Nehemiah 12:47 "And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron."
We again see a list of names. I think this chapter is retro and is a summary of the people and the events of the time.
The book of Ezra covers about 80 years and Nehemiah covers about 11 years. Nehemiah came up after Ezra (14 years)and set things in order. I do not quite get the time frame of Zerubbabel but it seems he was the strong man of the people who returned.
In reading these books we should do some remembering. Israel was redeemed out of Egypt as slaves. The wondered in the wilderness where they were taught to trust in the one true God and learned the law there. They rose to the greatest nation on earth under David and Solomon. They turned from God and worshipped idols and as a result were taken away into captivity. They were granted permission to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild it. Most of the people choose to stay in Babylon and Assyria because they prospered there. A remnant, with a heart for God, came back and did the rebuilding of Jerusalem. These books are their stories.
v27 "And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgiving and with singing with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps."
It is a flashback to the procedures set up by David to praise the LORD. The people were divided into two groups and they climbed the steps above David's house and joined at the top to dedicate the wall.
v43 "Also that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off."
The chapter places emphasis on the singers set up by David and Solomon, Asaph was chief in the old days. His descendants carry on the talent for the LORD. Looking in the book of Psalms, you will see the name of Asaph on many of the chapters.
v46 "For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God."
So to some degree we see now the shame taken away. The destroyed city of Jerusalem represented the nation Israel and the shame they bore for turning from the LORD. It is a physical sign of their spiritual revival.
Next we have the last chapter of Nehemiah.
Malachi 1:5 "And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel."
Dedication of the wall of Jerusalem.
Who will live in Jerusalem?
Showing posts with label Ezra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ezra. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Law Read and Explained Nehemiah 8
Nehemiah 8:10 "Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
On a certain day the people have gathered together as one in the street near the water gate. They have asked Ezra to read the law. Understand, these people have been in a foreign land and many have never seen Jerusalem or heard the law. The day is a sad day for them and a joyous day. They have learned that they have not been following the law and that God has shown great grace to them by not completely destroying them. Their fathers promised to follow the law and now they find out it did not happen.
v5 "And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (for he was above all the people:) and when he opened it, all the people stood up;"
They have erected a wooden pulpit for Ezra to stand on, so he was physically above them so all could see. It does not mean that he was better, just physically above them.
v8 "So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."
I think this is where we get our pulpits in our churches and in some cases the people sitting behind the preacher. Here it gives a list of those who stood with Ezra.
v9 "And Nehemiah which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep, For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law."
So the people went away comforted and came back the next day.
v14 "And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month;"
So the people willing to obey went out and stripped off branches from trees and made booths for themselves. Word was spread throughout the area.
v17 "And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel do so. An there was very great gladness."
The feast went on for seven days while they read in the book of the law.
Not only are the people returned physically to Jerusalem but they are returning spiritually to the LORD by obeying his law. It is truly a great day.
Jeshua is Joshua.
II Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
Revival in Jerusalem.
Geneology.
On a certain day the people have gathered together as one in the street near the water gate. They have asked Ezra to read the law. Understand, these people have been in a foreign land and many have never seen Jerusalem or heard the law. The day is a sad day for them and a joyous day. They have learned that they have not been following the law and that God has shown great grace to them by not completely destroying them. Their fathers promised to follow the law and now they find out it did not happen.
v5 "And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (for he was above all the people:) and when he opened it, all the people stood up;"
They have erected a wooden pulpit for Ezra to stand on, so he was physically above them so all could see. It does not mean that he was better, just physically above them.
v8 "So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."
I think this is where we get our pulpits in our churches and in some cases the people sitting behind the preacher. Here it gives a list of those who stood with Ezra.
v9 "And Nehemiah which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep, For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law."
So the people went away comforted and came back the next day.
v14 "And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month;"
So the people willing to obey went out and stripped off branches from trees and made booths for themselves. Word was spread throughout the area.
v17 "And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel do so. An there was very great gladness."
The feast went on for seven days while they read in the book of the law.
Not only are the people returned physically to Jerusalem but they are returning spiritually to the LORD by obeying his law. It is truly a great day.
Jeshua is Joshua.
II Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
Revival in Jerusalem.
Geneology.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Nehemiah Introduction
Nehemiah 1:1 "The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the Palace,"...
So begins the book of Nehemiah, a prophet, a statesman, governor, restorer, cupbearer to the king and a devout Jew.
Nehemiah followed Ezra by fourteen years according to my Scofield reference Bible. He went up to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:2 Neh 7:7) .
The book of Nehemiah is the 16th of the Old Testament. He helped Ezra reestablish the law and build the wall.
The effort to rebuild Jerusalem is marked by opposition from man of his countrymen.
Scofield gives a number of divisions of the book of Nehemiah: journey to Jerusalem, building of wall, census, revival, dedication, restoration and legal order restored.
King Artexerxes was in charge at the time and allowed Nehemiah to go to Jerusalem.
Like a true man of God, Nehemiah's efforts start with a prayer meeting.
Nehemiah 1:5-6 "And said, I beseech thee O LORD God of heaven the great and terrible God that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned." ...
There is more to the prayer and the first chapter ends with "...For I was the king's cupbearer."
Being a cupbearer was a very high position with the king. It is not mentioned here but we have all heard the stories of how the king would have someone taste his wine before he drank it to see if the wine had been poisoned. Nehemiah does not mention tasting it but I suspect it was a possibility. There were always people who wanted throne and many in history have taken the throne from a family member by less that loving means.
Jeremiah 51:53 "Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the LORD."
Nehemiah , the kings cupbearer, goes to Jerusalem.
So begins the book of Nehemiah, a prophet, a statesman, governor, restorer, cupbearer to the king and a devout Jew.
Nehemiah followed Ezra by fourteen years according to my Scofield reference Bible. He went up to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:2 Neh 7:7) .
The book of Nehemiah is the 16th of the Old Testament. He helped Ezra reestablish the law and build the wall.
The effort to rebuild Jerusalem is marked by opposition from man of his countrymen.
Scofield gives a number of divisions of the book of Nehemiah: journey to Jerusalem, building of wall, census, revival, dedication, restoration and legal order restored.
King Artexerxes was in charge at the time and allowed Nehemiah to go to Jerusalem.
Like a true man of God, Nehemiah's efforts start with a prayer meeting.
Nehemiah 1:5-6 "And said, I beseech thee O LORD God of heaven the great and terrible God that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned." ...
There is more to the prayer and the first chapter ends with "...For I was the king's cupbearer."
Being a cupbearer was a very high position with the king. It is not mentioned here but we have all heard the stories of how the king would have someone taste his wine before he drank it to see if the wine had been poisoned. Nehemiah does not mention tasting it but I suspect it was a possibility. There were always people who wanted throne and many in history have taken the throne from a family member by less that loving means.
Jeremiah 51:53 "Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the LORD."
Nehemiah , the kings cupbearer, goes to Jerusalem.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Action Ezra 10
Ezra 10:10 "And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. v11 Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives."
Israel had been told not to intermingle with the people of Canaan, yet they did to the point of marrying them and having children. The problem is the people of Canaan worshipped idols. It seems to always be the case that when a wife who worships idols is involved, that the husband is swayed toward that worship. Even Solomon built some places for his wives that were not pleasing to God.
Isaiah 1:4 "Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward."
It was a day of much rain and the people sat in the streets. See 1 Samuel 12:18 . They decided the matter would take a long time to resolve so they appointed a time that the leaders would get together and speak for the people.
v19 "And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass."
I know it was tough to do that. The fact is, the LORD told them not to marry the locals before they did it. I suppose some of the wives may have come from Babylon as well. Israel was picked by the LORD to be special. They were worshippers of only one God and were given a special place to live. The LORD expected them to follow the law.
So a list is given in the last part of this chapter. We will now go on to Nehemiah. He too had a great part in building the wall of Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 2:5 "Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?"
Strange wives are put away.
Israel had been told not to intermingle with the people of Canaan, yet they did to the point of marrying them and having children. The problem is the people of Canaan worshipped idols. It seems to always be the case that when a wife who worships idols is involved, that the husband is swayed toward that worship. Even Solomon built some places for his wives that were not pleasing to God.
Isaiah 1:4 "Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward."
It was a day of much rain and the people sat in the streets. See 1 Samuel 12:18 . They decided the matter would take a long time to resolve so they appointed a time that the leaders would get together and speak for the people.
v19 "And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass."
I know it was tough to do that. The fact is, the LORD told them not to marry the locals before they did it. I suppose some of the wives may have come from Babylon as well. Israel was picked by the LORD to be special. They were worshippers of only one God and were given a special place to live. The LORD expected them to follow the law.
So a list is given in the last part of this chapter. We will now go on to Nehemiah. He too had a great part in building the wall of Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 2:5 "Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?"
Strange wives are put away.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Confession Ezra 9
Ezra 9:8 "And now for a little space grace hath been showed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage."
Just a note. A nail was a very important object in these times. It was used, of course, to hold things together like wood. But even in my child hood, a nail was important to hang things on. We did not have fancy clothes racks and such, we'd drive in some nails in a row and hang our clothes there. Sure they got wrinkled but the cows, pigs and chickens didn't care.
The most important part of this verse to me, is 'a little space, grace' . Without grace we would all be in trouble.
v3 "And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonished."
Ezra has made the journey to Jerusalem but now has found out that the people had married people of the land which was expressly forbidden under the law. His word astonished, is a good description of how he felt. He then confesses the sin to God and wonders how God can show grace and mercy to such a people.
v6 "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."
There is a time, for a Christian, when we come face to face with our sin. It is when we are under, what is called, conviction. The Holy Spirit of God reveals to us our lost state. We know then that nothing we can do will bring us into reconciliation with God. We are altogether sinful. That is when we realize that Jesus is the only answer. He made the ultimate sacrifice for sin and was himself sinless, so he could represent, take our place, in the debt we owed for sin. That is why Ezra mentions 'grace' (unmerited favor). He realized it was not anything good they had done that they were brought back to Jerusalem but wholly because of God's grace.
The state of Jerusalem represented the spiritual state of Israel.
Nehemiah 2:17 "Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire; come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach."
Ezra 9:15 "O LORD God of Israel, thou are righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses; for we cannot stand before thee because of this."
Thank God for Grace. Refer to New Testament: Romans, Hebrews and others.
Ezra acknowledges the sin of the people.
Just a note. A nail was a very important object in these times. It was used, of course, to hold things together like wood. But even in my child hood, a nail was important to hang things on. We did not have fancy clothes racks and such, we'd drive in some nails in a row and hang our clothes there. Sure they got wrinkled but the cows, pigs and chickens didn't care.
The most important part of this verse to me, is 'a little space, grace' . Without grace we would all be in trouble.
v3 "And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonished."
Ezra has made the journey to Jerusalem but now has found out that the people had married people of the land which was expressly forbidden under the law. His word astonished, is a good description of how he felt. He then confesses the sin to God and wonders how God can show grace and mercy to such a people.
v6 "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."
There is a time, for a Christian, when we come face to face with our sin. It is when we are under, what is called, conviction. The Holy Spirit of God reveals to us our lost state. We know then that nothing we can do will bring us into reconciliation with God. We are altogether sinful. That is when we realize that Jesus is the only answer. He made the ultimate sacrifice for sin and was himself sinless, so he could represent, take our place, in the debt we owed for sin. That is why Ezra mentions 'grace' (unmerited favor). He realized it was not anything good they had done that they were brought back to Jerusalem but wholly because of God's grace.
The state of Jerusalem represented the spiritual state of Israel.
Nehemiah 2:17 "Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire; come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach."
Ezra 9:15 "O LORD God of Israel, thou are righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses; for we cannot stand before thee because of this."
Thank God for Grace. Refer to New Testament: Romans, Hebrews and others.
Ezra acknowledges the sin of the people.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Down by the River Ezra 8
Ezra 8:15 "And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the people and the priests and found there none of the sons of Levi."
Ezra is setting off on his journey with Artaxerxes', the king, approval. He is gathering those he will take with him and found that there were no Levi's among them. They needed the Levi's to offer sacrifices and do service in the house of the LORD as prescribed by Moses.
v17 "And I sent the with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia and I told them what they should say unto Iddo and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God."
I am not sure who Iddo was but he had a lot of pull in the neighborhood. So did Ezra.
v18 "And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding..."
Also, a number of other people to minister, as Ezra requested. Once Ezra had the right people to go up to Jerusalem with him, he made the effort to prepare them and to seek the LORD. He declared a fast.
v21 "Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance."
The situation is this, they were traveling with their family and with the treasures for the house of the LORD. There were reasons for highway robbers to be interested in attacking them. Ezra separated men to take the treasure and to guard it safely to Jerusalem. Ezra did not want to ask for the kings help because he had already told the king that God would care for them.
v23 "So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was entreated of us."
v31 "Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem; and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way."
We are seeing names we remember from previous studies i.e. Eleazar, Phinehas.
Included in this chapter is the genealogy of those who went up to Jerusalem and the amount of the sacrifices made: i.e. 96 rams, 77 lambs, etc. It was a big event.
Zechariah 4:6 "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."
Ezra gathers his company to go to Jerusalem.
Ezra is setting off on his journey with Artaxerxes', the king, approval. He is gathering those he will take with him and found that there were no Levi's among them. They needed the Levi's to offer sacrifices and do service in the house of the LORD as prescribed by Moses.
v17 "And I sent the with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia and I told them what they should say unto Iddo and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God."
I am not sure who Iddo was but he had a lot of pull in the neighborhood. So did Ezra.
v18 "And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding..."
Also, a number of other people to minister, as Ezra requested. Once Ezra had the right people to go up to Jerusalem with him, he made the effort to prepare them and to seek the LORD. He declared a fast.
v21 "Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance."
The situation is this, they were traveling with their family and with the treasures for the house of the LORD. There were reasons for highway robbers to be interested in attacking them. Ezra separated men to take the treasure and to guard it safely to Jerusalem. Ezra did not want to ask for the kings help because he had already told the king that God would care for them.
v23 "So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was entreated of us."
v31 "Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem; and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way."
We are seeing names we remember from previous studies i.e. Eleazar, Phinehas.
Included in this chapter is the genealogy of those who went up to Jerusalem and the amount of the sacrifices made: i.e. 96 rams, 77 lambs, etc. It was a big event.
Zechariah 4:6 "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."
Ezra gathers his company to go to Jerusalem.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Ezra's Authority Ezra 7
v6 "This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him."
Artaxerxes, king of Persia, gave Ezra the authority to take anyone who wanted to go with him, to Jerusalem. He also had legal authority to exact judgment on anyone who hindered or did not obey his commands in building the house of the LORD. He also had authority over the treasures to be taken to Jerusalem. It was a monumental task and the LORD had put in the heart of the king to give him the monumental power to fulfill the task. Ezra traced his roots all the way back to Aaron. He also studied to know the law.
v10 "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments."
We must remember that it has been 70 years. Many of those carried away have died and their children were raised in a foreign land. They probably were not all taught the law.
Here is the blank check given to Ezra
v18 "And whatsoever shall seem good to thee and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God."
v23 "Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven; for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
Ezra does not take credit for getting all this accomplished.
v27 "Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. v28 And hath extended mercy unto me..."
Ezra was a scribe, although I have had trouble figuring out the sequence of events and kings, it seems to me that the first part of Ezra is Ezra's description of what happened, then in this chapter he starts to tell the story from a personal point-of-view. I am not sure about that though.
Zechariah 6:15 "And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts, hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God."
Ezra's authority to build the temple.
Artaxerxes, king of Persia, gave Ezra the authority to take anyone who wanted to go with him, to Jerusalem. He also had legal authority to exact judgment on anyone who hindered or did not obey his commands in building the house of the LORD. He also had authority over the treasures to be taken to Jerusalem. It was a monumental task and the LORD had put in the heart of the king to give him the monumental power to fulfill the task. Ezra traced his roots all the way back to Aaron. He also studied to know the law.
v10 "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments."
We must remember that it has been 70 years. Many of those carried away have died and their children were raised in a foreign land. They probably were not all taught the law.
Here is the blank check given to Ezra
v18 "And whatsoever shall seem good to thee and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God."
v23 "Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven; for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
Ezra does not take credit for getting all this accomplished.
v27 "Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. v28 And hath extended mercy unto me..."
Ezra was a scribe, although I have had trouble figuring out the sequence of events and kings, it seems to me that the first part of Ezra is Ezra's description of what happened, then in this chapter he starts to tell the story from a personal point-of-view. I am not sure about that though.
Zechariah 6:15 "And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts, hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God."
Ezra's authority to build the temple.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Decree to Build Ezra 6
Ezra 6:1 "Then Darius the king made a decree and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon."
This search was made in response to the letter where the counselors complained that the building had started again and also to see if there was an order from Cyrus as the Jews said.
It resulted in finding the roll giving the order. That was one decree. The other decree, the main one came from the LORD of hosts and we have touched on it in the books of Haggai and Zechariah.
The house of the LORD was to have an amazing foundation as described in King Cyrus' decree. v3-4 "In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits; With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber; and let the expenses be given out of the king's house;"
A cubit is about 18 inches or actually 18 inches. So you would add 1/2 foot to each number making the foundation 90 feet high and 90 feet wide. That is a strong foundation. The church is built on such a foundation where Jesus is the chief cornerstone.
Not only did the governors have to let the Jews build the temple but they had to pay their expenses while they did so. (I wonder if those lawyers got fired.)
v8 "Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered."
Just one more thing. To enforce these two decrees, the king placed a penalty of death on anyone who tried to stop the building.
v11 "Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon, and let his house be made a dunghill for this."
So the building went forward unhindered and the elders setup the sacrifices and people in their proper offices.
v15 "And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king,"
So once the legal matter was settled, it took about 4 years to finished the house of God.
Zechariah 2:10 "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for lo I come and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD."
Temple rebuilding is finished.
This search was made in response to the letter where the counselors complained that the building had started again and also to see if there was an order from Cyrus as the Jews said.
It resulted in finding the roll giving the order. That was one decree. The other decree, the main one came from the LORD of hosts and we have touched on it in the books of Haggai and Zechariah.
The house of the LORD was to have an amazing foundation as described in King Cyrus' decree. v3-4 "In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits; With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber; and let the expenses be given out of the king's house;"
A cubit is about 18 inches or actually 18 inches. So you would add 1/2 foot to each number making the foundation 90 feet high and 90 feet wide. That is a strong foundation. The church is built on such a foundation where Jesus is the chief cornerstone.
Not only did the governors have to let the Jews build the temple but they had to pay their expenses while they did so. (I wonder if those lawyers got fired.)
v8 "Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered."
Just one more thing. To enforce these two decrees, the king placed a penalty of death on anyone who tried to stop the building.
v11 "Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon, and let his house be made a dunghill for this."
So the building went forward unhindered and the elders setup the sacrifices and people in their proper offices.
v15 "And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king,"
So once the legal matter was settled, it took about 4 years to finished the house of God.
Zechariah 2:10 "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for lo I come and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD."
Temple rebuilding is finished.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Genealogy Ezra 2
Ezra 2:1 "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, everyone unto his city;"
This chapter is primarily a listing of those who went to Judah out of the captivity. It list families, Levites, singers, porters and so on.
It is important to have these records because the land to be reclaimed must have evidence from those claiming it. Certain areas were given to certain families. Some were not authenticated and so this is said of them.
"v61 and 62 "And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai, the Gileadite, and was called after their name; 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."
This was like another exodus with so many people heading out for Judah. Look at the numbers.
v64 "The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and three score, v65 Besides their servants and their maids of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women."
Add to these people their animals and it is a great company. They went first to their cities, I suppose to put up their stuff and dust the furniture.
God said he would bring them back and he is doing so.
Exodus 30:4-5 "If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee: And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou salt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers."
Returning from the captivity.
This chapter is primarily a listing of those who went to Judah out of the captivity. It list families, Levites, singers, porters and so on.
It is important to have these records because the land to be reclaimed must have evidence from those claiming it. Certain areas were given to certain families. Some were not authenticated and so this is said of them.
"v61 and 62 "And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai, the Gileadite, and was called after their name; 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."
This was like another exodus with so many people heading out for Judah. Look at the numbers.
v64 "The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and three score, v65 Besides their servants and their maids of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women."
Add to these people their animals and it is a great company. They went first to their cities, I suppose to put up their stuff and dust the furniture.
God said he would bring them back and he is doing so.
Exodus 30:4-5 "If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee: And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou salt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers."
Returning from the captivity.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
King Cyrus Speaks Ezra 1:3
Ezra 1:3 "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."
Why would king Cyrus decide to let the Jews go back to Judah for the purpose of building the house of the LORD? Only God could do such a thing.
v2 "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."
I can only imagine the power this man held. It is obvious then as now that the worlds attention is ever focused toward Jerusalem. After all, it is where the LORD put his name.
Some wanted to stay where they were but others decided to go do the work.
v6 "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."
This captivity was not like the slavery of Egypt. These Jews were doing pretty good or else they would not have had these treasures to bestow on those who were going to Jerusalem. It was a massive amount of treasure in precious metals and livestock.
-thirty chargers of gold
-a thousand chargers of silver
-twenty-nine knives
-thirty basins of gold,
-410 basins of silver
-and other vessels
v11 "All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem."
Isaiah 44:28 "That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid."
Isaiah 45:3 "And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel."
Ezra prepares the journey back to Judah.
Why would king Cyrus decide to let the Jews go back to Judah for the purpose of building the house of the LORD? Only God could do such a thing.
v2 "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."
I can only imagine the power this man held. It is obvious then as now that the worlds attention is ever focused toward Jerusalem. After all, it is where the LORD put his name.
Some wanted to stay where they were but others decided to go do the work.
v6 "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."
This captivity was not like the slavery of Egypt. These Jews were doing pretty good or else they would not have had these treasures to bestow on those who were going to Jerusalem. It was a massive amount of treasure in precious metals and livestock.
-thirty chargers of gold
-a thousand chargers of silver
-twenty-nine knives
-thirty basins of gold,
-410 basins of silver
-and other vessels
v11 "All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem."
Isaiah 44:28 "That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid."
Isaiah 45:3 "And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel."
Ezra prepares the journey back to Judah.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Ezra - Back from Captivity Book Intro
Ezra tells of the return of the Jews from captivity. It is in two parts: 1-6 covers the return of 50,000 under Zerubbabel under the reign of Cyrus. 7-10 covers the return of the colony under Ezra. It deals with building the temple and returning the people to the law, i.e. doing away with intermarriage with none Jews.
Ezra was a priest, probably descended through Caleb. It is said he was also a scholar which would mean he knew the law.
As for the children of Israel, most stayed in the land of the captivity because they were prospering there. Those who returned were a remnant with a heart for God. Those who stayed in Babylon and Assyria did, I think, add to the treasury of those who returned to Palestine to lay the foundation for the temple.
Key Verse: I think, for me this would be the key verse of the book: Ezra 9:8 "And now for a little space grace hath been showed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage."
It is a book of relearning the law and of guilt and repentance for their sin. It goes along with the books of Nehemiah, Ester, Haggai, Zachariah, and Malachi.
So after studying the events of the kings and the return after the captivity, we will look at the other side of the events from the prophets view as it happened i.e. the warnings during the time of transgression of the nation and the people.
Ezra: return from captivity.
Ezra was a priest, probably descended through Caleb. It is said he was also a scholar which would mean he knew the law.
As for the children of Israel, most stayed in the land of the captivity because they were prospering there. Those who returned were a remnant with a heart for God. Those who stayed in Babylon and Assyria did, I think, add to the treasury of those who returned to Palestine to lay the foundation for the temple.
Key Verse: I think, for me this would be the key verse of the book: Ezra 9:8 "And now for a little space grace hath been showed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage."
It is a book of relearning the law and of guilt and repentance for their sin. It goes along with the books of Nehemiah, Ester, Haggai, Zachariah, and Malachi.
So after studying the events of the kings and the return after the captivity, we will look at the other side of the events from the prophets view as it happened i.e. the warnings during the time of transgression of the nation and the people.
Ezra: return from captivity.
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