God Speaks
At the End of the Exile, Cyrus Decreed That God’s Temple Be Rebuilt, Supplies Were Gathered and the Foundation Was Laid
Verse of the Day: [May God’s people in this day and age be as brave and courageous as the Israelites returning from exile.] Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they build the altar with its foundation and sacrificed brunt offerings on it to the LORD, both the morning and evening sacrifices. (Ezra 3:3 NIV 2011) [And after the foundation was laid, they held a worship celebration.] With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: “He is good; his love for Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, Because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. [Quotes as in the original.] (Ezra 3:11 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Ezra 1-3:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Ezra 1
1. The LORD God is so great that He can call a foreign king many years before he is born and guide him to fulfill God’s plan to bless His people.
2. People need to support, encourage, and obey their leaders when they are truly seeking to follow the LORD.
Ezra 2
1. Our God is a God of detail and order, keeping track of the numbers of the exiles of each tribe or people group who were returning to Israel.
2. People need to keep track of their ancestry so that they can benefit from future blessings.
Ezra 3
1. God is so good! His love for His people (those who trust and obey Him) endures forever.
2. People’s worship can be both joyful shouting and weeping mingled together.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Ezra 1-3?
O LORD God, I celebrate Your greatness. Holy Spirit, please help me to carry out the plan the LORD designed me to fulfill. Help me also to support and encourage future leaders, both men and women. May I be a good role model as I seek to fulfill my destiny of blessing other people. Thank You, LORD, that You know and care about both individuals and whole groups of people. Draw us back to You by whatever means You deem necessary. Thank You that regardless of our ancestry, we will benefit from future blessings in Heaven if we trust and obey Your plan of salvation. You are so good! Your love for Your people (those who trust and obey You) endures forever. Our worship can be both joyful shouting and weeping mingled together. May whatever we do bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Ezra 1-3? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will support, encourage, and obey the leaders God has placed in my life. (Focus on one in particular this week.)
- I will research and preserve my family history for future generations.
- I will rejoice with others over what the LORD is doing.
- I will weep over how shallow my culture’s perception of God is.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.