous and well settled to a city that was broken down and destroyed. It was surrounded by enemies and the wall was gone. There was little in the way of industry and it could have seemed that there was no future in Jerusalem. But, many responded to the call to rebuild Jerusalem. Also, I was amazed by wealth of these people. They had many, many animals and much other wealth. Even in this land of captivity, God had been blessing them. God is such a merciful God! He had banished them to another country for their sins. Yet, He continued to bless them in this strange country. Another thing: these people gave very willingly of what they had. The temple needed to be built and these people gave liberally of their wealth so that the temple could be rebuilt. We too should be liberal with the things that God has blessed us with and God will in turn reward us for our generosity.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Ezra 1
In the next several days, we'll be studying the book of Ezra chapter by chapter. This book begins by telling us the story of how Cyrus initiated the return of the Jews to their home country. They were living in captivity in Babylon and had been so for 70 years. Then in fulfillment of a prophecy that had been made 150 years before, Cyrus allowed them to return and rebuild the temple and the city of Jerusalem. The prophecy had even mentioned Cyrus by name. What an amazing God we serve!
Even today, he is still looking out for His children. He never forsakes us. He never forgets us. To the Jews who lived in Babylon for 70 years, it may have seemed that God had forgotten them. They were living in a heathen country. They were dispersed throughout the world. They had no temple where they could worship. Yet, behind the scenes God was working. He allowed Babylon to fall to the Medes and the Persians. He set up Cyrus as the ruler. He put it in the heart of Cyrus to allow the Jews to return to Canaan. We can be assured that God is looking out for us today as well. So, when you're discouraged, look to Him and He will help you.