Nehemiah 11:1 "And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities v2 And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem."
The thousands of people, the children of Israel, are back in Judah and the wall is built. Now, they decide who will live where and make arrangements that Jerusalem be occupied. The rulers stay in Jerusalem which would make it the capitol.
I'm sure most of the people were ready to claim their possessions and get to work on the fields and vineyards but as verse 2 says some stayed in Jerusalem.
v3 "Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem, but in the cities of Judah dwelt everyone in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants. See I Chronicles 9:1-3.
Nethinim: a class of persons who were employed as servants to the Levites in their ministrations in the tabernacle and in the Temple. See I Chronicles 9:2
The Zechariah in verse 4 is not the author of the Bible book by that name. His father is different. The same with Joel in v8. I expect the names are passed down and around. They are good names, I don't blame the parents for using them.
We are given the numbers of those staying in Jerusalem and what their jobs were. In verse 22-23 we find the descendants of Asaph, the singer and song writer's descendants in the number and still singing.
v23 "For it was the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day." This I believe, if I remember correctly, was David's orders that the singers do this.
v20 "And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, everyone in his inheritance."
Here we can see the importance of the scribes who kept records of the genealogy. When the remnant came back, they all knew exactly where their home was and who owned what. In many cases these were the children of those taken away into captivity, so the records were of utmost importance.
Joel 3:20-21 "But Judah shall dwell forever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion."
The people are in their possessions except those designated to live in Jerusalem.
Showing posts with label Zechariah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zechariah. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
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.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Building Resumed Ezra 5
Ezra 5:1 "Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
We will need to look at parts of these two books of the Bible to see what they said. They are located near the end of the Old Testament just before Malachi.
v2 "Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them."
At this time it seems there were four men working on the temple: Haggai, Zechariah, Zerubbabel and Jeshua (Joshua in the mentioned books).
Then came the adversaries and confronted the builders wanting to know who told them they could start building again. Remember Cyrus told them to do so, then Artaxerxes stopped them after the governors told the king that it would take away his revenue. Now Darius is on the throne and the LORD has encamped at Jerusalem to see to the building.
v5 "But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter."
The letter to Darius from the counselors of the governors included the report that building had resumed against the orders of the previous king but it also included the testimony of the elders who told how Cyrus had ordered the building of the temple. It included a challenge to the king to search the records to see whether it was true. This goes to a legal term called a precedent. It means that if it has been done in the past by law makers, it can be done again based on that action, or something like that.
v17 "Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter."
The counselors asked for a ruling from the judge, in this case the king. The answer in the next chapter is not what they were expecting and dramatically turned the tide in favor of the children of Israel.
Ezra shows us what is happening in the physical world. Behind the scenes, so to speak, there is also action which we have to go to the prophets to find. As example, we will look at some verses in Zechariah:
The Lord speaking: Zechariah 1:15 "And I am sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction." The LORD intended to punish his people for their sin, he used the other nation to do so, but he was not pleased when they took it on themselves to increase the punishment.
v16 "Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem."
These chapters are very interesting: We have the LORD of Hosts, two angels and a prophet talking.
Chapter 2:3 "And behold the angel that talked with me went forth and another angel went out to meet him v4 And said unto him Run, speak to this young man, saying Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein. v5 For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her."
The tide has turned away from the heathen and in favor of the builders. Of course, it was the LORD who made the difference. We will close with this verse from Chapter 3:8 "For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
Temple work resumes.
We will need to look at parts of these two books of the Bible to see what they said. They are located near the end of the Old Testament just before Malachi.
v2 "Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them."
At this time it seems there were four men working on the temple: Haggai, Zechariah, Zerubbabel and Jeshua (Joshua in the mentioned books).
Then came the adversaries and confronted the builders wanting to know who told them they could start building again. Remember Cyrus told them to do so, then Artaxerxes stopped them after the governors told the king that it would take away his revenue. Now Darius is on the throne and the LORD has encamped at Jerusalem to see to the building.
v5 "But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter."
The letter to Darius from the counselors of the governors included the report that building had resumed against the orders of the previous king but it also included the testimony of the elders who told how Cyrus had ordered the building of the temple. It included a challenge to the king to search the records to see whether it was true. This goes to a legal term called a precedent. It means that if it has been done in the past by law makers, it can be done again based on that action, or something like that.
v17 "Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter."
The counselors asked for a ruling from the judge, in this case the king. The answer in the next chapter is not what they were expecting and dramatically turned the tide in favor of the children of Israel.
Ezra shows us what is happening in the physical world. Behind the scenes, so to speak, there is also action which we have to go to the prophets to find. As example, we will look at some verses in Zechariah:
The Lord speaking: Zechariah 1:15 "And I am sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction." The LORD intended to punish his people for their sin, he used the other nation to do so, but he was not pleased when they took it on themselves to increase the punishment.
v16 "Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem."
These chapters are very interesting: We have the LORD of Hosts, two angels and a prophet talking.
Chapter 2:3 "And behold the angel that talked with me went forth and another angel went out to meet him v4 And said unto him Run, speak to this young man, saying Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein. v5 For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her."
The tide has turned away from the heathen and in favor of the builders. Of course, it was the LORD who made the difference. We will close with this verse from Chapter 3:8 "For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
Temple work resumes.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Temple Foundation Ezra 3
Ezra 3:10 "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."
Building again the temple was not just erecting any old building. The temple was where the LORD had chosen to put his name. Besides the place where offerings were made for the sins of the people, the temple symbolized the nation Israel. When the temple was torn down and Jerusalem destroyed (the walls and gates and many houses), symbolically, it was the end of the nation Israel. Now, the LORD remembers those he has scattered (because of their sin) and this is among the first steps of bringing them back. We have dealt with and will again, king Nebuchadnezzar who took the children of Israel away into captivity. Cyrus who ordered the rebuilding, Artaxeres and Darius. It was not a small thing for a band of Jews to go back into Israel and began laying the foundation of the temple amidst those who were having a good time reaping profits from the land.
v3 "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."
There were some prominent men who led the building. Jeshua, Zerubbabel, Kadmiel and no doubt others. But note is made that these men stood up. Then they got the building started.
So the foundation was laid and they rejoiced with song and shouts of joy. There were some very old men there who remembered the glory of the original temple. They had different feelings:
v12 "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."
So there was a mixed reaction but overall, the shout of joy made it impossible to distinguish the sounds of sadness. We cannot always wait for past glory before we rejoice, things seldom are like they use to be.
v13 "So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off."
That noise heard afar off will bring them trouble in the next chapter.
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."
Temple foundation is laid after the return from captivity.
Building again the temple was not just erecting any old building. The temple was where the LORD had chosen to put his name. Besides the place where offerings were made for the sins of the people, the temple symbolized the nation Israel. When the temple was torn down and Jerusalem destroyed (the walls and gates and many houses), symbolically, it was the end of the nation Israel. Now, the LORD remembers those he has scattered (because of their sin) and this is among the first steps of bringing them back. We have dealt with and will again, king Nebuchadnezzar who took the children of Israel away into captivity. Cyrus who ordered the rebuilding, Artaxeres and Darius. It was not a small thing for a band of Jews to go back into Israel and began laying the foundation of the temple amidst those who were having a good time reaping profits from the land.
v3 "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."
There were some prominent men who led the building. Jeshua, Zerubbabel, Kadmiel and no doubt others. But note is made that these men stood up. Then they got the building started.
So the foundation was laid and they rejoiced with song and shouts of joy. There were some very old men there who remembered the glory of the original temple. They had different feelings:
v12 "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."
So there was a mixed reaction but overall, the shout of joy made it impossible to distinguish the sounds of sadness. We cannot always wait for past glory before we rejoice, things seldom are like they use to be.
v13 "So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off."
That noise heard afar off will bring them trouble in the next chapter.
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."
Temple foundation is laid after the return from captivity.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Joash Repairs Temple II Chronicles 24
II Chronicles 24:2 and 4 "And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest. And it came to pass after this that Joash was minded to repair the house of the LORD."
The sons of Athaliah v7 have ransacked the House of the LORD. It is in bad need of repair. First Joash puts the matter in the hands of the Levites to collect from the people and do the repairs but that did not work well v6 so they put a chest in the House of the LORD for donations. This money was counted and went directly to the workers who returned the unused portion.
v15 "But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died. v16 And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house."
Jehoiada is one of the least talked about characters in the Bible who served the LORD well. Perhaps is is because his name is difficult to pronounce. His name is appropriate for it means 'whom Jehovah knows'. II Kings 11:4,9,15.17 He rescued Joash at the peril of his own life when Athaliah took over the kingdom.
Joash was a good king so long as Jehoiada lived. He then turned against God. It seems Joash had no heart for the LORD but relied on Jehoiada for his spiritual well-being. It is a caution to us that we must have a personal relationship of our own with the LORD. We are not so right with the LORD just because we are under the shadow of a powerful spiritual leader. We must know the Savior for ourselves.
v17 "Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. v18 And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers and served groves and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass." See Deut 16:21 Judges 3:7.
A prophet was sent to them to tell them of their sin but they stoned him bringing to mind a statement in the New Testament where the people were told that they had stoned the prophets. Acts 7:52 when Stephen was stoned.
Zechariah the son of Jehoiada. v21 "And they conspired against him and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD."
Syria brought a small band and attacked and defeated Judah as a judgment from God. They carried away the treasures back to Damascus.
Joash died a diseased man at the hand of the servants of Jehoiada. He turned away from the LORD to worship idols. II Kings 12:19-21 also.
Psalm 36:1 "The transgression of the wicked saith, within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes."
Joash turns away from the LORD. Jehoiada dies at 130 years old.
The sons of Athaliah v7 have ransacked the House of the LORD. It is in bad need of repair. First Joash puts the matter in the hands of the Levites to collect from the people and do the repairs but that did not work well v6 so they put a chest in the House of the LORD for donations. This money was counted and went directly to the workers who returned the unused portion.
v15 "But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died. v16 And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house."
Jehoiada is one of the least talked about characters in the Bible who served the LORD well. Perhaps is is because his name is difficult to pronounce. His name is appropriate for it means 'whom Jehovah knows'. II Kings 11:4,9,15.17 He rescued Joash at the peril of his own life when Athaliah took over the kingdom.
Joash was a good king so long as Jehoiada lived. He then turned against God. It seems Joash had no heart for the LORD but relied on Jehoiada for his spiritual well-being. It is a caution to us that we must have a personal relationship of our own with the LORD. We are not so right with the LORD just because we are under the shadow of a powerful spiritual leader. We must know the Savior for ourselves.
v17 "Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. v18 And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers and served groves and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass." See Deut 16:21 Judges 3:7.
A prophet was sent to them to tell them of their sin but they stoned him bringing to mind a statement in the New Testament where the people were told that they had stoned the prophets. Acts 7:52 when Stephen was stoned.
Zechariah the son of Jehoiada. v21 "And they conspired against him and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD."
Syria brought a small band and attacked and defeated Judah as a judgment from God. They carried away the treasures back to Damascus.
Joash died a diseased man at the hand of the servants of Jehoiada. He turned away from the LORD to worship idols. II Kings 12:19-21 also.
Psalm 36:1 "The transgression of the wicked saith, within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes."
Joash turns away from the LORD. Jehoiada dies at 130 years old.
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