pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Ezra


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Joy and Sorrow

Readings: Ezra 1, Ezra 2, Ezra 3

Ezra 1:3 – “If there are any of you who are from his people, may their God be with them! They may go up to Jerusalem… and build the house of the LORD.”

Ezra continues the story of the chronicler. It might even be the same author. The start of Ezra 1 mirrors the end of 2nd Chronicles 36. King Cyrus of Persia issues a proclamation. God tells Cyrus to build a house for God in Jerusalem. In response he proclaims: “If there are any of you who are from his people, may their God be with them! They may go up to Jerusalem… and build the house of the LORD.” Cyrus also calls for support from those who do not go and he sends along the temple items that Nebuchadnezzar had looted. The ending of the exile and the proclamation to build the temple fulfill Jeremiah’s prophecy.

Chapter 2 contains the list of those “whose spirit God stirred up” to go home to rebuild the temple. Almost 50,000 make the journey. This is the total for phase one – the rebuilding of God’s house. This is but a small piece of the multitude sent into exile. The first step is to settle in, to become inhabitants in the land. After seven months the returnees gather in Jerusalem. Jeshua and Zerubbabel rebuild the altar together. The head priest and the political leader work together. Entirely burned offerings are given. They celebrate the Festival of Booths – a reminder of God’s provision when Israel lived in tents (or booths) during their time in the wilderness. From this point on, the daily offerings required by the law of Moses will be given.

The work is organized and construction begins. Cedarwood is contracted for. In the second month of year two, workers begin to lay the temple’s foundation. Upon its completion, there is a great celebration. There is great joy amongst the priests and the people. But mixed in is great weeping. The oldest remember the first temple. There is a grief in this. The old and the new intersect in this moment of joy and of sorrow. God is present in both.

Prayer: Lord God, the rebuilding of your people has begun. You use an earthly power to fulfill your prophet’s words. Your presence moves some people to action. A new thing is being done both physically and spiritually. O Lord, continue to be at work in us, repairing what has been broken, shaping and forming us into your people too. Amen.


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Marvelous

Reading: Psalm 118: 1-2 and 19-29

Verse 22: “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone”.

Have you ever been driving down the road and, as you looked ahead, thought there was water or oil across the road? Or have you ever approached someone, thinking it was a friend, only to have them turn at the last second, revealing the face of a stranger?

Psalm 118 is a song of God’s love for Israel. The psalmist writes of God as helper, refuge, defender. The psalmist rejoices in God’s strength, righteousness, joy, salvation. The Psalm speaks of the blessings of the one who comes in God’s name and of the festive parade when the faithful process to the temple. Is that King David we see in our mind’s eye? Or is that Gideon returning after defeating the Midianites? Or is it Ezra welcoming the exiles back to a rebuilt city and temple? Perhaps that is Jesus coming up the hill on the colt.

In verse 22 we read, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone”. These words do not fit David or Gideon or Ezra or any other king or prophet that rode into Jerusalem. Only one’s “festal parade” would end with him being the sacrifice. The parade, the palms, the celebration of tomorrow is a bit of an illusion too. The cheering crowds of Palm Sunday will soon be the taunting and jeering crowds at week’s end. Many who shout “Hosanna”! and wave palm branches are caught up in the excitement. Soon enough many will reject Jesus Christ, enabling the religious leaders in their quest to be rid of Jesus. There is an illusion here too. They are not eliminating Jesus; they are an essential part of the glory that will be revealed on Easter, on resurrection day. There are many plot twist and turns in the week ahead. Much is not as it seems to appear. The tide rolls along, ever guided by the hand of God.

We begin tomorrow with the celebration, the palms, the joy of Jesus’ triumphal entry. Knowing the end of the story allows us to walk with Jesus, knowing the truth of verse 23: “The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes”. Yes, Easter is coming. God is in control. Give thanks to the Lord! His love endures forever!

Prayer: God, you are the creator, the one who sets all things in motion. You sent Jesus knowing he’d be rejected and killed. You did so knowing he is the capstone of the kingdom you are building. You sent him to us, knowing what we’d do. Thank you for your great love, O God. Amen.


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A Living Expression

Ezra and the Levites not only read the Word of God to the people, but they also explain the meaning.  In doing so, the people can do more than simply hear the Word read; they can gain an understanding of them and apply them to their lives.  In today’s passage, they were reading from the law.  Through the priests’ explanations, the people came to see that they were falling short and they mourned.

At times we too read the Bible or hear a sermon or read a devotional book and we experience conviction or motivation.  Maybe the passage is about loving our neighbor and we realize we have been less than loving to a coworker.  Maybe the message is about forgiveness and it leads us to reconcile with a friend.  Maybe the devotional for the day speaks of an act of generosity and we are inspired to clean out the closets so that we can donate some warm clothing to the local mission.  God’s Word is active and living.  When we spend time in the Word, reading or hearing it, it has to affect how we live our life as it builds our love for God.  Through the Word, we also come to know God’s love for us.

Ezra does not leave the people mourning though.  Instead he reminds them of the holiness of their gathering and of their ability to live out the Word.  He helps them to see that when they are together, it is a time of blessing.  The blessing is both from the time spent with God and from the time spent with each other as both build up their strength.  As he sends them out to the feast to celebrate, he reminds them to continue to care for one another and to be in community.  If a brother or sister is lacking, he reminds the people to provide for them so that they too can celebrate God’s presence and strength in their lives and in the community.

We too are called to hear and then doers of the Word.  May our lives each day be a living expression of all that God places upon our hearts and then calls us to do as we continue on our journey of faith.

Scripture reference: Nehemiah 8: 8-10