Welcome to this installment of our Blogging Through the Bible series, where three sisters join me in endeavoring to read the Bible cover to cover, and blog about it in turn as we go. You can catch more at No Longer Lukewarm, where Angela writes, Words from the Wheel is where Stacey writes, and Tatiana writes at The Musings of Mum.
Ezra chapter 3 and 4
Ezra chapter 3 is documentation of events when there is a move of the people back to Jerusalem, a move to rebuild the temple, and a move to re-instate ways of worship and ceremony instituted by "Moses' law." This chapter documents some statistics and specifics.
Definitely moving in the right direction!
At the end of the chapter these verses strikes me deepest:
Ezra 3
11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
Ezra 4
Ezra 4 is about an attempt for a "foreign culture" to enter the cooperation to help re-build the temple again, but the decision making elders refused the offer. Corrupt politics ensued, and this verse illustrates some of that, but is not the extent. By the end of chapter 4 we see orders to cease progress on the temple and wall.
Ezra 4
5 And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
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21 Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.
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24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
*Do you see any parallels between this history, and today's politics?
*What do you think we can learn from all this?
*What is the steadfast source of wisdom then, and now?
*The loud celebration described in chapter 3....when was the last time you have known of something so passionately celebrated?
*What can we do as a people, to move towards service and celebration of God, His mercy, His grace, His provision of Jesus, His word in our lives?
*Is there a way that you are convicted to improve, for His glory?
Dear Lord, I want to be ever increasingly in Your service, and to Your glory. Teach me Your wisdom and Your ways, even in local, state, and national politics. Love of others and glory to You, as my main goal, You please be my guide. Help me to be a passionate and cheerful worshiper. In Jesus's name I pray, AMEN
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