7/11/2011 7:47:54 AM
SPIRITUAL DIARY
My Worship Time Focus: Stage Two: the work resumed PT-2
(God used local officials)
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Ezra 5:3-17
Message of the verses: “3 ¶ At that time Tattenai, the governor of the province beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai and their colleagues came to them and spoke to them thus, "Who issued you a decree to rebuild this temple and to finish this structure?" 4 Then we told them accordingly what the names of the men were who were reconstructing this building. 5 But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until a report could come to Darius, and then a written reply be returned concerning it. 6 This is the copy of the letter which Tattenai, the governor of the province beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai and his colleagues the officials, who were beyond the River, sent to Darius the king. 7 They sent a report to him in which it was written thus: "To Darius the king, all peace. 8 "Let it be known to the king that we have gone to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is being built with huge stones, and beams are being laid in the walls; and this work is going on with great care and is succeeding in their hands. 9 "Then we asked those elders and said to them thus, ’Who issued you a decree to rebuild this temple and to finish this structure?’ 10 "We also asked them their names so as to inform you, and that we might write down the names of the men who were at their head. 11 "Thus they answered us, saying, ’We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth and are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished. 12 ’But 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. 13 ’However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to rebuild this house of God. 14 ’Also the gold and silver utensils of the house of God which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, and brought them to the temple of Babylon, these King Cyrus took from the temple of Babylon and they were given to one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had appointed governor. 15 ’He said to him, "Take these utensils, go and deposit them in the temple in Jerusalem and let the house of God be rebuilt in its place." 16 ’Then that Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the house of God in Jerusalem; and from then until now it has been under construction and it is not yet completed.’ 17 "Now if it pleases the king, let a search be conducted in the king’s treasure house, which is there in Babylon, if it be that a decree was issued by King Cyrus to rebuild this house of God at Jerusalem; and let the king send to us his decision concerning this matter.’”
I think that the first thing one has to realize is that the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem was in the plan of the Lord, and nothing was going to stop the rebuilding of this temple. God spoke through the prophet Isaiah that Cyrus would let the people go and Cyrus gave the order and also gave to the returning exiles the gold and silver articles needed for worship in the temple. These articles were in the temple of the gods of Babylon. The people during this time period when they defeated a country would take the gods and place them in the temple of their gods to show off that their god was stronger than the one they had just conquered. Another example of this was when the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant from Israel: “1Sa 5:2 Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it to the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon.” This story continues with the Philistines returning the ark of God to Israel because the Lord had brought much trouble to the Philistines.
Tattenai was a governor over the land that included Jerusalem and when he looked at what the exiles were doing he was rightly concerned about the rebuilding of the temple for the way it is described in the letter one could mistake it for a fortress thinking that these exiles were about to go to war with Persia. Tattenai asked two questions: who gave the orders to rebuild the temple and what are the names of those doing the rebuilding? The leaders of Israel were very honest and straightforward in answering Tattenai. They realized that it was the Lord who was really in charge of this project and their answers gave glory to the Lord, and they also realized their answers looked like they were rebelling against Persia and in particular Tattenai that there would be trouble.
At this time I would like to list some verses that go along with how these exiles did act towards those who were over them, that is the Persians.
“Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. (Col. 4:5)
“-so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need (1Thes. 4:12)
“1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good” (Romans 13:1-4a).
“13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1Peter 2:13-15).
Dr. Wiersbe writes the following that shows the good sense these leaders of the exiles acted towards their Persian leaders: “Both in their words and their demeanor, they presented a clear witness to this important Persian official, and God used him to certify their right to build and guarantee supplies from the king.” As I read these words and how all of this worked out I can only say that God is great and greatly to be praised.
Spiritual meaning for my life today: As I look at the plan that the Lord had for the return of Israel to their land and the building of the temple I must then believe that the Lord has a plan for my life and surely for every believer. I look at Ephesians 2:10 which speaks of the work that the Lord has planned for His children way back in eternity past I realize that the Lord has a plan for me and work for me to accomplish for His glory. My part in all of this is to abide or remain in the Vine, the Lord Jesus Christ, and by doing this the Lord will produce the works or fruit that He has planned for me to accomplish for His glory.
My Steps of Faith for Today:
1. Abide in Christ.
2. Continue to learn contentment.
3. Give myself to the Lord this day for worship and for service.
7/11/2011 8:41:43 AM
No comments:
Post a Comment