June 22, 2024

Jerusalem was ready to inhabit after repairing the wall and the temple. Jerusalem was a holy city, and most preferred to live where they would not face scrutiny for their behavior. They also didn’t want to live there because not much was happening, so it was harder to make a living there. So, to fill it with people and get the city up and running, they appointed one in every ten people to live there, with the rest living in the countryside. They needed city dwellers and country people to get Judah and Jerusalem going; both played an essential role in fulfilling everyone’s needs. The rest of Nehemiah 11 names the families living in Jerusalem and those living in the villages outside the city. 

Imagine being the one-tenth required to live in an empty city. We know it worked because Jerusalem is now a thriving metropolis, and people worldwide desire to visit and walk where Jesus walked and sit where he taught. Sometimes, God assigns us to work and dwell in places less desirable, but it’s for our good. Eventually, you will see that His hand placed you there because you will prosper spiritually and possibly even physically. The things that happen to you are not coincidences, good or bad; God can use them to train us for kingdom uses, just as he did the people assigned to live in the city of Jerusalem.

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. And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. Nehemiah 11:1-2

June 21, 2024

The Israelites that came out of the captivity committed to following God’s law by renewing their covenant with Him, and the princes, Levites, and priests sealed it. The Bible lists the names of those who signed it. Notably, Ezra’s name was missing. He was there, so I’m sure there was a valid reason, but it’s not mentioned. They also added other commitments, including not marrying their sons or daughters to the people of the land, taking them for spouses, and not buying food from vendors on the Sabbath. Those two sins caused them the most trouble. It was like starting a new church; all the essential issues had to be addressed, and the daily provisions had to be in place, including the tithe, the sacrifices, the wood for the fire on the altar, and all the other necessities for the temple to work correctly. 

The people were obligated to pour their tithes and offerings into the temple like we are to our own church. Not only the tithes and offerings, but we must commit to doing our part to help wherever necessary. It’s better to have too much help than not enough. Your preacher cannot do everything. Help him out by volunteering for weekly duties or special assignments. We all need to pitch in to help facilitate the great commission. For that reason, God gave you unique gifts and talents; make sure you use them for kingdom work.

For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God. Nehemiah 10:39

June 20, 2024

At the end of the spring feasts, the returning captives of Babylon separated themselves from strangers and began a fast, repented of their sins and the sins of their fathers. They read the book of the law, confessed their sins, and worshipped God, giving Him glory and thanking him for his mercy. They recounted the times God had delivered them from their oppressors, realizing the only way they survived was because of Him and that their captivity was brought on by their unbelief, worship of idols, and their rebellion against Him. As a sign of gratefulness, they renewed their covenant, and the princes, Levites, and priests signed and sealed it on behalf of the people.

And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it. Nehemiah 9:38

If you haven’t started a journal and begun writing down how God has blessed you, it’s high time you did. Sometimes, our memory fails us, so it’s good to have our blessings in writing so we can refer back to them when we are feeling thankful or when we are feeling down and need a reminder that God is with us and that He is merciful. Our trials are training in obedience; if you recognize that, it will make it more bearable. Write down the trial and how God delivered you; it will memorialize how great our God is. 

June 19, 2024

Ezra, now mentioned in the book of Nehemiah, brought out the book of the law to read to the men, women, and children who could understand. The people had built a platform for him to stand on so they could see him above the people. Other men were standing with him; it may have been to validate them as teachers. There were many people, so they would need other teachers to help explain what they were hearing. When he began to read, the people stood up in reverence for the word of God. If your preacher requests that you stand for the reading of the scriptures, this portion of scripture is why. As he read the law, the people became sorrowful of the sins they had committed. However, Ezra reminded them that at this time, they were to be joyful during this feast. It was the first time since Joshua that the people of Israel had celebrated the appointed feast in such solemnity. As Ezra, the priest, read the scripture, the people stood, raised their hands, and said amen and amen. Nehemiah and the others taught the people that day. 

On the second day they read in the law that they were to dwell in booths, so the people gathered branches and other material to build temporary dwellings in the street, on roofs, and anywhere they could find a spot. They read the book of the law everyday for seven days. On the last day they had a solemn assembly. 

I have yet to understand why we, as Christians, are not taught to keep God’s holy feasts. It would be better for us to erase all the other holidays and begin celebrating what God has designed for us. I believe our blessings would multiply, and our understanding of their point would increase. Jesus kept them. Adopted children follow the traditions of the family. Because we believe in Jesus, we are grafted into the family, adopted, and should, therefore, do as our family does. We are missing a blessing. How do we start? It may need to begin individually. Pay attention to the seasons and the holy feast. At the very least, acknowledge them to glorify God. How do you know when they are? Follow a Messianic Jewish calendar. 

Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner. Nehemiah 8:18

June 18, 2024

The wall around Jerusalem was finished, and the gates were set in place. God put it in Nehemiah's heart to check the genealogy of the people returning from Babylon. They must have needed proof because some of them were put out of the priesthood and not allowed to eat the holy things until a priest was appointed with the Urim and Thummim. Chapter seven of Nehemiah is quite long because he lists the families that returned to Jerusalem. However, there was an interesting verse that shouldn't be dismissed: 

And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein, Nehemiah 7:5

Nehemiah credited God for putting it in his heart to check the people's genealogy. They needed to keep an account of the lineage because they were still expecting the Messiah, and the records would prove He was who He said he was. Even though Jesus fulfilled the prophecy written about him and his lineage proved his deity, to this day, most of the Jewish people do not believe Jesus was the Messiah. Significantly, it was God who put the good in Nehemiah's heart. Whatever good you do, God should be given the credit and the praise for him spurring you on. Always give glory to God for the good you do because it's only because of Him that we have any good in us at all. 

June 17, 2024

Today's message in Nehemiah was timely for me. My posts have been throttled lately, and it's very discouraging when it seems that no one is reading them. I expect that it's because of their similarities to the issues of the United States. Without fear, I post them anyway. The encouragement was to keep going. 

Nehemiah was finished with the wall but hadn't hung the gates. Sanballat and the rest of Judah's enemies noticed how quickly they had shored up the wall, so they sought to stop the work by trying to call Nehemiah away and accusing him of trying to become king. Sanballat sent him several letters speaking kindly to him, trying to resolve the matter of his accusation, even going as far as to have an old prophet talk to him to encourage a meeting in the temple. Nehemiah used his discernment, knew it was wrong, and didn't fall for the lies but kept working. They finished the wall in fifty-two days! 

When God assigns you a task, cast aside fear and push through the negativity sown by the enemy. Remember, if you're not facing some form of challenge, you might not be making a significant impact. So, fear not, but persist in your God-given mission; He will pave the way even when it feels like you're treading water. Above all, remain obedient and work for the glory of God; He's the sole authority and will supply the strength for you to persevere in your service to Him. 

And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me. Nehemiah 6:12-13

June 16, 2024

Though we are not quite the same as Judah and Jerusalem back in the day of Nehemiah, there are still some similarities. Nehemiah was rebuilding the wall to protect Jerusalem. Similarly, the American people want a wall to protect the United States from the invasion of foreign adversaries. Not only that, but our government has allowed inflation to rise, causing hardship for the average American, who are mortgaging their homes and borrowing money just to be able to eat; that was also happening in Nehemiah’s day. He was a good governor and became angry at the plight of his people, who were crying out because of the oppression by their fellow Israelites, who were taking the land and using the children as servants as repayment for food. He encouraged the oppressors to forgive the debt, and they agreed. Their oppression may have been punishment because they neglected to tithe to the temple, as mentioned in Haggai and Malachi. Some of what was happening to them was probably because of greed, but it could also be because they neglected to pay their dues to God. Does God hold us accountable if we do not help build up the church by paying our tithe? I believe He does because I can testify that when our tithes were supposed to be taken out monthly by the church, there was a glitch in the automatic system, and things began to go wrong without my knowledge, which affected us financially. Once we figured it out and caught up on our tithe, it plugged the financial hole. We have a healthy fear that keeps us giving to the church; it benefits the church and us. 

Never think that God doesn’t see what you do and what you fail to do. However, God gives back to you more than you can ever give to Him; you can count on it. You can never out-give God.

Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise. Nehemiah 5:12

June 15, 2024

If we have learned anything through reading God’s word, it’s that we must contend with the enemy of our salvation. The work of the Lord must go on. Nehemiah and the workers repairing the gates and the walls around Jerusalem had to contend with the evil Sanballat and his friends. They jeered at them while they worked and conspired to fight them. So Nehemiah set people on the high parts of the wall; others hid behind it, and some covered the low places, all carrying a weapon, either a sword, spear, or bow. Nehemiah had a trumpeter with him, and if the enemy approached, he would blow it and call everyone to him so they could fight them off together. He reminded them that God was with them and that the fight would be worthwhile for their brethren, sons, daughters, and wives. They resumed the work with a weapon in one hand and a tool in the other.

They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every onewith one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. Nehemiah 4:17

Our daily lives consist of the same thing. We must constantly contend with the enemy and his schemes against us with the Sword of the Spirit in one hand and the tools for our work in the other. When our fellow laborers for the cause call on us for help in the fight, we must react by pitching in, whether by prayer or physical action. We are together in this fight against the enemy, and bringing others to salvation through Jesus is our cause. 

June 14, 2024

The Israelites worked together but separately on the wall and the gates for a common cause. I found it interesting that it was a community effort to secure Jerusalem. This chapter names everyone who participated and frowns on the nobles who refused to help. We must be willing to get our hands dirty, and as we see throughout this third chapter of Nehemiah, God saw and made sure most of the people doing his work were acknowledged by name. 

And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord. Nehemiah 3:5

The walls of the United States are not secure, and the immigrants pour in through our porous border. Whether they seek to undermine our security, are looking for a handout, or want a taste of our so-called freedom, the invasion seems real; at least, that's what the media wants us to think. However, we do not live in fear; God's plan will fall into place as it always has. We can count on Him to work out the details and assist us in every way possible. Stand firm, mighty warriors of God, and fear not; He is with us, and may the peace that passes all understanding rest upon you. 

June 13, 2024

King Artaxerxes called Nehemiah to bring him wine, and being the king's cupbearer, he came before him. Nehemiah's sadness for the disrepair of his city was written all over his face, and it caught the king's attention because his usual manner wasn't melancholy. Queen Esther was sitting by the king when Nehemiah brought the wine. You have to wonder if she had something to do with Nehemiah being called before the king since no one was allowed to approach him without being called. My guess is she did because she was very aware of the condition of Jerusalem, and she stayed in touch with the goings-on of her people. The king was sympathetic to his countenance and asked him why he was sad. He explained that he was concerned for his city and its deplorable condition. The king gave him leave to go home and supervise the repairs but wanted him to come back to continue his work for him. He considered a timeframe but also asked for the king's help with letters showing he was allowed to pass through the region and work on the wall of Jerusalem. 

When he got to Jerusalem, he covertly assessed the damage and made a plan. He did it under the cover of darkness to avoid unnecessary questions and interactions. Sanballat had already approached him when he came into the city. He showed him the letters from the king. He questioned him again, and Nehemiah told him it was none of his business and that God was in charge of what he was doing. 

Nehemiah was fearful but honest when speaking to the king. Courage, followed by action when inspired by the Holy Spirit, sets us apart from the average person who lives day by day without a purpose. Jesus gave us a purpose, gifts, and talents to help us pursue His plan. If you don't know what that is, pray, begin reading your Bible daily with a set plan, and you will find your purpose recorded in scripture. I'll give you a hint: your purpose will have something to do with the great commission, but it may look different from others because of our various giftings. 

Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. Nehemiah 2:18

June 12, 2024

Nehemiah was a cupbearer for King Artaxerxes. For some reason, he decided to continue working in the palace when the people of Judah were released from captivity to go back home. However, their welfare was always at the forefront of his mind. He had received word from Hanani and some of his brethren that there was trouble back home because the walls around Jerusalem were in disrepair. The news broke his heart, and his concern for the people weighed heavy upon him. 

And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, Nehemiah 1:4

It’s not a coincidence that God placed Nehemiah in the palace of King Artaxerxes, who was giving favor to the people of God. We can be sure that the most minute detail of God’s plan will play out before our eyes. Even today, as we watch what seems to be the destruction of the world, I have no doubt that God’s plan will prevail. Nehemiah asked God’s forgiveness for the sins of his people and the sins of his family. Our prayers should always include confession to give us a clean slate when seeking God’s help. Any valiant work for God starts with prayer. The world needs us to intercede with God on their behalf, and God wants to hear from us. Pray!

O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer. Nehemiah 1:11

June 11, 2024

Ezra became aware of the sins committed by the people of Israel, having intermarried with the daughters of the land, which went against what God had told them because of their idolatry. He was so overwhelmed by grief that he plucked out the hair from his head and beard, tore his clothes, rent his mantle, and fell face down before them and asked mercy from God. 

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 astonied. Ezra 9:3

Upon realizing the gravity of their trespass against God, they who had intermarried, under the guidance of Ezra, made a solemn covenant with God. They pledged to send away their wives, a decision that must have been heart-wrenching. Ezra gathered all the people, giving them three days to comply; otherwise, they risked losing their inheritance. After gathering the people, Ezra instructed them in their decision. It took them about three months to handle their affairs and send away their wives. As a sign of their repentance, they offered a ram.

Though it looks pretty harsh, they were fearful of the wrath of God and probably didn’t want to go into captivity again, so they did what they were told. Once you’ve faced the wrath of God, you don’t want any part of it again. They were doing their best to follow God’s commands. Aren’t you grateful for your salvation through Jesus? We have nothing to fear because we are hidden within Jesus, who covers us and protects us from wrath. 

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. Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do. Ezra 10:11-12

June 10, 2024

God had released and set the captives free from Babylon, but some chose to stay. After gathering the people together and numbering them, Ezra found no Levites. He needed them for the temple services, to take possession of the silver, gold, and copper, and to bring them safely to Jerusalem, keeping an accounting of them. Ezra asked Iddo to send Levites who were of the understanding, and many came to him for different jobs in the temple. They weighed all the precious metals before leaving and would weigh them again at the temple after the journey. Once the Levites joined them, they could journey to Jerusalem, which would take about four months. Their journey was long and treacherous, with evil people waiting to overtake them. However, because Ezra boasted of God to the king, he didn’t want to ask him to help. So, as a congregation, they prayed together for God to send the protecting angels to secure them in their travels. If you boast in God, you had better show that you trust him! Ezra expected God’s intervention in their protection, and they made it to Jerusalem unscathed.

How can you expect protection in this harsh society we now live in if you are not in a congregation of believers working together as The Church? If you do not attend a Bible-believing church, please begin your search before living in society gets worse. We need one another so when there are areas of weakness, our numbers can strengthen us. That’s how the body of Christ works. Ezra knew this and made sure he had everyone needed to fulfill the temple's needs, including the Levites he was missing. There is a church that’s missing your talents and gifts. Ask God to help you, and He will guide you in the right direction. Internet church is not going to help you when things get worse. 

Then we departed from the river of 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. Ezra 8:31

Richard and I belong to Brandon Baptist Tabernacle, a church for seasoned believers, new believers, and those who’ve been saved for a while but haven’t received a healthy diet of satiating spiritual food. If you live in the Tampa, Brandon, or Plant City area, I would love for you to come sit with us in church. 

June 9, 2024

Ezra had an impressive lineage. He was a grandson of Aaron! Ezra made it a point to learn the scriptures and the law of Moses. It is said that he compiled the manuscripts to include the law, history, poetry, and the writings of the prophets, which make up the Old Testament of today. Artaxerxes sent him to Jerusalem along with other people, accessories for the temple, and money to purchase whatever might be needed for the temple service. Artaxerxes also told the treasurers throughout his kingdom to give Ezra whatever money he needed for the temple. He wanted it known that he was giving this offering to God. You can bet he learned a great lesson from Esther and Mordecai and now believed in the deity of God. Artaxerxes appointed Ezra to teach and raise others in the law of God. He made it illegal for anyone to touch the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers and made it unlawful to tax any of them. If anyone didn’t follow the law of God, they would face severe penalties. Ezra praised God for all he had done through Artaxerxes.

God’s provision is over and beyond anything we can ever expect when a righteous person, faithful in His dealings, seeks to do His will. I’m not saying there won’t be challenges; there always are because the enemy wants to devour us, but God will protect and defend His children who have set their eyes on Him alone. 

And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not. Ezra 7:25

June 8, 2024

Darius responded to the letter sent him by Tatnai by having the records searched to find the original decree by King Cyrus. It seems that he and his companions were hoping it wasn’t true that Cyrus had commanded them to rebuild the temple; they wanted to hinder the work of the children of God. However, Darius sent them a letter telling them that if they stopped them from working, they would be hung in the rafters of their house. It would be destroyed and become a dunghill. Darius believed that God would deliver the judgment and recompense. He coveted the prayers of God’s children for himself and his sons. Darius seemed to be a believer; I wonder if we will see him in Heaven. They finished the temple twenty years after the foundation was laid, then celebrated the first Passover feast by making sacrifices and worshipping God in peace. They had been keeping the feasts; however, they were in the open, and those around them would disturb their peaceful remembrance of God. They celebrated joyfully because, by this time, all the elderly who had cried previously remembering Solomon’s temple had most likely passed away. This celebration included every tribe of Israel, with Judah and Benjamin as the chiefs. 

This story shows that when God has a plan, he will use whatever means necessary and whoever he wants to carry out that plan, even unbelievers. If God will do this for Judah and the people of Israel, imagine what he will do on our behalf because of our love for Jesus. God sees the oppression of His people and has a plan to rescue us when the time is right. Wait for it; it will surely come. 

And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. Ezra 6:14

June 7, 2024

Word came from the Lord through Zechariah and Haggai to the people living in Jerusalem and Judah. This chapter of Ezra was incomplete without reading the prophetic word associated with it: Zechariah 1:1-21 and Haggai 1:1-15. The prophets spoke a word from God to the people, telling them that while they were comfortable in their homes, the temple remained unfinished. Previously, they were told to cease and desist, but now it’s been over nine years and time to get moving on rebuilding God’s house. 

The governor, Tatnai, sent a letter to Darius, the king, asking him to pull out the records to find out who told them to rebuild the temple. Tatnai explained to the king that the people of Judah had told him it was Cyrus, king of Babylon. Tatnai wanted to verify if what they said was true. 

When God instructs us to do something, we must act decisively and obey Him. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit of God. Why are you leaving it in disrepair? Are you waiting for Jesus to come in with a whip and turn over the tables? Shore up the walls and patch the roof with spiritual fruit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance; there is no law against these things. He will help you make the repairs if you stay connected to Him through prayer and hearing His directions by reading your Bible.

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. Ezra 5:5

June 6, 2024

It doesn't matter how good you are at doing the work of God; you will always face opposition. The people of Judah, who were sent back to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall and the temple, dealt with the enemy who pretended to be like them, wanting to help with the temple. They were sinister in their plan, much like we see today; they were usurpers of the Jewish belief, sullying the reputation of the genuine Jewish people, the ones who love God. Many of the Jewish people we see today are not genuinely Jewish and have continued worshipping false gods and idols, much of which is hidden from the view of the general public. It's best not to take sides in holy wars because we don't understand the truth. The enemy has a way of distorting what we see and hear through fake media. Solomon was right when he said there's nothing new under the sun. Don't get me wrong, Christians are the same; some are true believers, but others are in it for a profit. 

These fake believers sent a letter to the king of Persia, Artaxerxes, who was from Esther's timeline, telling him that the people of Judah would stop paying taxes to the king. The king replied with a cease-and-desist order until he decided whether to allow them to continue. It doesn't say this, but it makes you wonder if Haman, the villain from Esther, had something to do with these orders.  

The lesson is to be careful of what you believe to be accurate; things are not as they seem. The devil can confuse the truth and spin it to his benefit. The people inhabiting Judah and Jerusalem didn't want the actual Jewish people there. However, the captive found favor with God and the previous king, who released them from captivity. 

Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. Ezra 4:23

June 5, 2024

Shortly after becoming settled in their homes, the people gathered in Jerusalem, built an altar to the Lord, and began making sacrifices. They were fearful of the people of the land around them and sought to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord. They followed the law of Moses and kept the feast of Tabernacles in the seventh month, the new moons, and all the set feasts as was written. They began preparing for laying the temple foundation, hired masons, and ordered timber with the grant given by Cyrus. Months had passed, and they were now in their second year. All the priests and Levites twenty and up who came out of captivity gathered for the work of the temple. When the foundation was completed, the people celebrated; the priest was in their garb, the musicians played, and they sang songs to the Lord. The older men who had seen the original temple cried so loud that their cries and shouts of joy could be heard far away. 

I couldn’t help but see the comparison when coming to Christ. When we realize that Jesus is our firm foundation, we cannot help but become overjoyed at his overwhelming love and are so grateful that we sob at the notion that he loved us so much that he died to become our firm foundation and the cornerstone we continue to build upon. We were captives, but now we are free and are grateful for Jesus’s sacrifice for our lives. Worship him like he just snatched you from the fire because that’s what he did!

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. Ezra 3:13

June 4, 2024

Thousands of exiles in Babylon from Judah went back to dwell in their cities, even though after seventy years of being vacant, the homes were probably in shambles. Nevertheless, they were compelled to return to their own land. While exiled, they increased their wealth and number, so more went back home than were initially taken seventy years earlier. I have so many questions about their return. How did they know which cities belonged to their families or which homes to inhabit? Maybe it didn’t matter. I expect that most of their parents who were brought into captivity had passed away or were too feeble to make the trip home. They took a lot of stuff with them, including animals. It couldn’t have been an easy trip. Even though they faced many trials along the way, they were willing to contribute freely to rebuilding the temple. They needed to use their newfound freedom to worship God. They went to great lengths to honor Him. 

Though no one realizes it, we, the United States, are not a free people. We have always been told we are free as a way to control us; all the while, our elected officials bring down heavy regulation and the immense burden of taxation. We pay taxes on what we earn and then again on what we spend. It’s become a vicious circle. Can you build what you want on your land? Absolutely not! Can you drive your car without a license? Absolutely not! Despite our lack of absolute freedom, we can still worship God, but that could end at any time. Remember, genuine freedom comes from God and is spiritual, a renewing of our minds. If we don’t endeavor to undo the damage the enemy has caused by confusing our minds, we will never indeed be free. It’s more of a state of mind than a physical existence. Pray for God to open your mind to the truth. Nothing feels better than having your mind set free.

And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place: Ezra 2:68

June 3, 2024

I've decided to skip Chronicles except for the last few verses, as the books of First and Second Kings cover most of what is included in those books. My inclination was to jump right in and start reading Daniel to give some insight into what happened to Judah while they were in Babylon, but I decided to finish the history portion of the Bible so I could refer back to it when I began to cover the prophets. 

Now that the people of Judah were captive in Babylon, it had been empty for seventy years, as Jeremiah prophesied.

To fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfill threescore and ten years. 2 Chronicles 36:21

Here's a powerful reminder for us all: rest is essential. God will make us rest if we don't rest on our own. I don't want to know what that looks like!

Forgive me if this is too long; I'm trying to fit the pieces together in my mind. The king of Persia defeated the king of Babylon and took over the kingdom, including Judah's captives. Cyrus was a part of God's plan to release His people from captivity. One interesting note is that Nebuchadnezzar hadn't melted down all the temple vessels taken from Judah; they were left in the same condition they were found and were still useful for the temple services. Esther was a part of this captivity and was a stepping stone for such a time as this and the useful vessel to help procure the eventual release of Judah back to Jerusalem. Esther's story fits into the timeline of the book of Ezra. Cyrus called together the people of Judah to go and rebuild the temple of God; even though he didn't know God, he was compelled by the Holy Spirit to help. 

Even though the enemy may hold us captive in our minds, God will eventually procure our release through our belief in Jesus, and we will be as good as new when he begins using us as temple vessels for kingdom purposes. 

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. Ezra 1:11