Ezra 8:24-30 - Being God's faithful stewards

Faithful people are needed for the ministry, especially when finance is involved. And it is needful for leaders to be able to identify them. This was precisely what Ezra did. He had to ferry silver and gold utensils, and the offering which the king, his counselors, and the people had offered for the house of God to Jerusalem. So Ezra Ezra 8:24 said that he picked 12 priests and sent them on this  mission. Interestingly, the two words used here were “set apart.” This is significant. For this was a consecrated task and the people he sent to do it must also be consecrated people. 

Having carefully selected the 12 people led by Sherebiah and Hashabiah, Ezra sent them on this important mission with all funds for the temple. This was a consecrated service to the Lord, thus faithfulness and responsibility must be needed. They had to be accountable for what was entrusted to them. So in verses 28-29, Ezra commanded them saying, “You are holy to the Lord, and the utensils are holy; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering to the Lord God of your fathers. Watch and keep them until you weigh them before the leading priests, the Levites, and the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the Lord.” Entrusted with the responsible task, the twelve priests received what was delivered to them to bring to Jerusalem.

Integrity is a prized commodity in life especially when we have to do with finance. Temptation abounds when dealing with finance. We have all heard of how people had fallen prey to temptation because they had to handle finance. It is therefore needful that faithful men be used for such an important task. If we are to be trusted with it, let us be found faithful. Two things can help us to ensure integrity. Know that we are doing it for God and that we will finally have to give an account to Him for all that had been entrusted to us. It is required that all stewards be found faithful. Hence let us be found faithful, not just in dealing with finance but also in everything that we are assigned to do for the Lord!  

Ezra 8:21-23 – Why should we fast and pray?

At this point, Ezra was traveling with little ones and a vast sum of possession. These plus that fact the way was paved with dangers, he sensed the urgent need for God’s protection. He did not want to rely on the king for protection, because he had told the latter God would protect them. He confidently told the king, "The hand of our God is favorably disposed to all those who seek Him, but His power and His anger are against all those who forsake Him.” So he did not want to be seen as if he was going back on his word.

So instead of fretting, Ezra proclaimed a fast at the River Ahava. His purpose was to set aside the time to seek God. Although he knew God would help them in their journey, he did not want to be presumptuous.  It is always better to be safe than sorry. So the fast was set to seek God’s protection. And the comforting words are found in the last part of Ezra 8:23 “…and He(God) listened to our entreaty.” Ezra could attest to this because he had already safely arrived at Jerusalem when he wrote this. And God had indeed answered their prayers.

From these verses, we pick up some lessons on prayer and fasting. Fasting helps to enhance prayer. Prayer and fasting are basically entrusting oneself to the safe hand of God. It is relying on Him and being confident in Him. In fasting we signal the urgency of the matters at hand and that we need the attention of God in that matter. According to Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:16-18, fasting is a spiritual discipline to be practiced periodically. Impressing others and showing how holy we are should never be the reason for fasting. We should fast because we know we are needy people and we need God's help. Be sure to make time to fast and pray.  

 

         

Ezra 8:15-20 – No one should be passive in advancing God's Kingdom

Ezra 8 begins by giving us a list of the Jews that returned with Ezra from Babylon to Jerusalem. So verses 1-14, give us the list of names totaling 1,496 males. In verse 15, Ezra said that he assembled them at  the river that ran to Ahava and there they camped for three days. He then observed among the people that came back with him and could not see any Levites. 

In the earlier group under Zerubbabel, 74 Levites returned to Jerusalem with him. But there was none that came back with Ezra. Why? It was suggested that the Levites were used to the good life and position in Babylon and did not want to move. And it could also well be that they were not sure if they could get the same level of support when they returned to their impoverished homeland.       

So, Ezra then sent a team of leading men to Iddo and his brothers who were temple servants at Casiphia. In verses 16-17, they were instructed to ask these temple servants to bring ministers to them for the house of God in Jerusalem. And because the good hand of God was on them, they found favor with Him. Verses 18-20 then give us a list of Levites that were given to him. One was a descendant from among the sons of Mahli, a descendant of Levi, Sherebiah by name. He, together with his sons and brothers 18 of them, came to  Ezra. In verses 19-20, they were also given some others  such as “Hashabiah and Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, with his brothers and their sons, 20 men.” Together with these, they were also given 220 temple servants, the Nethinim mentioned in Ezra 7:24.  

In our affluent condition, Christians can also become like the Levites who had become accustomed to an easy lifestyle. Like them, many too may no longer want to be too involved in the work that God is doing. There is a need for these to be reminded of their responsibility and obligation to the Kingdom of God.  A pertinent question to ask ourselves would be: Am I like one of them? We are called not just to be a part of the Kingdom of God, but are called to enlarge it. Let us arise and do the work of God and expand the Kingdom!    

 

 

 

 

Ezra 8:1-14 – Known to Him

Under Zerubbabel, 42,360 including women returned to Jerusalem to rebuild. Their mission was to rebuild the temple. We saw in the first six chapters how through a series of struggles the ruined temple was finally rebuilt completed and dedicated. They even celebrated the Passover and unleavened bread. From Ezra 8:1-14, we are given the names of the second group of returnees from Babylon to Jerusalem. Between the first two returns, approximately close to eight decades had elapsed. This time the leader of the group was Ezra during the reign of King Artaxerxes. Speaking in the first person, Ezra listed the number of males that accompanied him on his return to Jerusalem.  The figure total was 1,496 all males. If the women folks and children were added, the figure would probably be about 2,000 plus or minus.

Of the list of names, our lesson comes from one name, Hattush, found in verse 3. The text clearly said that he was from the line of David. First Chronicles 3:22 affirms that he was indeed one of the descendants of King David. Since he was from the Davidic line shouldn’t he be mentioned more prominently? Here he is only mentioned third on this list of names. Why was he not highlighted since he was a descendant of King David? Noble as Hattush could have been by association with David, he had gone down the pecking order.

God did not  take David completely out of his plan even though he had faltered. And even though he and his descendants had repeatedly disappointed Him, yet they were never erased from His plan. That’s because God had promised that there would be perpetuity in his line. This is the greatness of God’s grace and faithfulness. As little as Hattush was known, he was being mentioned because he was David’s descendant. We take heart because today our name is linked to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the greater David. In Him, we are in God’s plan. Oh, what marvelous grace that God should allow us to link our worthless name with His matchless one! Paul reminds us that God has raised and seated us with Christ in heavenly places.

Ezra 7:11-28 – Nothing can hinder us when we have God

In Ezra 7:21-24, Artaxerxes made available funds to Ezra. He gave order that whatever he might need his treasures in the region beyond the rivers were asked to comply. They were told to diligently follow the request of Ezra. Generously, the king allowed Ezra to draw from the treasury all that was needed for his mission. Artaxerxes did all this because he had a deep fear of God. He did not want to face the consequences of God’s wrath on his kingdom and his sons.  He also decreed that tax, tribute, or toll were to be imposed on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, Nethinim, or servants of this house of God. Who were the Nethinim? They were a group of people set apart to assist the Levites. In Ezra 8:20 was such a group.

In Ezra 7:25-26, Artaxerxes also granted Ezra the right to appoint judges to adjudicate and deal with the disputes of the people. He was also granted the right to teach and educate the people concerning the law of God. Judgment would be executed upon that person strictly if anyone would not observe the law of your God and the law of the king. He could even face the death sentence or be banished or have his property confiscated and imprisoned.

 

Ezra 7:27-28 records Ezra's thanksgiving to God. It was He who had worked in the hearts of the king and his counselors and granted him the concessions to establish the work in Jerusalem. Encouraged that God’s hand was upon him, Ezra gathered some leading men of Israel to go with him.

 

How God had worked in Ezra‘s circumstances tells us that when God chooses to work through us nothing can hinder us. When we are on God’s mission, He will make the provision. There will be no lack in His work. Psalm 127:1 assures us saying, “Unless the Lord builds the house,  they labor in  vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.” What we need to experience success in any work we sense God calls us to do, is to be assured that He will provide everything that we need to accomplish it. Nothing can hinder God’s work from progressing.   

 

 

Ezra 7:11-20 – Honor God, show personal integrity

King Artaxerxes showed great favor to Ezra. His mission to return to Jerusalem to study, practice, and teach the law was encouraged and sanctioned by the king. In Ezra 7-28, record the favor that was according to him through a letter or a memorandum of the king. In this reflection on verses 11-20, we see several things that were accorded to Ezra.  

Firstly, he granted permission to all people of Israel, the priests and Levites residing in his kingdom two are willing to o accompany Ezra to Jerusalem could go with him. Ezra not only had permission to return to Jerusalem but he was also charged  by the king and his seven counselors to “inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem according to the law of your God which he had in hand.”

Secondly, in verses 15-17 Ezra was authorized to use all the funds that were freely contributed. (1) He had the silver and gold, which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel. (2) He had at his disposal all the silver and gold in Babylon that were probably taken there by Nebuchadnezzar along with the captives. (3) He also had the freewill offering of the people and of the priests, who offered willingly.

Thirdly, Ezra was permitted to use the fund he brought back to diligently acquire bulls, rams, and lambs, with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them on the altar to God. And fourthly, he was granted permission to freely use the contribution in whatever areas needed in their worship of God.  Finally, verse 20 says that the king even put what was in the royal treasury at his disposal for the incidental expenses required for the temple.

The memorandum made it very clear all these contributions were for God and His house in Jerusalem.  We get a sense that Artaxerxes had reverence for God and deep respect for His law. Besides he was eager to ensure that God would be worshiped and duly honored.   The way the king trusted Ezra tells us that the latter must be a person of integrity. In one sense, Artaxerxes' motivation was due to his great respect for God and His temple. His opened heart to God enables his generosity to him.  Open hearts always lead to generosity toward God and His work. Ezra on his part had surely earned the king’s trust.  He had shown himself to be a person of integrity. What about us? Two lessons for us. Firstly, we must learn to be generous to God and to the missions that encourage genuine worship and devotion to God. Secondly, each of us must be a person of integrity to be entrusted with what’s needed to advance God’s work.   

Ezra 7:1-10 – Don’t just know the truth, practise it!

Between Ezra 1 and Ezra 7 much happened. Ezra 1 began with the reign of King Cyrus and his decree allowing the Jews, who were willing, to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple that was in ruin. So under Zerubbabel, a batch of Jews returned and started the rebuilding work. It was not smooth sailing for them. They had to face the opposition of the Samaritans who complained to the king that brought a halt to their building program. Then came two prophets, Haggai and Zachariah who under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit stirred the Jews to resume the rebuilding. By then, they also had a kinder king in Darius and a more sympathetic governor in Tattenai. The King and the governor under the influence of God, allowed the Jews to complete the temple, dedicated it, and even observed the Passover and celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

After much had transpired, Ezra 7 now opens with the reign of Artaxerxes of Persia before introducing Ezra. He would become the instrument that God would use to bring about a spiritual revival to reform His people. Between the first return of the Jews under Zerubbabel to rebuild the temple and the return of the second batch under Ezra, 57-58 years had elapsed. Verses 1-5 give the ancestry of Ezra. Clearly, he had descended from the priestly line of Aaron. However, Ezra was not just a priest, he was also a scribe skillful in the Law of the Lord God of Israel given under Moses.  Explicitly, the last part of verse 6 said that the hand of the Lord his God was upon Him.  From Babylon, this Ezra together with “Some of the sons of Israel and some of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers and the temple servants went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.”

Ezra 6:8 tells us that he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month in the seventh year of the reign of the king, meaning Artaxerxes. From calculation from what is said in verse 9, it took him and his team some four months to come to Jerusalem from Babylon. From Ezra 8:31 we surmise that his route to Jerusalem was not so straightforward. In that verse, he said, “we journeyed from the river Ahava on the twelfth of the first month to go to Jerusalem; and the hand of our God was over us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and the ambushes by the way.” The emphasis of both Ezra 6:6 and Ezra 8:31 was that they only arrived safely at Jerusalem because God’s hand was upon them.

The conjunction “for” at the beginning of Ezra 6:10 indicates for us his purpose and reason for taking this perilous trip to Jerusalem. His objective was to study the law of God than to practice it. His end goal was to teach the ordinances and statutes of God in Israel. Revival always starts with a passion for God and His Word.  That’s why Ezra set his heart to studying and searching the Word of God. it. He was very determined to do it.  It’s hard to accomplish what one sets out to do without determination.   

What is our passion in terms of seeking God and His truth? What’s our heart attitude whenever study the Word of God? Do we come with determination or a casual half-hearted devotion? We must come to the Word of God as Ezra did. We must set our hearts to the task. We must also be determined to live it. Then we must also desire to teach it. One effective way to teach the truth is to demonstrate them through living it out. Most people would rather see a sermon than hear one. So study the word, but more importantly, seek to practice what we have discovered from our study of the Word. This is where we will make an impact on the people for God!   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ezra 6:19-22 – Consecrated Living

The Jews who returned from exile had rebuilt the temple at Jerusalem. They would have wished that it was a straightforward and smooth project. But it was not. For they were besieged by many struggles. First, the opposition from the Samaritans that led to the cessation of work, then the personal lethargy, discouragement, and distraction. Thankfully, among them, God had given godly prophets and Darius who was kind toward them and showed them much favor. So through the coaxing of Haggai and Zachariah the project resumed, was completed, and was dedicated.

With all that done, Ezra 6:19-22 then describe the celebration of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. On the fourteenth day of the first month, they observed the Passover as stipulated. The priest and the Levites purified themselves before the slaughter of the Passover lamb. They did it on behalf of everyone including themselves.  Verse 21 reveals that not only did the Jews eat of the Passover but the proselytes who had turned to seek the God of Israel, and purified themselves were also allowed to join in the Passover.  

Then they also celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This was a weeklong feast stipulated in Exodus 12:14-28. In this feast, God specifically instructed that any yeast in their midst be removed. At the Passover, they were instructed to eat yeast-free bread because they had to leave Egypt in haste and there simply wasn’t enough time for any yeast to rise. But at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, all yeast was to be removed. Yeast was a symbol of the corrupting nature of sin. Sin has devastating consequences in our life. Its effect lingers longer than we want it to linger. God has all along wanted His people to live sinless lives. The Feast of the Unleavened Bread served to remind them that they must seek to live a sin-free life. Hence after observing the Passover, they followed up with the observation of the Feast of Unleavened Bread willingly and joyfully.

God was the engineer. He was the one who had given them a reason to rejoice. He had turned the heart of the foreign king to treat them favorably. The King of Assyria here of course was referring to King Darius, whose kingdom Persia had conquered Babylon which had defeated and dominated Assyria.    

The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened bread were celebrated together. This weeklong celebration paints us a picture of the process of salvation. God was showing us through all these that being saved is just the first step. There is also the need to live a progressive sanctified life. It is one thing to be saved but quite another to live a life that is increasingly free from the grasp of sin.  God wants us to seek to live a consecrated life.  

 

Ezra 6:13-18 – Faithfulness matters

Ezra 6:12-15 reveal that Tattenai, Shethar-bozanai, and their colleagues beyond the river obediently and diligently carried out the decree of King Darius. They willingly facilitated the project of the temple rebuilding and allowed the Jews to complete it. Together with the support and influence of the two prophets, namely Haggai and Zachariah, the temple at Jerusalem was successfully built.

The temple fulfilled God’s plan for the Jews which both Kings Cyrus and Artaxerxes under His influence had decreed. Verse 15 gives the exact date that it was completed. It says, “The temple was completed month third day of the month Adar in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.” The temple was left incomplete for a long time before Haggai and Zacharia issued their challenges. But when they resumed the temple rebuilding it took roughly about four and a half years to complete it.

Ezra 6:16-18 describe the dedication of the temple. The Priests, the Levites, and the Jews who had returned from exile joyfully celebrated as the temple was being dedicated to God. Verse 17 said that for the dedication of the temple “…100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel 12 male goats, corresponding to the number of the tribes of Israel.” They then appointed priests and Levites accordingly to what Moses had written in the book of the Law. These were established for the service in the temple of Jerusalem.

From the rebuilding of the temples, we pick up lessons on the importance of keeping faith in God. Like they gave the significance of having a complete temple, we need to give attention to the significance of an unhindered altar of worship in our lives. Their plight shows us why it is essential for us to remain faithful to God and His word. When they heard the word from Haggai and Zachariah and listen to it afresh, they found new strength, zeal, and vigor to complete what they had left unaccomplished. Have we left the altar of our lives unattended because we are distracted or discouraged? Have we neglected the Word of God and neglected our time to connect with Him? It’s time to return to re-establish our personal altar. Return to the Word of God. Listen to the Word of God anew. Let’s be sure to establish the altar of God in our lives

  

 

Ezra 6:6-12 – Living a God-pleasing life

Ezra 6:1-12  were the instruction that King Darius to Tattenai the governor, Shethar-bozenai, and his colleagues concerning the Jews engaging in the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Firstly he told them not to impede their work but to let them complete it. Secondly, he directed that “the full cost is to be paid to these people from the royal treasury out of the taxes of the provinces beyond the River.” They were expected to fund them in the project without delay. Thirdly, they were also told that whatever the Jews might require for their worship be supplied to them; be they young bulls, rams, and lambs for their burnt offerings. Darius also instructed that the daily request of the priests in Jerusalem for wheat, salt, wine, and anointing oil be granted to them without fail. Fourthly, anyone found violating his instruction and impeding the work of the Jews would have to face a death sentence. That person would be crucified with a beam taken from his house, which would then be left in ruin.

What was heartening was Darius’ willingness not only to assist the Jews in the rebuilding of the temple but to make sure that the Jews could make their offer their pleasing sacrifices to God. Ezra 6:10 suggests that the Jews were also praying for the king and his sons. This was probably a practice carried forward from the instruction in Jeremiah 29:7. The prophet told the exiles that they should seek the welfare of their captors and their city. And that they should pray to the Lord on the behalf of their captors so that in return their captors would have welfare for them too. 

In the New Testament, in 1 Timothy 1:21-2 the Apostle Paul also urged the church to make “…entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgiving… on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” We should continue to  practice this and pray for our government and country so that God will grant us a peaceful environment for the propagation of the Gospel. Here we see that Darius recognized the hand of God in the rebuilding of the temple. So in Ezra 6:12, we see the decree that he issued, He said, “May the God who has caused His name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who attempt to change it, so as to destroy this house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, have issued this decree, let it be carried out with all diligence!”

The obstacles a person faces in life could be caused by living a life that is not pleasing to God. Proverbs 16:7 says, “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies be at peace with him.” In rebuilding the temple, Jews were obviously pleasing to the Lord in their conduct. So he made their opponent be at peace with them. So in much the same way, we should be advancing in the Lord, if we are pleasing God in the way we conduct ourselves. And if we find our progress in God being impeded, the question to ask is: “are my ways pleasing to the Lord?” We should be able to find some answers that will enable us to realign our lives and find breakthroughs in our journey with Him. Seek to please God in every way!   

Ezra 6:1-5 - Experiencing divine favor

Following up on Tattenai’s request in his letter, Ezra 6:1 said, that Darius issued a decree to conduct a search in the archive in Babylon, where the treasures of the Kingdom were stored. However, in verse 2 we are told that they found a memorandum issued by Cyrus in Ecbatana.  Where is Ecbatana? This was said to be a province in Media. Apparently, this was the summer palace of the King of Persia. So this implies that the memorandum was not recovered from the archive in Babylon.  

The conclusion must be that Darius extended the search to Ecbatana because he was also interested to find out the truth. He did not just search the archive in Babylon and concluded that the decree was not given just because it could not be found there. But he extended the search to Ecbatana. Using our sanctified imagination, we surmise that unless he was also in favor of the Jews’ rebuilding work, he would not have gone to such far in his search. Therefore, he did not just search in the royal archive in Babylon, he even extended the search to the king’s summer palace in Ecbatana.  It could also possibly be that he had some personal knowledge that the decree did exist.

Why should Darius show so much interest was only known to him. But that Darius took great pain to find out is indicative of divine providence. God was in it all. The content of the memorandum in Ezra 6:3-5 concurred that Cyrus did issue a decree. Without going into the detail of the dimension of the temple, we can see that the Jews had indeed told the truth. This memorandum authenticated it. God’s unseen hand protecting the Jews could be detected in what  the Jews were experiencing here.  

We take comfort that God’s plan cannot be thwarted. Nothing can prevent the fulfillment of His plan, no opposition, no evil intention, yes, not even lies. It is true for God’s people have the privilege of His protection. His promise in Isaiah 54:17 is that “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.      

Ezra 5:11-17 – The importance of spiritual perception

Continuing in his letter to Darius in Ezra 5:11-17, Tattenai wrote how the Jews responded to him when he interrogated them. They boldly claimed to be servants of the God of Heaven and earth. In other words, they were saying that they were serving the great God, the one who rules heaven and earth. Without naming King Solomon, they said that the temple they were engaged in rebuilding was the grand temple built and completed by him many years ago.  The Jews then went on to reveal why that temple was destroyed. In verse 13 they said, “…because our fathers had provoked the God of heaven to wrath, He gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this temple and deported the people to Babylon.”

 

In verse 13, the Jews then pointed to the favor shown to them by King Cyrus. In the very first year of his reign, he decreed for the temple in Jerusalem to be rebuilt. Not only did he allow them to return to rebuild the temple, but he also returned all the gold and silver utensils that Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and placed them in his temple in Babylon. Cyrus gave them all to the then-governor Sheshbazzar and told him to take them and put in in the temple in Jerusalem at its completion.  Obeying Cyrus, Sheshbazzar had laid the foundation of the temple in Jerusalem and since then the uncompleted temple was being built.

 

Knowing the Persian protocol of not allowing a king’s edict to be changed, Tattenai humbly requested a search in the royal archive in Babylon. He requested Darius to ascertain that Cyrus did indeed decree the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. His intention was to carry out Darius’ instruction accordingly. In what he did, he had unwittingly made time for the Jews to continue in rebuilding the temple. We can say that this too was divine providence.   

 

In pleading their case, notice that the Jews did not use the covenant name of their God. Tactfully they presented the true God as the God of heaven and earth. They did not want to be offensive to the Persian authority.  Wisely, they were acknowledging their faith in God. From their response, we can see that they realized that their national sin was the reason for their plight. They were where they were because of God’s discipline. In the discipline, their spiritual eyes were opened. It shows that they had indeed received the benefit of their chastisement.

 

The importance of having clear spiritual sight can never be over-emphasized. It is true that sin always blinds us and disables our spiritual sight. But know that the hard times God allows are illuminating. The tears God allows us to experience can wash away the blockages brought about by sin. Hard times will certainly be humbling, but they can enable us to have a clearer perception of our failures. If we have no awareness of our failures, we can never change. Hence, troubles that will awaken us are preferred to blindly walking on precariously in our imagined success. God will allow our eyes to be washed with tears so that we can see His plan for us.  

 

Ezra 5:6-10 – Be sure to serve God well

After 15 years the Jews under Zerubbabel and Jeshua resumed the rebuilding of the temple. They were goaded on by two prophets, namely Haggai and Zachariah. Ezra 5:3-5 show that they again faced a second wave of opposition.  The good thing was that they had a kinder and more noble governor in Tattenai. He and his team were not so pernicious. He wrote a letter to report to King Darius concerning the resumption of the rebuilding of the temple by the Jews. While waiting for the king’s response he allowed the rebuilding  to go on.  

Tattenai and his team wrote a report to King Darius. Being a fair man, what he wrote were facts that he had discovered, not hearsay. He had no intention to trap the Jews, so he did not exaggerate but told it as he saw the situation.  In Ezra 5:8, the governor first talked about his visit to the temple, which he referred to as the house of the great God. What the governor saw was a massive ongoing construction. The stones used were huge and beams were used to line the wall. The project was succeeding at the hand of the Jews who took great care and diligence in the building. This was to indicate that the contents of the report were not hearsay. They were facts that he had gathered in his trip down to Jerusalem to see the situation for himself. The second thing he did, recorded in Ezra 5:9-10, was to ascertain that they had permission for the building and completion of the temple. He also took care to find out the people, especially the leaders, who were involved in the building.

Two things we learn about from these verses. Tattenai wanted to be exact in his reporting. He did not use hearsay but facts and truth he discovered for himself. What he did shows us that accuracy and fairness are important in any report. This is all the more so for us believers in the Lord. We must not exaggerate or present half and misleading truths. A lot of misunderstandings and mischief have been caused by lies and half-truths. We must learn to be accurate and precise in our reporting. Secondly, we learn that to succeed in the work of God, we must attend to it wholeheartedly, with care and diligence. Tattenai's report said that the Jews put their heart into the work of God and was succeeding. So like them, we must also put our hearts diligently and carefully into the work of God to ensure its success. The right attitude, hard work, and diligence are not easy, but they are needed for excellent results. For the work of God, nothing short of the very best will do.      

Ezra 5:3-5 – God watches over us

The first wave of opposition that the Jews encountered as they sought to rebuild the temple was from the Samaritans. As a result of the opposition, work was stopped for about 15 years. Now in King Darius’ reign and under the influence of the Prophets Haggai and Zachariah, the rebuilding resumed. But as soon Zerubbabel and Jeshua restarted work the second wave of opposition began. This time the opposition came from the King’s official. Possibly instigated by the Samaritans who complained to governor Tattenai. Together with Shethar-bozenai and colleagues, the governor then interrogated the Jews who were engaged in the rebuilding program.

The Jews were asked who gave them permission to resume the work to complete the rebuilding of the temple. However, this time, they were not the least bit threatened. We can guess why. Firstly they were encouraged by the words of the two godly prophets, Haggai and Zechariah. Secondly, Ezra 5:5 said that “…the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews….” Though they could not see Him with their naked eyes, He was nonetheless moving among them invisibly, strengthening their hearts, and giving them courage. So they were unperturbed by the interrogation. They just gave the authority what they wanted and submitted the names of those who were involved in the restructuring of the temple to them. God’s favor was obviously upon them. So they were not prevented from their rebuilding program. The official allowed them to continue to work while they await a written response from Darius.

There is no threat too huge to intimidate us when we put our lives in the hand of the LORD. Like them, none of us should feel so terrified by our circumstances that we dare not be involved in what God is doing. There is nothing that is outside of God’s control and no threat too overwhelming when we put our lives in God’s hands. If His eyes are on the sparrow surely, He will watch over us. Just like He watched over the lives of the elders, He watches over us.

Ezra 5:1-2 - Don’t allow complacency to retard God’s call

During the reign of King Darius, those who returned from the exile also had a more sympathetic governor by the name of Tattenai. Two prophets namely Haggai and Zachariah were used by the LORD to stir their hearts and awaken them from their lethargy. These prophets were stirred by the LORD to call them to resume their work of rebuilding the temple. This was more clearly seen in the words of Haggai 1:2-11. Admonished and supported by these two prophets, Zerubbabel and Jeshua, the people then arose and rebuilt the temple of God.

The opposition of the Samaritans led to the cessation of the work of rebuilding the temple. This plus personal apathy weakened the resolve to continue with the work. The zeal to rebuild the temple was no longer a concern. They became self-seeking. This was seen in the words of Haggai and Zachariah to them in their writings.

All that is required to retard the work of God is for good men to choose to do nothing. For almost 15 years the work of rebuilding ceased. There was no progress. It was not until Haggai and Zachariah came to goad them on that rebuilding restarted. For us, we need to learn that in opposition, when there is a will there will be a way. The worst thing that can happen to us is when we use the opposition as an excuse not to do a thing.

There is a lesson here for us in this post-pandemic world. Many had become lethargic and conditioned by the staying-home mentality. They choose to skip attending physical worship with the body of Christ. This has become second nature to many. It is time for us to shake up our complacency and return to help the work of advancing the Kingdom. So, “…let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near (Hebrews 10:24b-25).”

 

Ezra 4:18-24 – Nothing can thwart the progress of God’s plan

In Ezra 4:7-16 we are told that the opposers of the Jewish community who returned from exile rejected the help of the Samaritans to help in rebuilding Jerusalem. Feeling snubbed and spurned, they wrote a letter to Artaxerxes complaining about the Jews. They insinuated that the returnee's work could incite rebellion from his other subjects from the other part of his empire.

On reading the letter of complaint, Artaxerxes responded. Ezra 4:17-23 describe his reply to Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and also the rest of their colleagues who were in Samaria. As suggested in the letter of complaint, Artaxerxes ordered an investigation into their accusation. From the archive, they found that the complaint had some basis. The Judeans had indeed been paying taxes to kings before him.  Artaxerxes also discovered the people of Jerusalem had indeed had a history of troubling the kings and were guilty of perpetrating rebellions. Not wanting his reputation to be damaged the king ordered Rehum, Shamshai, and all their colleagues to issue a decree to stop the ongoing rebuilding work in Jerusalem until a further decree was given. He even commanded them not to neglect this matter so as to avoid any impairment to him. Verse 24 tells us that as a result, the work of rebuilding ceased until the second  year of Darius. 

There will always be objections to the work of God we are engaged in. The opposition can impede our progress but can never prevent its completion. There will always be people who are eagerly waiting for our failure. We don’t have to succumb  to failure for in doing God’s work we will always have Him on our side. we trust HIm, soldier on. Remember the work of God can withstand all opposition He will ensure its completion. 

 

 

 

Ezra 4:7-16 – Dealing with poison pen

As established, Ezra 4 was recorded to show the opposition faced by the people who returned from exile. And that the people who returned from exile did n0t have easy. Hence the account was not chronological. Ezra 4:6 briefly talks about the accusations made to Ahasuerus. Continuing in troubling the Jews, Ezra 4:7-16 discusses a letter that was written to King Artaxerxes I. Verse 13 seems to indicate that this letter of complaint had to do with the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem This would have happened during the time of Nehemiah who Artaxerxes cupbearer.

Verse 7 said that in the days of Artaxerxes, three key persons, namely Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and their colleagues wrote a letter of complaint concerning the Jews. Since Aramaic was the language of the Persians, the letter was written in Aramaic. The last part of the verse hinted that the letter was translated into Hebrew from Aramaic. The content of the letter was collaborated by a group of others listed in verses 8-9. They were a mixture of people who were deported to Samaria by Osnapper. This had been identified as Ashurbanipal, the Assyrian king who succeeded Esarhaddon mentioned in Ezra 4:2.

The content of the letter of complaint was both subtle and manipulative. The letter began by alerting the king to what the Jews were doing. It says in verse 12, “let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem; they are rebuilding the rebellious and evil city and are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations.” The people who wrote this letter of complaint were manipulating the king. They wanted him to think they were loyal to him and had his interest at heart. So, they insinuated that should the Jews be allowed to finish their rebuilding projects they would stop paying their taxes. This would then result in a loss of revenue for the king and damage his reputation simultaneously.

Furthermore, the rebels might set an example for people in the other parts of his empire to rebel. Connivingly, they suggested that Artaxerxes should do a search on those returnees, whom they said had a history of being rebellious. They went so far as to malign that Jerusalem was “a rebellious city and damaging to kings and provinces and that they have incited revolt within it in past days; therefore that city was laid waste.”

Why did the Samaritans do what they did? They felt snubbed when the Jews refused to let them participate in their rebuilding program. So they sought to damage their work. But what they did was despicable. The letter they wrote to the king while full of kind words, like honey drippings for the king, was subtly assassinating the character of the Jews. What we see here is plainly a poison pen. What the Jews had experienced was not peculiar to them only. Be aware that as Christians we are not immune to such mischief, but we must remain strong in the Lord. We live as best as we know how. Be wise and careful in our dealings with people. But never feel intimidated to the extent that we are willing to compromise. Have the attitude of 1 Corinthians 15:28: be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

Ezra 4:6-7 – Expect opposition to our faith

The drift of Ezra 4 sets out to relate the opposition that the Jews who returned from their Babylonian exile had to face. What we read in this account seems to happen not in the times of Zerubbabel. What is presented here in Ezra is not a chronological account. The information was taken from other sources and put together here under the supervision of the Holy Spirit, the Divine Author.

The names of the different kings mentioned can be confounding if one tries to see the account chronologically. Looking at Ezra 4:6-7, two obvious questions would be: who is King Ahasuerus? Who is King Artaxerxes? King Ahasuerus also known as Xerxes I was the king who was also mentioned in the book of Esther. In that book, he was seen to have favored the Jews and used by God to preserve the Jews from the plot of the wicked Haman. King Ahasuerus took Esther as his queen.  God then used Esther as an instrument to save the Jews from being annihilated. It was to this king that an accusation was made against the Jews who returned to Jerusalem.   

 

Artaxerxes is also known as Artaxerxes I. He was the Persian king reigning during the rebuilding of the temple and eventually also the wall of Jerusalem by the returnees under the leadership of Nehemiah. The letter written by the opposers of the Jews to him, mentioned in Ezra 4:7 was a complaint about rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. This will be clearer in the book of Nehemiah. By the time the letter was written and sent, the temple was already completed. However, the opposers of the Jews still did manage to discourage the Jews, disrupting the rebuilding of the temple. For a time the rebuilding of the temple was slowed down until the prophets Haggai and Zechariah motivated them to finish what they had started.

 

Like those people of God who returned to restore the work of God, we who have been enlisted by the Lord into God’s Kingdom program should also expect some obstacles. The work of God had never and will never be without opposition. They will come in the form of criticism, sarcasm, insults, threats, and such. We must anticipate opposition, but we need not succumb to them or feel intimidated. The whole list of the heroes in the hall of faith in Hebrews 11 serves as a call to us to remain resilient in times of trials and opposition.

 

First Peter 4:12-13 urged us saying,  “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange things were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.” And James 1:2-4 said that we must “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  Trials will mature and complete us when we endure them. So we must face trials with a joyful attitude, trusting that through them God is maturing us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ezra 4:1-5 – Don’t be sabotaged by a lack of discernment.

The enemies of Judah and Benjamin that were said to come and trouble the Jews  in their temple rebuilding campaign were the Samaritans.  Who were the Samaritans, and where did they come about? From 2 Kings 17:24-33, we learn that when Israel fell to Assyria, many Assyrians were brought to resettle in Samaria.  Soon a new race of people known as the Samaritans ensued because of the mixed marriages. When the Assyrians came to Samaria, they introduced their gods and corrupted the place  spiritually and religiously. Thus syncretism became a way of life. These people embrace both Israel’s God as well as the gods the Assyrians brought along. Hence even in Jesus’ day, the Samaritans were never accepted but treated as pariahs.

When the Samaritans heard that the exile who had returned to Jerusalem was rebuilding the temple, they approached Zerubbabel and Jewish leaders to offer their help. What they said to Zerubbabel and the leaders in Ezra 2:2 was, “Let us build with you, for we, like you, seek your God; and we have been sacrificing to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us up here.” But their offer was turned down for an obvious reason. The leadership wanted to ensure that their devotion to the LORD was kept pure. Accepting their offer to help would leave a loophole for the introduction of corrupt practices. Wisely Zerubbabel and the Jewish leaders refused their offer saying, “You have nothing in common with us in building a house to our God; but we ourselves will together build to the Lord God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia has commanded us (Ezra 4:3).”

Feeling snub, the enemies then began to interrupt the building program. Their intimidation included hiring counselors to frustrate their counsel. They persisted in disrupting the rebuilding program all the days of King Cyrus until the reign of King Darius. Like Zerubbabel and the Jewish leaders, we must also prevent our service to God from being adulterated and sabotaged. We must guard any offer of help to our walk with Him with discernment. In these days where there is a proliferation of teachings, we need to be more careful.  Biblical terms with unbiblical definitions are often used, twisted, and contorted to mean something very different from the original intention of God.  

Proverbs 9:10 tells us that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” If we want to be discerning, this is the starting point – The fear of the LORD.  We all need to nurture a discerning spirit. This can be done by seeking to know God through His Word more diligently. Do not be done in by a lack of discernment!

    

Ezra 3:8-13 – Progress with God, don’t be waylaid by regrets

In our previous discussion, in Ezra 3:7, we are told the Jews who had now gathered in Jerusalem ordered timbers from Lebanon for the rebuilding of the temple. And in the second month of the second year of their return, Ezra 3:8 says they began the work of rebuilding the temple. Led by Zerubbabel and Jeshua, their brothers the priests and the Levites, and those who returned to Jerusalem started the rebuilding. Levites 20 years and above were appointed to oversee the work. The priests led by Jeshua together with his brothers stood with the Levites to supervise the workmen engaged in the rebuilding program.

Ezra 3:10-11 say that when the temple's foundation was laid, the priests fully robed in their priestly apparel with trumpets, and Levites, the sons of Asaph with cymbals, stood ready praising the LORD according to the direction that King David had done previously. They thankfully lauded the LORD saying, “For He is good, for His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever.”

A segment of the people who had returned saw the foundation of the temple laid, and responded with a great shout of joy. However, among them, many of the older priests, Levites, and leaders of families who had seen the grandeur of the previous temple, began to weep amidst the shouts of joy. Ezra 3: 12 tells us that there was a mixture of the shouts of joy and the bellowing of the cries of sadness that their joy or sadness became indistinguishable. There was a mixture of emotions among the returnees.

Lesson: we need a proper perspective to understand what God is doing in our lives. Be realistic. Face each day as it comes. When we put our hope in God, we learn to look positively at what God can do through us. But when we pessimistically compare what we see now and our success in the past, we tend to become melancholic. Optimism gives hope, and pessimism brings reticence. Optimism can help us to be excited and zealous in God. We should neither glory in our past successes nor wallow in past failures and regrets. Both can stifle our progress. Be thankful for good past experiences but don’t be overladen with past failures and regrets. Learn from the past, repent, align, and move on. Take the attitude of Paul, who said in Philippians 3:13-14, “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Ezra 3:4-7 – The importance of returning to God’s Word

Having successfully restored the altar, and offered burning sacrifices continually, Ezra 3:4-7 said that the people now boldly celebrated the Feast of Booth or the Feast of Tabernacle. Obviously, it was allowed by both Jeshua and Zerubbabel. Hence the people must have allowed it. They did it according to what was laid down in the ordinance.

Ezra 3:5 states that three things were carried out which were clearly stipulated in  Leviticus  23:34-42. Firstly, there was the continual burnt offering; secondly, there was the celebration of the new moon and regular feasts and festivals; and thirdly they allow the people to bring in their freewill offering.  

Since the start of the seventh month, they had been offering their burnt offering even though the foundation of the temple was not as yet laid. As it was needful to collect materials for the rebuilding of the temple, Verse 7 said that “They gave money to the masons and carpenters, and food, drink, and oil to the Sidonians and to the Tyrians, to bring cedar wood from Lebanon to the sea at Joppa….” They did all these with the permission of Cyrus king of Persia.

Verse 4 said explicitly “They celebrated the feast of the booth as it is written….” What took place as described in these verses resulted because of the people’s return to the word. It suggests that they obey the word and did according to what had been prescribed. Think about it, the Jew's predicament resulted because they departed from the instruction of God laid down in the Law and ordinances by Moses. Now we see a return to obeying the word.  These verses underscore the importance of the word of God in our lives. We not only need to be familiar with it so that we will know what God wants us to do. More than knowing the Word, we need to obey by doing it.  When we obey the Word, we abide and remain connected with Him. John 15:7  says if we abide in Jesus and His words abide in us, whatever we ask will be granted to us.  

 

Ezra 3:1-3 – Set each day right at the altar of God

We learned From Ezra 2 that when the people of God first returned from Babylon, they each were living in their own cities. After seven months Ezra 3:1 says that they gathered in unity in Jerusalem. We surmised from this that they only started work after seven months. We are not overstretching to think that were being cautious and did not want to stir up needless opposition or hostility from the non-Jews occupying Jerusalem.  This account for why they did not jump straight into the restoration of the temple. In life, wisdom dictates that caution should be exercised whenever we embark on something. There is always a need to survey the ground and know the condition better before launching one’s work. This best explains why they took seven months before starting work.

Ezra 3:2 reveals that Jeshua and his brothers who were priests as well as Zerubbabel and his brothers began the work of rebuilding the altar of the God of Israel. As the law required, they then offered burnt offerings on it. They did it according to the Law that Moses the man of God had prescribed.  Ezra 3:3 said that they were terrified of the people occupying the land and this fear drove them to rebuild the altar on the foundation. The “foundation” is referring to the place where the old altar stood.

Why were they fearful? Bear in mind that though Persia was the dominant power, the occupiers of Jerusalem were still idolatrous Babylonians and hostile opposers who worship their gods. Yet despite their fear, the Jews went on to rebuild that altar. In life, some people can be so petrified by fear till they are frozen. Or they can so fearful that they are driven to their knees to seek the Lord. Obviously, the fear drove the returnees to seek to right their relationship with the Lord their covenant God. So they built the altar and on it, they offered burnt offerings  to Him day and night.

One lesson to take away. Notice that on the altar, they offer their burnt offering day and night. There is a need for us to come to the altar of God daily too. Why? Because we need to live consecrated life daily. It’s also because we need daily strength from God to deal with our daily encounters in life.  Besides, there is nothing like beginning right with God each day and then having Him guide us through each moment of life.   

Ezra 2:64-70 - Give cheerfully to the work of God

In Ezra 2:64, the number of the returnees from Babylon was said to be 42,360 besides 7,337 male and female slaves and 200 singing men and women. This would add up to 49,897. However, the number of people given in Ezra 2:3-58 add up to only 29,818. How to explain this shortage? Those not from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin were not included in the total number. It could also be that non-descendants of Abraham whom the Jews married were not added. Verses 66 and 67 said that these returnees had 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.  

Verses 68-69 speak of some leaders who were when they arrived at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem offered gold and silver toward the restoration of its foundation. According to their ability, they brought them to the treasury for the restoration of the temple foundation. The amount indicated in verse 69 was “ 61,000 gold drachmas and 5,000 silver minas and 100 priestly garments.” Verse 70 says that all of Israel including the priests. Levites, the people, the singers, gatekeepers, and the temple servants lived in their cities and not in Jerusalem.  

Some of the people who arrived at the temple were inspired to give to the work. so verses 68 said, "Some of the heads of fathers’ households when they arrived at the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God to restore it on its foundation.” This shows us how willing were these people to give to the work of God. In advancing God’s work, finance is an important component. Everyone should play a part in advancing the kingdom. We give God our time and talent, but we must also be generous in contributing our finance. But when we give, we must give cheerfully and willingly. For God loves a cheerful giver.      

Ezra 2:59-63 – Be sure don’t just presume

Among those returning to Jerusalem from the Babylonian captivity, Ezra 2:58-60 tell us that there was a group of 652 people whose ancestry they could not ascertain. They were from three families namely Dalaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda. Hence, their status as Jews was in question.

Similarly, among the priests, Ezra 2:61-63 said that they were also three families of priests whose names could not be traced in the ancestral registry. They were the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, and Barzillai. Thus they were considered unclean and not allowed to conduct priestly functions. The governor then decided they could not partake of the holy food until a priest could ascertain their status with the Urim and Thummim.

Interestingly, verse 61 elaborated on how Barzilai got his name. He was said to have married a daughter of the famous Barzilai who helped King David during Absalom’s rebellion. He then took on the name of his father-in-law.

For continuity, they needed to be sure that all returnees had Jewish heritage. The same was also for the priesthood, they wanted to be sure those called to perform priestly functions truly qualified for their tasks. Ezra 2:59-63 imply that being a true Jew or priest was more important than just being presumed to be one. So they took the pain to ensure that one was a true Jew or a true priest.

One lesson to take away: Being a true Christian and a true disciple of Christ is more important than just presuming oneself to be one. It is important that our identity as a Christian and a disciple of Christ be affirmed by our character. The way we conduct ourselves will show whether we are genuine disciples of Christ or not. Let us seek to be genuine disciples of Christ and don’t just presume that we are one, without truly being one.  

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ezra 2:1-58 – God is aware of what’s happening to us

The whole second chapter of  Ezra 2 contains a list of names of God's people who returned from Babylon to Jerusalem after 70 years in captivity. They are categorized into seven groups in verses 2 to 58. Firstly, a group of twelve leaders (verse 2); secondly a list of the men of Israel (verses 3-35); thirdly, the priests (36-39); fourthly, the Levites (verses 40-42);  fifthly, the temple servants (verses 43-54); sixthly, the sons of Solomon’s servants (verses 5-57); and seventhly a mixed and miscellaneous group of people (verses 59-60).

Zerubbabel was the first to be mentioned in the list of leaders. This is an indication that he was the one who led this first wave of returnees back to Jerusalem. Strangely, Sheshbazzar though he was said to be the prince of Judah in Ezra 1:8 & 11 was not mentioned in this list. It is believed that he could possibly be Zerubbabel who led this wave of returnees from exile.

Three lessons we can learn from this listing of names:   

1.   The LORD God has a precise plan, and purpose, for His people. He believes and knows precise detail accurately. It is so encouraging to know that we worship this God. This should reassure and inspire our desires to serve Him.   

2.   In God there is continuity. The well-kept ancestry of Israel tells us that nothing escapes His notice. In the same way, He saw everything that had happened to us and nothing can happen to us in the future that will be outside of His knowledge and plan. We can safely and securely trust Him to take care of our concerns in life.

3.  Unlike ours, God’s revelation is holistic. He saw the end from the beginning, and everything in-between as well. Whatever is happening in the world should not petrify or overwhelm us because our God is at the helm. Instead, it should drive us to pray more and commit even more to Him.   

 

Ezra 1:5-11 – The importance of restoring worship

Cyrus’ decree was for all his subjects, including those from Isreal (the Northern Kingdom) who survived the Assyrian captivity. But Ezra 1:5 tells that only those leaders from the household of Judah and  Benjamin, the priests, and the Levites responded. Again it was God who had moved the hearts of these people to respond to the call. As for those people among those who had responded Cyrus urged them to be encouraging those who had set their hearts to return to rebuild the temple. Ezra 1:6 they heeded Cyrus' words, and they encouraged those who had responded by contributing “…articles of silver, with gold, with goods, with cattle and with valuables, aside from all that was given as a freewill offering.” We are accumst9med to a similar situation that happened to the people of God during the time of the exodus of God’s people from Egypt. When their forefathers left Egypt, they had lots of contributions of silver, gold, and jewelry from their neighbors. Lessons to be learned here: firstly, when God calls us to a mission, He will ensure our provision. Secondly, for those of us who may not be called to the mission, we can certainly generously support and finance those who are sent out.      

When Nebuchadnezzar raided Jerusalem, he seized articles from the house of the LORD there and brought them back, and put them in the house of his gods. In Ezra 1:7,  Cyrus had the treasurer Mithredath, brought those articles out to be counted before Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.  Ezra 1:8-10 then enumerated the articles. They comprised “30 gold dishes, 1,000 silver dishes, 29 duplicates;  30 gold bowls, 410 silver bowls of a second kind and 1,000 other articles.” We are told in verse 11 that “All the articles of gold and silver numbered 5,400.” All these were brought back to Jerusalem from Babylon by Sheshbazzar and those exiles returning to rebuild the temple.

The life of the people of God evolved around the worship of the LORD. Hence the temple was central to their lives. Thus rebuilding the temple was to be the first agenda for the returnees. because the invasion of Nebuchadnezzar had left the temple in ruin. For us believers today, our lives must also revolve around worship. This being true, each one of us must ask: How is the altar of my life? Is it intact? If not, what are the things that are causing my worship to be in this state? Will I pay the price to rebuild it? There is no cost too big to have our worship with God restored. Make sure to do anything and everything needed to rebuild it. We need it more than anything in life.