October 14, 2024
Ezra 5:1–2 Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. 2 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.
Every time the kingdom of God moves forward, it does so with the power of the Word of God encouraging His people. Ezra 5 is no exception. After years of inactivity, God spoke through the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, urging his people to renew their efforts at rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. Ezra 4 had recounted the opposition efforts, leading to a decree of Artaxerxes that stopped the work. But now, at the word of the prophets, the work began anew. And, if we read Haggai 1, we learn that it was not merely Israel's obedience to the king's decree that kept them from the work, for they had also become complacent:
Haggai 1:3–4 Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?
Ezra 5:1-2 tells us that this Word awakened the people of God (beginning with their leaders) out of their inaction. Notice two key things in Ezra 5: First, the name of the God of Israel was "over them" (v.1). Secondly, as they returned to the work, "the prophets of God were with them, supporting them" (v.2).
What emboldens God's people to engage in His kingdom work? It is the knowledge of God's presence, and the power of His Word. It is no different for us. Jesus promised never to leave or forsake us (Heb. 13:5), and to build His church (Matt. 16:18). What is your kingdom work today? Is there a temptation to be lax in that work? Today, let us take up the power of God's promises, trust him for the results, and engage faithfully in our calling.
Father, thank you that each of us has a part to play in your kingdom. Let us take up that calling, and be salt and light in a dark world. We ask in Jesus' name, amen.
You can read Ezra 5 here.
October 15, 2024
A magistrate's responsibility is to ensure the peace and safety of the land under his jurisdiction. If there is unrest or sedition, it is his role to intervene if necessary. This is what we see in Ezra 5 when the local Persian governor who oversaw the region of Judea heard that the returned exiles had started to rebuild the temple. He was curious and suspicious. Were they building a place of worship, or a fortress? The language seems unclear:
Ezra 5:3–5 At the same time Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and their associates came to them and spoke to them thus: “Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?” 4 They also asked them this: “What are the names of the men who are building this building?”
Tattenai wrote a letter to King Darius with his concerns. His letter was much less accusatory than the previous letter we read in Ezra 4. He outlined his investigation, noting that this building was being fortified with "huge stones and timber..." (Ezra 5:8). Tattenai even included the response of the Jews, including the decree of Cyrus that granted them permission to build. Yet here we see the Israelites responding to the Lord's prophets with obedience, only to encounter new opposition. But over it all, God was at work, protecting His people:
"But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until the report should reach Darius and then an answer be returned by letter concerning it" (Ezra 5:5).
Sometimes when we try to do what is right, we still encounter struggle or suffering. Obedience to the Lord does not guarantee our safety. Sometimes it puts us in the crosshairs of those who do not love Jesus. But take heart today in your own struggle. The eye of our God is upon us. He knows our needs today, and will not leave us alone, even in suffering.
Father, we ask today for the strength to follow your commands, and the grace to stand, even if we suffer for doing what is right. Thank you that your eye is upon us today. We thank you in Jesus' name, amen.
You can read Ezra 5 here.
October 16, 2024
Hands off! I'm sure you've said that phrase before. My kids say that to me when I see their chocolate in the kitchen, and think it surely would be ok to have just a bite. "Hands off" was essentially King Darius' words to Tattenai, his regional governor over Jerusalem. Tattenai sent a letter of inquiry to King Darius, concerned that these Israelites were rebuilding the temple without royal permission. After an investigation into the historical documents of the empire, Cyrus' original decree from 536 B.C. was found, allowing God's people to return and rebuild their home and the temple. Now in 520, King Darius reaffirmed that decree with eagerness. Ezra 6 details his overwhelming support for the work with a return letter to his governor. And his first words to Tattenai were essentially this: "Hands off!"
Ezra 6:6–7 6 “Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and your associates the governors who are in the province Beyond the River, keep away (Emphasis added). 7 Let the work on this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site.
What amazing protection and provision from the Lord is shown to us here. God moved the heart of this earthly king to restrain opposition to the work. But he goes even further. Cyrus' original edict was that the cost for rebuilding be paid from the royal treasury. But Darius commanded that "The cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province from Beyond the River (v.8). Tattenai's royal tributes that would have gone to king Darius were to be given to the Israelites to fund the work! Not only was Tattenai to leave them alone, but he would fund the project, and anyone who opposed the work further would be put to death (v.11-12).
It is not often that God's people have such overwhelming support from the world. But God intended to rebuild that place for worship, and nothing would thwart his plan. God's plan to save us through His Son could not be undone either. Even the evil of Judas and the tyranny of Rome would be pressed into the service of our salvation. Praise God that his plans will always come to pass.
Lord, we trust today in your perfect ways. Help us to walk in obedience and confidence today, in Jesus' name, amen.
You can read Ezra 6 here.
October 17, 2024
The Westminster Confession of faith speaks of providence in this way:
Although, in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to pass immutably, and infallibly; yet, by the same providence, He ordereth them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently. (WCF 5.2)
Every event takes place by the unchangeable decree of God, the "first Cause." But he also chooses to use "second causes" as part of that plan. In other words, if I have an infection and take medication prescribed by a doctor, I still say that God healed me. But I would also say that the medication healed me. God used a knowledgeable doctor and the medications as secondary causes.
Ezra described the completion of the temple in that way as well:
Ezra 6:14–15 And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia; 15 and this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
Notice the confluence of primary and secondary causes here. The elders built through the prophesying of the prophets. The prophets encouraged their work along the way. But this is especially seen in verse 15: "They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia." The author here tells us that the work was finished by God's decree. It was his work, from beginning to end. But he did it through the decrees of the kings. He did it through the work of the elders, and through the work of the prophets.
Every moment this is how God works, and he wants to open our eyes to see it. When we finish a project, we ought to say "God did it! He gave me the strength to complete this." When my day does not go as I planned, I ought to say "God wanted something different for me today. It seemed like an interruption to me, but it was God at work." Every day God is working out his decree in our lives, and he uses all sorts of secondary causes to accomplish his will. Today let's open our eyes to see him at work.
Father, thank you that your will is being accomplished today, and you are moving all things and people to do so. Help us to see with the eyes of faith, and give you glory for your perfect plan. In Jesus' name, amen.
You can read Ezra 6 here.
October 18, 2024
Ezra 6:19–22 (ESV)19 On the fourteenth day of the first month, the returned exiles kept the Passover. 20 For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were clean. So they slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves. 21 It was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and also by every one who had joined them and separated himself from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to worship the Lord, the God of Israel. 22 And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
Imagine for a moment what it might be like to spend years, maybe decades unable (not allowed!) to celebrate something dear to you, like Christmas. Then, in God's providence you are free to celebrate and praise God for the birth of his son. What a joyful celebration that would be! I wonder if this might have been the experience of the returned exiles. After decades in a foreign land, away from their home and the temple, they finally stood in the house of the Lord. They had just had a joyous dedication ceremony (6:16-18). At last they lifted their hearts to celebrate the feast of Passover. They had been ritually cleansed; "all of them were clean" (v.19), and they drew near to worship. We are told what it was like for them: "And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful" (v.22). This feast caused them to look back to their history, to remember when God rescued their people from slavery in Egypt. But for the returned exiles, it certainly took on even more significance. Once again they had been rescued from a foreign land, and allowed to return home.
Every time we worship, and when we celebrate the Lord's Supper, we too ought to look back to our redemption. Jesus paid for our freedom from sin with his own blood. As we eat and drink, we too can partake with joy, because we are made clean through Jesus' sacrifice. Let's ask that our celebrations in worship might have such joy as well:
Father, we praise you for our rescue from sin and death. Thank you that we too can worship with joy. We look forward to the feast of the Lord's Supper where we remember our redemption through Christ. Increase our joy, we ask in Jesus' name, amen.
You can read Ezra 6 here.