King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Chapters: Ezra Chapters 1-3
Message: Working Together In One Accord
Hello My Friend,
As I was reading the chapters for today, this passage came to mind, [Philippians 2:1-5 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:]
As saved, born again Christians we are not going to agree on everything, but that does not mean that we cannot work together as a team. In fact, if there was ever a time that we need to be working together as a team it is now. And as we get closer to Christ’s return I do feel as though there will be one more revival of the Church before things really go downhill, [Romans 12:5-8 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.]
The Book of Ezra is the fifteenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains ten chapters. The author of the book is Ezra, and it was written to the Jews in Babylon. The purpose of the book was to record their return from captivity after spending seventy years in Babylon and of their rebuilding the temple. The timeline for these events is approximately 536 BC to 457 BC. What we are to learn from the book is that repentance is the key to restoration with God, [Ezra 9:5-6 And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God, 6 And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.]
The Persian empire, including Persia, Media, Babylonia, and Chaldea, along with several smaller provinces, was founded by king Cyrus in 536BC. When God gave Daniel the visions of Babylon’s destruction, it was in the third year of King Cyrus. So, the Jews release from captivity had taken place three years before Daniel’s vision, which was why he probably felt he needed to start praying for them, [Daniel 10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.]
As we begin the reading of Ezra, it had been seventy years since Nebuchadnezzar seized Judah and taken the Jews captive into Babylon, and now God is ready for His people to return to Jerusalem, and rebuild the temple. King Cyrus, under the inspiration of God, stood before the Jews, eager to send any volunteers willing to go.
[Ezra 1:1-3 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.]
[by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled,] This is referring to what God had revealed to Jeremiah in regards to the destruction of Babylon, [Jeremiah 25:11-12 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 12 And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.]
Anyone who could not make the journey, perhaps of old age or by some obligation, willingly gave offerings to help in rebuilding the temple. Now, the people wasted no time after the decree was made, many of the heads of the household, priests, and Levites stepped up to make this journey back to Jerusalem.
[Ezra 1:5-8 Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. 6 And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered. 7 Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods; 8 Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.]
[with all them whose spirit God had raised,] The same God that raised up the spirit of Cyrus to proclaim liberty to the Jews, raised up their spirits to make the journey back to Jerusalem. While many did not go out of fear or contentment, they did not discourage the ones who were eager to head back home. anyone who could not make the journey, perhaps of old age or by some obligation as in the case of Daniel or Esther, willingly gave offerings to help in rebuilding the temple. Now, the people wasted no time after the decree was made, many of the heads of the household, priests, and Levites stepped up to make this journey back to Jerusalem.
[Ezra 2:1-2,59,62-63 Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city; 2 Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: 59 And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father’s house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel: 62 These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. 63 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.]
[those that were reckoned by genealogy,] This list not only served as a record of how many Jews returned to Jerusalem it also became a registry to know what tribe they came from. Some of the Jews had no idea who they came from, and some of them were Samaritans, meaning half Jew, and were not found in the record books, and therefore, in the case of the Levites, they were refrained from serving in the temple. It is very important that we know for sure that our names are written in the lambs Book of Life, otherwise, we will be put out of the priesthood, [Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.]
[till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.] [Urim; Lights] which signifies the oracular brilliancy of God in the high priest’s breastplate. [Thummim; Perfections] which signifies the complete Truth of the Law. Referring to this Law, [Exodus 28:30 And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.]
Their government was a theocracy, meaning God was their king, the high priest was, under God, their ruler. Urim and Thummim, were His cabinet council to signify that the high priest, having placed every soul upon his heart, brought them before God with the Light and Truth of His Word. Today, Jesus is our high priest, who stands before God with every saved soul upon His heart. And incidentally, God, had originally intended for every saved soul to be priests, [Exodus 19:5-6 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.]
God’s people are a peculiar treasure for sure, there are not many who are willing to go wherever God leads them, especially if it is something challenging. Well, all together there were forty-nine thousand six hundred and ninety-seven people who made the trip back to Jerusalem. Remember, the temple had been burnt to the ground so, it had to be built from the ground up, even the foundation had to be relaid. It took them seven months to get there, which was near the end of September or beginning of October.
[Ezra 3:1-4 And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. 2 Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. 3 And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening. 4 They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;]
[gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.] Do you see how that all came together in one accord to build the temple? If there is one thing about God’s people, they are just like any earthly family who has squabbles, they come together when needed because they are family, [1 Corinthians 12:25-26 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.]
[They kept also the feast of tabernacles,] This was the first time in decades, that the ceremonial offerings were made. When they arrived, the Feast of Tabernacles drew near, so they built an altar as well as their tents to dwell in while they rebuilt the temple, but the foundation had yet to be built.
[Ezra 3:6-8 From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid. 7 They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia. 8 Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.]
[the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid.] You do not need a building to worship God, but you do need the right foundation, and that is Jesus Christ, [1 Corinthians 3:10-11 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.]
They were rebuilding the temple on the same spot which it had formerly stood, this was necessary to keep up worship during the time that they should be employed in the rebuilding of the temple. Because of the unfriendly disposition of their surrounding neighbors they feared what would happen, which was probably why it took them until the next year to start laying the foundation, but they worked together, singing and praising God while they did it.
[Ezra 3:10-12 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. 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:]
[many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers…wept with a loud voice;] Serving God is not always easy, it can come with many challenges, especially in our faith, not only do you feel good about what you are doing, you also feel conviction, and a love that you have never felt before. And the work we do for God does not return void, even if we get persecuted, we will reap the benefits of giving our time to God and the work He calls us to do. Of all the duties that God gives us, the most rewarding and important is getting out the Gospel to the lost, [James 5:19-20 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Ezra 1:7-8 Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods; 8 Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, What a blessing it is to be one of Yours, not because of any good that I have done, but because of my belief in what You have done for me. I am saved, redeemed, and one of Yours because I am only trusting in You alone for my salvation. While I can do nothing to get into Your Kingdom, except believe in You, I can do something to reach others by building my life upon You, who is my foundation. Lord, Lead me and guide me in all that I do, give me Your mercy and grace to see me through. Teach me to love all my brothers and sisters in Christ all the same and to love the lost to reach them at such a time as this I ask these things in Your name, Jesus, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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