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 Zerubbabel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zerubbabel. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Adversaries Ezra 4
Ezra 4:1 "Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; v2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither."
That sounds good on the surface. These people were brought in to possess the land while Israel was in captivity. They were not loyal to the nation Israel but to their own purses. I do not know what their motive was for asking to help but I think it was not out of worship. When they were told they could not help, they got together with their lawyers to stop the work which tells me they were not for it in the first place.
v5 "And hired counselors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even unto the reign of Darius king of Persia."
Lawyers can sure drag things out even if they do not have a case. It just takes having the money to pay them. Now, sometimes a lawyer is good if you are going up against a lawyer. Judges like having those who can talk legal jargon. But that is a subject for another day and another place. Nevertheless, it was a hindrance for Israel in building the temple.
v7 "And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia, and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue."
The letter is full of double talk and truth mixed with untruths but the essence of it was that having the temple built would give rise to a great nation that would take away the revenue the king was getting. And also the tribute these people were getting as well.
v16 "We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river."
King Artaxerxes got the message and stopped the building. So for a time the work did not go forward but the prophecy would be fulfilled and incredibly, the people would end up getting paid to do the building. It reminds me of when Moses' mother ended up raising her son for Pharaoh's daughter, at least for a while.
Jeremiah 29:12 "Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you."
Work on temple is stopped for a time.
That sounds good on the surface. These people were brought in to possess the land while Israel was in captivity. They were not loyal to the nation Israel but to their own purses. I do not know what their motive was for asking to help but I think it was not out of worship. When they were told they could not help, they got together with their lawyers to stop the work which tells me they were not for it in the first place.
v5 "And hired counselors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even unto the reign of Darius king of Persia."
Lawyers can sure drag things out even if they do not have a case. It just takes having the money to pay them. Now, sometimes a lawyer is good if you are going up against a lawyer. Judges like having those who can talk legal jargon. But that is a subject for another day and another place. Nevertheless, it was a hindrance for Israel in building the temple.
v7 "And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia, and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue."
The letter is full of double talk and truth mixed with untruths but the essence of it was that having the temple built would give rise to a great nation that would take away the revenue the king was getting. And also the tribute these people were getting as well.
v16 "We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river."
King Artaxerxes got the message and stopped the building. So for a time the work did not go forward but the prophecy would be fulfilled and incredibly, the people would end up getting paid to do the building. It reminds me of when Moses' mother ended up raising her son for Pharaoh's daughter, at least for a while.
Jeremiah 29:12 "Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you."
Work on temple is stopped for a time.
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.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
