Ezra 3-6 no comments
How do you go about restoring things after God’s chastening hand has been removed? Put worship first. There was no temple as yet, but that did not hinder them from setting up an altar and sacrificing to God. This is an illustration of Matthew 6:33. They needed to worship God for their own sake as well for a witness to the people around them.
It was time for the Feast of Tabernacles, a joyful feast of thanksgiving. Times were tough, but the people obeyed the Word and praised the Lord. This in itself would be a testimony to the Gentiles, and it would do their own hearts good. It is always the right time to praise the Lord.
The Scriptures told them all they needed to know to rebuild the temple, and they followed God’s plan. The foundation is the most important part of the building, for it determines the size, shape, and strength of the structure. Do you have the right foundations for your life?
Look to the future. The old people looked back and wept while the young people looked ahead and rejoiced. Tears and cheers, not too different from what is happening in families and churches today. The men were able to work together but not praise God together. If you concentrate on your past, you are sure to rob yourself of a glorious future (Phil. 3:12–14).
You cannot change the past, but the past can change you, either for better or for worse. It all depends on how you look at it. The past can be a rudder that guides you or an anchor that hinders you. Leave your past mistakes with God, and look to the future by faith.
As soon as God starts to bless, the enemy starts to battle. Satan is a destroyer, and he gets angry when God’s people unite to build. He has three favorite weapons.
Cooperation (Ezra 4:1–3). The people were descendants of the Jews who intermarried with the Gentiles the Assyrians brought to the land (2 Kings 17:24). The “mixed multitude” would have corrupted the Jews and interfered with the work (Exod. 12:38; Num. 11:4). Beware volunteers; they may be working for the enemy!
Intimidation (Ezra 4:4–5). Discouragement and fear are effective weapons, especially when the work is already difficult. When you start to experience fear, lean on Isaiah 12:2 .
Legislation (Ezra 4:6–24). The people of the world will use “official influence” to hinder God’s work. From their viewpoint, Jerusalem had been a rebellious city, and the king would certainly be concerned about taxes. The tactic worked, and the construction had to stop.
But God was still at work!
About fifteen years elapse between Ezra 4:24 and 5:1 . During that time, God prepared two prophets to renew and strengthen the work. After all, God’s Word commenced the project (Ezra 1:1), so only God’s Word could continue it and complete it (Gal. 3:3). When God wants to get something done, He sends His servants with His Word, for nothing but our unbelief can hinder the power of the Word. Even the pagan king had to bow before the Word of God!
When God’s Word is with you and God’s eye is upon you (Ezra 5:5), your work will prosper (Ezra 6:14; see also Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:1–3). Revival comes when God’s people heed God’s Word and do what God tells them to do. Read Haggai’s four sermons of encouragement and rebuke and see what true “revival preaching” is like. Do those messages speak to you now?
The project began with mingled joy and tears (Ezra 3:8–13), but it ended with all the people rejoicing (Ezra 6:16–22). The traditional feast took on new joy because of what God had done for His people.
