I'll be honest, I'm not a huge fan of the minor prophets. I prefer stories. And while there's some of that in those smaller books, it's mostly prophesying. But, I'm reading Haggai because he was the prophet during Ezra's time and his whole book (all two chapters of it) are about Zerubbabel and the building of the temple.
OK, so now that my preface is done (haha), I'll write what was actually interesting about chapter 1.
Apparently, the people had some nice homes while the temple laid in ruins. This displeased God. He wanted to get the people's attention so He stopped blessing them as much. "You Looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?" says the LORD of hosts. "Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house" 1:9.
That might sound harsh but, when you think about it and after reading Ezra and Nehemiah, the people didn't really have to pay for the rebuilding of the temple. God had the other nations pay for it plus the king who ruled over them gave back their temple belongings. So, really . . . c'mon people! Why would someone ever think that it wasn't right to provide the very best for the God that takes the very best care of them?
Gotta look at life from above the world's perspective to really see it clearly.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Ezra
Ezra . . . who was he? Well, as I read along I realized that he wasn't exactly like Nehemiah.
When I read the Bible I don't really expect to see the personality of a person. I'm not sure why, I guess it could be that I assume the since the basics are usually what's written that it won't be thought nessesary to express. Now this is clearly a WRONG assumption because obviously David has a strong personality that is expressed in scriptures, as well as Peter, and many others. This is just one of those "first thought" assumptions that I still have even though I know from previous experience that it's wrong.
Nonetheless, I was still amazed to see the differences between Nehemiah and Ezra. Nehemiah seemed more logical (not that Ezra wasn't—he was) in the sense that I didn't really see him display emotions such as mourning. Whereas Ezra tore his garments and wept and pulled out his hair when hearing about the peoples sin. Their sin broke his heart and he responded from the heart.
When Nehemiah had to deal with the sin of the people he displayed more of an anger than bitter sadness. Not that he lost his cool (cause he was very calm, cool, and collected) but it affected him in a different way. He didn't display much personal emotion. He was very no-nonsense and just wouldn't take certain things. He would speak strongly to the people and expected change right away.
Ezra dealt with things with words as well and expected change but first he dealt with his personal emotions. Whereas it seems that Nehemiah dove right into the heart of the matter . . . i.e. the merchants selling things on Sabbath.
Annnd . . . something I just realized in flipping through Nehemiah just now is that Ezra is in Nehemiah! In chapter 8 he reads the law to the people. I totally didn't even remember him. Ha!
Anyway . . . I'm wondering . . . you know, Ezra was a scribe . . . and writers, I think, tend to be more emotional—it's because we're, in a sense, artists. And Nehemiah was definitely a leader . . . and leaders tend to, I think, look for results quickly and how something can get accomplished in the best, quickest, and easiest way before dealing with how the situation makes them feel.
Hmm . . . just a thought.
When I read the Bible I don't really expect to see the personality of a person. I'm not sure why, I guess it could be that I assume the since the basics are usually what's written that it won't be thought nessesary to express. Now this is clearly a WRONG assumption because obviously David has a strong personality that is expressed in scriptures, as well as Peter, and many others. This is just one of those "first thought" assumptions that I still have even though I know from previous experience that it's wrong.
Nonetheless, I was still amazed to see the differences between Nehemiah and Ezra. Nehemiah seemed more logical (not that Ezra wasn't—he was) in the sense that I didn't really see him display emotions such as mourning. Whereas Ezra tore his garments and wept and pulled out his hair when hearing about the peoples sin. Their sin broke his heart and he responded from the heart.
When Nehemiah had to deal with the sin of the people he displayed more of an anger than bitter sadness. Not that he lost his cool (cause he was very calm, cool, and collected) but it affected him in a different way. He didn't display much personal emotion. He was very no-nonsense and just wouldn't take certain things. He would speak strongly to the people and expected change right away.
Ezra dealt with things with words as well and expected change but first he dealt with his personal emotions. Whereas it seems that Nehemiah dove right into the heart of the matter . . . i.e. the merchants selling things on Sabbath.
Annnd . . . something I just realized in flipping through Nehemiah just now is that Ezra is in Nehemiah! In chapter 8 he reads the law to the people. I totally didn't even remember him. Ha!
Anyway . . . I'm wondering . . . you know, Ezra was a scribe . . . and writers, I think, tend to be more emotional—it's because we're, in a sense, artists. And Nehemiah was definitely a leader . . . and leaders tend to, I think, look for results quickly and how something can get accomplished in the best, quickest, and easiest way before dealing with how the situation makes them feel.
Hmm . . . just a thought.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
It Wasn't His To Take . . .
. . . but he took it anyway.
That this statement could be good or bad depending on what you read into it. For example, 'the car wasn't his to take but he took it anyway.' Or in the case of Jesus, our sin wasn't His to take (meaning he hadn't sinned to cause Him to carry that burden) but He took it anyway. In this particular case Ezra is involved and it's more like the last example.
I like to read a Bible promise before I go to bed each night, it just helps to refocus my mind as I attempt (haha) to drift off to sleep—sometimes easier said than done. Last night I read this amazing verse (Job 16:20, 21) that says, "My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend."
This is what Ezra did for the people he wept for the sins that they had committed. What they did, while he wasn't part of it, rocked him to his core. He loved his nation, he was proud of his nation and the God they served, but not their sin. And the fact that they sinned—this people he loved—ripped his heart.
Chapter 10:6 says "Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God [he had just finished talking with the Levites and preists], and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib; and when he came there, he ate no bread and drank no water, for he mourned because of the guilt of those from the captivity." [Emphasis added by me.]
He felt it so strongly. I really believe that something the Christian church needs more of are people who are willing to take what isn't theirs. haha . . . not thieves, but people who realize that souls are holy to God and are willing to "carry them home" not to the physical city of Jerusalem, but the heavenly city by the same name.
Yeah . . .
That this statement could be good or bad depending on what you read into it. For example, 'the car wasn't his to take but he took it anyway.' Or in the case of Jesus, our sin wasn't His to take (meaning he hadn't sinned to cause Him to carry that burden) but He took it anyway. In this particular case Ezra is involved and it's more like the last example.
I like to read a Bible promise before I go to bed each night, it just helps to refocus my mind as I attempt (haha) to drift off to sleep—sometimes easier said than done. Last night I read this amazing verse (Job 16:20, 21) that says, "My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend."
This is what Ezra did for the people he wept for the sins that they had committed. What they did, while he wasn't part of it, rocked him to his core. He loved his nation, he was proud of his nation and the God they served, but not their sin. And the fact that they sinned—this people he loved—ripped his heart.
Chapter 10:6 says "Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God [he had just finished talking with the Levites and preists], and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib; and when he came there, he ate no bread and drank no water, for he mourned because of the guilt of those from the captivity." [Emphasis added by me.]
He felt it so strongly. I really believe that something the Christian church needs more of are people who are willing to take what isn't theirs. haha . . . not thieves, but people who realize that souls are holy to God and are willing to "carry them home" not to the physical city of Jerusalem, but the heavenly city by the same name.
Yeah . . .
I Am Holy?
Apparently. "You are holy to the LORD . . . " 8:28. This is what Ezra told the the people who were carrying the freewill offerings of silver and gold, which the king had given them, when they returned to Jerusalem.
I'm not sure why Ezra tells them this in addition to telling them that what they are carrying is holy also. But it's a neat reminder that we are holy to God. Perhaps he said this to them because he wanted them to know that, yes these articles are holy, but before God you are too. Perhaps it's because these articles, these freewill offerings, wouldn't mean anything without the person's heart also, and so the articles were a type (an example) of what was really holy and sacred to God—the people who were carrying the items.
I'm not sure why Ezra tells them this in addition to telling them that what they are carrying is holy also. But it's a neat reminder that we are holy to God. Perhaps he said this to them because he wanted them to know that, yes these articles are holy, but before God you are too. Perhaps it's because these articles, these freewill offerings, wouldn't mean anything without the person's heart also, and so the articles were a type (an example) of what was really holy and sacred to God—the people who were carrying the items.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
"He Answered Our Prayer"
I finished Ezra up last night by reading the last three chapters in one sitting. It was nice to read them through without waiting a day. I feel like I got to know Ezra better . . . mainly because he was actually in these three chapters! haha. ; )
So, like a said, I'm going to focus on one or two things that made a difference to me or impacted the way I think. (I'll still blog the different chapters separately, however.)
There is a section of chapter eight, right in the middle, where Ezra has the people fast and pray. Essentially they are humbling themselves before God and asking for his protection as they journey from Babylon to Jerusalem.
Ezra had the people diligently seeking God for protection because he knew they would need it during the 4 month journey back. He and the people had also boldly told the king, "The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him." And now he felt too ashamed to ask the king for an escort of soldiers as they traveled back. I mean, yeah, I probably would be too. 'Oh, King, our God is big enough to protect us . . . but you know, uh, could we ask you for . . .' Yeah, that just wouldn't fly.
So, what do the people do? They put their trust where their mouth was and humbly asked God to provide the safety they needed. And you know what, "He answered our prayer" 8:23b.
That isn't to say they didn't run into the enemy on the way back. They were almost ambushed on the trip home but read this, "He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambush along the road" 8:31b.
So, here's the old cliche that we probably all know: God may not remove the trouble but He will be there as we go through it. We just gotta trust. Oh, how that's so hard at times. But perhaps if we humbled ourselves more before God, it would become easier.
Or, like a young couple I know of (I went to school with their younger siblings), they knew that to stay strong in God they needed to be in a position where they had to rely on Him 24/7 for their very life. He put them in that position, and they are strong as ever. And . . . more in love than ever before! ; ) Hey, trusting God has it's perks. haha.
To hear their story, click here.
So, like a said, I'm going to focus on one or two things that made a difference to me or impacted the way I think. (I'll still blog the different chapters separately, however.)
There is a section of chapter eight, right in the middle, where Ezra has the people fast and pray. Essentially they are humbling themselves before God and asking for his protection as they journey from Babylon to Jerusalem.
Ezra had the people diligently seeking God for protection because he knew they would need it during the 4 month journey back. He and the people had also boldly told the king, "The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him." And now he felt too ashamed to ask the king for an escort of soldiers as they traveled back. I mean, yeah, I probably would be too. 'Oh, King, our God is big enough to protect us . . . but you know, uh, could we ask you for . . .' Yeah, that just wouldn't fly.
So, what do the people do? They put their trust where their mouth was and humbly asked God to provide the safety they needed. And you know what, "He answered our prayer" 8:23b.
That isn't to say they didn't run into the enemy on the way back. They were almost ambushed on the trip home but read this, "He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambush along the road" 8:31b.
So, here's the old cliche that we probably all know: God may not remove the trouble but He will be there as we go through it. We just gotta trust. Oh, how that's so hard at times. But perhaps if we humbled ourselves more before God, it would become easier.
Or, like a young couple I know of (I went to school with their younger siblings), they knew that to stay strong in God they needed to be in a position where they had to rely on Him 24/7 for their very life. He put them in that position, and they are strong as ever. And . . . more in love than ever before! ; ) Hey, trusting God has it's perks. haha.
To hear their story, click here.
-ITEM OF BUSINESS-
The blog style is going to change a bit. I'm not sure about all the logistics yet but I'm going to stop recapping the entire chapter because I think that's just plain boring to read. haha. Instead I'm going to focus on sharing one or two points that were meaningful to me and why.
###
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Friday, May 27, 2011
FINALLY!!!
Ezra FINALLY shows up. Even my Bible titled the first section of chapter 7 "The Arrival of Ezra." haha.
But most of the chapter was a letter from King Artaxerxes. Ezra had two paragraphs at the end which he wrote—in the personal journal style that I loved about Nehemiah no less! ; )
I was again so impressed by how God worked through the king who was over the Israelite's (Artaxerxes) to provide pretty much all of their needs.
I was thinking, These kings are pagan worshipers, full of themselves, yet they are giving so much and in the name of the God of heaven!
On top of that, there is a certain sense of respect in their words about this.
They were taking this seriously!
Seeing the pagan kings respond in this way give new meaning to the promise (and I really like how the New Living Translation says it), "The LORD Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm" Exodus 14:14.
Artaxerxes allowed anyone who wanted to return to Israel to go with Ezra. (So tomorrow I get to read unfamiliar Bible names again! haha. ; )
However, unlike Sheshbazzar and Zerubbabel before him and Nehemiah after him, Ezra wasn't going to do any sort of rebuilding, he was returning to teach the people the Law of God—how they should live their lives. In the king's letter to him, Artaxerxes actually commanded Ezra to teach the law even to those who didn't know it. This may seem like a no-brainer but I was impressed simply because Artaxerxes wasn't just including the Israelite's in that category but also the people who lived within the communities who had tattled on the Israelite's. So basically, Ezra was given a command to evangelize other nations under the command of King Artaxerxes (or at least that's how I understand it).
The King also commanded (and I love this part), "Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it diligently [there's that word again!!] be done for the house of the God of heaven" 7:23a.
Artaxerxes sent Ezra with money and a bit of a budget to buy things needed for the temple. Whatever else was needed, he commanded the regions beyond the river to provide . . . diligently!
What I love about this chapter and the last chapter is the no nonsense seriousness of this king. These were people he ruled! Who were they but his servants? Yet who was he but a creation made by God. Reading these two books (and especially Ezra) shows how God works above and beyond where our reasoning stops. I mean, who would have thought that the king would side with the Israelite's with all their different beliefs and oddities. I certainly didn't.
But perhaps that's the beauty in this story . . . it's learning to see life at God's level where anyone can become a blessing no matter who they are. Even the enemies were blessings because if they hadn't tattled, would the king have ever even looked at the records and discovered that a few kings back from him the Israelite's were given a command to rebuild their temple? Eh, who knows? But through that letter of complaint, God provided the means to rebuild and restore their lives on the right track.
"So I was encouraged, as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me . . ." 7:28b. —Ezra
But most of the chapter was a letter from King Artaxerxes. Ezra had two paragraphs at the end which he wrote—in the personal journal style that I loved about Nehemiah no less! ; )
I was again so impressed by how God worked through the king who was over the Israelite's (Artaxerxes) to provide pretty much all of their needs.
I was thinking, These kings are pagan worshipers, full of themselves, yet they are giving so much and in the name of the God of heaven!
On top of that, there is a certain sense of respect in their words about this.
They were taking this seriously!
Seeing the pagan kings respond in this way give new meaning to the promise (and I really like how the New Living Translation says it), "The LORD Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm" Exodus 14:14.
Artaxerxes allowed anyone who wanted to return to Israel to go with Ezra. (So tomorrow I get to read unfamiliar Bible names again! haha. ; )
However, unlike Sheshbazzar and Zerubbabel before him and Nehemiah after him, Ezra wasn't going to do any sort of rebuilding, he was returning to teach the people the Law of God—how they should live their lives. In the king's letter to him, Artaxerxes actually commanded Ezra to teach the law even to those who didn't know it. This may seem like a no-brainer but I was impressed simply because Artaxerxes wasn't just including the Israelite's in that category but also the people who lived within the communities who had tattled on the Israelite's. So basically, Ezra was given a command to evangelize other nations under the command of King Artaxerxes (or at least that's how I understand it).
The King also commanded (and I love this part), "Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it diligently [there's that word again!!] be done for the house of the God of heaven" 7:23a.
Artaxerxes sent Ezra with money and a bit of a budget to buy things needed for the temple. Whatever else was needed, he commanded the regions beyond the river to provide . . . diligently!
What I love about this chapter and the last chapter is the no nonsense seriousness of this king. These were people he ruled! Who were they but his servants? Yet who was he but a creation made by God. Reading these two books (and especially Ezra) shows how God works above and beyond where our reasoning stops. I mean, who would have thought that the king would side with the Israelite's with all their different beliefs and oddities. I certainly didn't.
But perhaps that's the beauty in this story . . . it's learning to see life at God's level where anyone can become a blessing no matter who they are. Even the enemies were blessings because if they hadn't tattled, would the king have ever even looked at the records and discovered that a few kings back from him the Israelite's were given a command to rebuild their temple? Eh, who knows? But through that letter of complaint, God provided the means to rebuild and restore their lives on the right track.
"So I was encouraged, as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me . . ." 7:28b. —Ezra
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