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| Song: ' Jesus Calls Us" sequenced and permission given |
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| EZRA AND THE TEMPLE The book of Ezra was written around 450BC...recording events from about 539 - 450 BC, (omitting 516 - 458 BC); possibly done earlier in Babylon and finished in Jerusalem. This book is the history of the Jewish people, recording their return to the land after captivity. Finally given the chance to return to their homeland, the people started to rebuild the Temple, only to be stopped by opposition from their enemies. God's work in the world is not without opposition. We as Christians should not get discouraged and quit, as the returning people did at first, but continue on boldly in the face of difficulities, as they did later with the encouragement from the prophets. Ezra returned to Jerusalem almost 80 years after Zerubbabel, only to discover that the people had married pagan or foreign spouses. This polluted the religious purity of the people and endangered the future of the nation. Believers today must be careful not to threaten their walk with God by taking on the practices of unbelievers. By returning to the land of Israel from Babylon, the Jews showed their faith in God's promise to restore them as a people. They returned not only to their homeland but also to the place where their forefathers had promised to follow God. In 536 BC, Zerubbabel led the people in rebuilding the altar and laying the Temple foundation. They reinstated daily sacrifices and annual festivals, and rededicated themselves to a new spiritual worship of God. In rededicating the altar, the people were recommitting themselves to God and His service. To grow spiritually, your commitment must be reviewed and renewed often. As we rededicate ourselves to God, our lives become altars to Him. Opposition came soon after the altar was built and the Temple foundation laid. Enemies of the Jews used deceit to hinder the building for over six years. Finally, there was a decree to stop the building altogether. This opposition severly tested their wavering faith. When the people returned to the land, they were also returning to the influence of God's Word. The prophet Haggai and Zechariah helped encourage them, while Ezra's preaching of Scripture built them up. God's Word gave them what they needed to do God's work. Not unlike Christians today, we also need encouragement and direction of God's Word. We must make it the basis for our faith and actions to finish God's work and fulfill our obligations. We must never waver in our commitment to hear and obey His Word. The urging of Israel's leaders motivated the people to complete the Temple. Over the years they had intermarried with idol worshipers and adopted their pagan practices. Their faith, tested and revived, also led them to remove sins from their lives. EZRA is a rather short book of only ten chapters, which tell us mostly about the repentance, once again, by the Israelites, and the rebuilding of the temple. Ezra was committed to study and follow the teachings of God's word. When he returned to the land, he brought with him a second group of exiles, 80 years after Zerubbabel. Ezra found the Temple rebuilt, but the lives of the people in shambles. Intermarriage with foreigners opposed to God threatened the spiritual future of the nation. So Ezra prayed for guidance and then followed through with action. Christians today must also strive to keep their lives pure, refusing to let the sinful allurements of the world around them compromise their life-style. A great lesson that this book covers is, a person's willingness to know and practice God's Word will have a direct effect on how God uses them. The starting place for serving God is a personal commitment to serve Him today, even before knowing what that service will be. (For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgements. Ezra 7: 10) Ezra prayed an earnest prayer, the people confessed their sins to God. Then they asked for direction in restoring their relationship with God. *~*~*~*~* The Sacrifice The people of Israel once again disobeyed, God had again given them another stay. How many times have they been so unruly And why did God forgive them and treat them duly? What a wonderful God we serve as they did long ago He sacrificed again and again, His great love to show. The law had been laid down for the people to obey But they still chose to live and do their own way. Believers and non-believers joined in marriage, And again worshiped idols and dealt in disparage. Now it was their turn to give a sacrifice, By forfeiting their land, and could not buy at any price. And those who chose not to return to Jerusalem Were expelled from assembly in the Temple to worship Him. The Jews did consider this to be a horrible punishment, But to only one God would they serve, and to Him repent. No one is so far away, that they cannot be saved. Repentance is all that it requires, no matter if you stray God is willing and able to reach out and restore Just ask forgiveness and live for Him evermore. Written by Shirley Barr March 22, 2005 Ref. used: Halley's Bible handbook 1962 |
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