Thought for the Week

There is a section of Scripture in the beginning of the Book of Ezra that I would like to look at with you. This will not be an expository ‘Thought” just some comments on what Israel went through and perhaps what we’re going through as well. A new king had come to the Persian throne. It seems God moved mightily upon him. One of his first acts in office was to decree Israel should be allowed to send back some of its people and to rebuild. He was very generous. He supplied financial support. He required his people from other nations to help them when they asked. Most certainly there were some who were strongly opposed to these actions. Cyrus allowed the Israelites to take back some of the sacred artifacts that had been taken from the temple Solomon built. One of the first actions Israel took was to rebuild an altar for worship. They not only rebuilt it but they began to offer sacrifices and did so continuously. This was a clear sign of their thankfulness to God. The offerings were also a clear demonstration of sacrificial worship. There were some other things I want to mention. Ezra 3:3 indicates part of the reason for rebuilding the altar and offering sacrifice was because they were afraid. They were afraid of the enemy nations and peoples that surrounded them who already had made threats. It is normal and perhaps even good that we can come before God and bring to Him sacrifices and praises when we are afraid. God encouraged them and encourages us to come to Him when we are afraid. Scriptures have hundreds of references that tell us to “Fear not!” There are other supporting thoughts from Scripture to encourage us to come to God as a refuge, strength, present help, comfort, and more. God even pictures Himself as a mother hen Who wants to gather us (as chicks) under His sheltering wings. The people also kept holy celebrations which God had commanded them to do. 3:11 I reprint here from the KJV: “And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because He is good, for His mercy endures forever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, then they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.” Isn’t that a great thing? They had reached a milestone, laying the foundation for the new temple and their celebration was magnanimous. But there is a mixing of emotion here. Some of the old men who had returned from captivity in Babylon/Persia and doubtless some who had continued to live in the land of Israel, remembered the Old Temple and were extremely grieved at their loss and the painful memories they had. They also lifted their voices in sorrowful weeping and wailing. 3:13 says it was impossible to separate the joy from the mourning; the celebration from the sorrow. This could also fit us. We are living in challenging times. It is hard to separate our sorrows from our joys sometimes. But there is a Scriptural reference that tells us to “bring them all” the joys and sorrows, the doubts and fears, the emotions of all kinds to the Lord. As we begin a new year, I would encourage you to build or rebuild a family altar, to establish or re-establish family worship. “Bring them all,” joys, sorrows, doubts, fears, confidences, requests, praises and intercessions to God.

Scriptures to Read

Ezra 1:1-4

Ezra 1:5-7

Ezra 3:1-7

Ezra 3:8-13

Psalm 126:1-6

Psalm 127:1-2, 128:1-2,4-5

Joshua 1:6-9