April 22 - Ezra 1-3
The time for the exile is now over, so God paves the way for the Israelites to return to the Promised Land. The way He does this is by moving the spirit of a pagan king, Cyrus. This shows us that God can move an unbeliever in his or her spirit, and it shows that God can even use an unbeliever to accomplish His will. Not only did God move Cyrus, He moved over 42,360 people to want to return to Jerusalem. This would be a hard life until all was rebuilt, but they were willing to go and to do God's will. God is always working in the hearts of those around us. We must all obey Him when He moves us. Then, His wonderful will can be done in His way.
In fact, as I read all of these names, it makes me think about how awesome God is to be able to work in the lives of everyone at the same time and to bring unity. It says several times that the people were as "one man." It is so hard to get people to agree. The only way for real unity is for all of us to follow the Lord. Then, there is complete unity of purpose and attitude. It is wonderful to see a church or any other group of people who are in one accord, because God has led them, and they are listening.
When the worship was restored in Jerusalem. They built an altar, but there was no Temple. They even built that altar in fear of the surrounding peoples, because they had no walls and no way of defending themselves. They were simply focused on the Lord and on doing His will after the long exile in Babylon. They knew the main thing was to worship Him from their hearts, not the building. Their forefathers had built many altars out in the open to worship God. Now, they had come to place God had told them to worship Him, and they had built an altar. They were being obedient and hoping for God's protection and blessing. They were doing the right thing. We must begin and end what we do by seeking God.
When they did finish the foundation for the Temple, there were joyful shouts and weeping. The ones who were weeping were remembering the glory of the former Temple, and it made them sad to see that this building would not be as glorious in appearance. However, it was the ones who were rejoicing who were had the right idea. God could bless this temple, and it could be as great as the last one, if the people would be faithful. It would take a lot of work, but it was a start. We must be faithful today and patient in our work today, too. It would be nice to have beautiful buildings from the beginning, but being faithful is the most important thing. The buildings will come in time, if we do God's will.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezra 4-6.
In fact, as I read all of these names, it makes me think about how awesome God is to be able to work in the lives of everyone at the same time and to bring unity. It says several times that the people were as "one man." It is so hard to get people to agree. The only way for real unity is for all of us to follow the Lord. Then, there is complete unity of purpose and attitude. It is wonderful to see a church or any other group of people who are in one accord, because God has led them, and they are listening.
When the worship was restored in Jerusalem. They built an altar, but there was no Temple. They even built that altar in fear of the surrounding peoples, because they had no walls and no way of defending themselves. They were simply focused on the Lord and on doing His will after the long exile in Babylon. They knew the main thing was to worship Him from their hearts, not the building. Their forefathers had built many altars out in the open to worship God. Now, they had come to place God had told them to worship Him, and they had built an altar. They were being obedient and hoping for God's protection and blessing. They were doing the right thing. We must begin and end what we do by seeking God.
When they did finish the foundation for the Temple, there were joyful shouts and weeping. The ones who were weeping were remembering the glory of the former Temple, and it made them sad to see that this building would not be as glorious in appearance. However, it was the ones who were rejoicing who were had the right idea. God could bless this temple, and it could be as great as the last one, if the people would be faithful. It would take a lot of work, but it was a start. We must be faithful today and patient in our work today, too. It would be nice to have beautiful buildings from the beginning, but being faithful is the most important thing. The buildings will come in time, if we do God's will.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezra 4-6.