Restoration Resumed
Rubble to Restoration: A Study in Ezra and Nehemiah • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction:
Introduction:
While my generation is by no means perfect, it isn’t only the millennials that are not dependable. Dependable people are difficult to find. Ponder all of the individuals who miss work without justifiable reasons. Think of the unfinished projects, absences in schools, broken promises, marriage commitments shattered. Think about all the personal decisions or resolutions that have been made but soon ignored or forgotten. If we are honest we probably have at some point proved to be undependable.
Dependable means: to follow through, those who are trustworthy and faithful, truthful and honest. Dependable people are a rarity, and something we should be striving towards.
Undependable is something that can never be said of God. He is faithful and truthful. He keeps His Word, every promise He has ever made. God is perfectly dependable and reliable. He can be trusted to do exactly what He says. This is the practical subject of what we are going to be studying this morning. This morning I want to look at four pictures of God’s —speaking of His steadfastness and reliability.
For ever a decade the construction work on the temple had been postponed. A sense of failure and disappointment was bound to hurt the hearts of the true believers as they walked past the temple site. The unfinished project was a constant reminder that they had failed to carry out the command of God Almighty to rebuild the temple.
But… once again the Lord Himself stepped forward and proved to be faithful. True to His promises, God provided exactly what was needed to stir the people and to arouse their spirits. He stirred them to once again undertake the construction of the temple.
vv. 1-2) A new beginning
vv. 1-2) A new beginning
For the Jews they were finally able to finish building the temple of God. But this was only able to happen after God’s prophets spurred the people on. For decade or more the returnees had stopped their work on the temple because of the persecution from their neighbors. Remember last week, the neighbor’s harassment had led the king to issue a work-stop order on the temple and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
But now it was time to start building again. However, a serious problem existed: the Jewish returnees were discouraged, disheartened that they had walked away from the building project.
To meet this need, the Lord raised up two prophets to stir the people. These prophets are Haggai and Zechariah, and God charged them to stir the people to make a renewed commitment to rebuild the temple.
1 In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying,
1 In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
Haggai delivered his message between August and December 520 B.C. and Zechariah between October and February 519 B.C.
Through the years the returned exiles had slipped away from the Lord, forgetting God’s commandments and His charge to rebuild the temple. Instead, they were focused upon the provisions of this world, and what I mean is, their focus was on their housing, food, clothing, productivity, the harvesting of crops, and earning more money.
3 Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, 4 “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” 5 Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!
6 “You have sown much, and bring in little;
You eat, but do not have enough;
You drink, but you are not filled with drink;
You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm;
And he who earns wages,
Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”
The people desperately needed to repent, to turn back to the Lord. And Zechariah declared that if the people would repent and return to the Lord, the Lord would turn to them:
3 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.
As a result of the prophets’ preaching, the local governor Zerubbabel and the High Priest Jeshua mobilized the people to restart the construction project. While the people worked, the two prophets exhorted and encouraged them in their renewed commitment to the Lord.
Application: Throughout our lives there are times when we need to renew our commitments to God. When we feel discouraged, disappointed, defeated, depressed, or crushed by life’s hardships and problems or setbacks, there is a need for our hearts to be stirred and renewed. When we become tired, stressed, or even pressured we at times turning away from our responsibilities, and fail to fulfill our tasks.
Some of us have failed epically, sinned, back-slidden, turned away from our calling by God. There is such wonderful news… We can have a new beginning, a fresh start. If we are simply willing to turn to the Lord, He will turn to us and rekindle our heart. We can make a brand new commitment and begin afresh.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Challenge: Men you have been given a ministry and calling on your life… to be the head of your household, the priest of your home. You are to lead your family, that is a calling by God on your life. I do not want you to walk away from this message discouraged… You can do this. God has saved you and now we are to fulfill what God wants us to do!
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.
Christ laid down His life for the church we are to do the same for our wives and children. This is not an impossible feat with God, in our own strength though it won’t be possible.
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Dead men cannot live in the flesh. Men… I am not perfect. In fact far from it. I do not do this perfectly either. I do desire this, but I cannot do it on my own I need the power of God.
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
Wives in the same way your call is to:
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
You singles men and women are not exempt. All men and women, married and unmarried are to emulate Christ. Single people hear me… what could be more attractive than to be a man or woman devoted to God.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Ohana, our prayer is that our church would be zealous for the Lord. Passionately serving God with everything that we got. And this means as it states in Hebrews 10:25
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
vv. 3-17) God’s oversight and protection of His children
vv. 3-17) God’s oversight and protection of His children
As soon as the construction on the temple began again, an official investigation was initiated by the regional governor himself to find out what was going on. Most likely this was not a threatening investigation but a normal procedure followed to protect the welfare of the Persian Empire. Throughout the entire Persian Empire there were only 20 regional governors, which meant that they were powerful men holding high royal positions in the empire.
This particular royal named Tattenai ruled over the large province of Trans-Euphrates, including Syria, Palestine, and all other territory west of the Euphrates River. And this section of Scripture gives a detailed account of the investigation.
[3-5] The governor launches their investigation right after hearing about the Jewish activity in rebuilding their temple. And upon arriving in Jerusalem, the governor made two reasonable requests of the Jewish leaders. He asked for the name of the person who had authorized the rebuilding of the temple and for a complete list of the men who were working on the project.
This blows my mind, the author of Ezra (most likely Ezra the scribe) gives us great insight. Behind the scenes, the Lord was moving the heart of the governor to allow the construction to continue until he could check with King Darius.
The eye of God was watching over his people, protecting both them and their service for the Lord. The people had made a renewed commitment to the Lord and to the rebuilding of the temple. In response, the Lord had accepted their recommitment and was now moving world events so that they could continue their renewed service to Him.
[6-17] Now that report was sent by the governor to King Darius and that is what is recorded in the remaining verses of this chapter. Because we do not have the time to reread the passage in its entirety, the report can be more easily grasped by being divided into six parts.
(v.6)The governor greeted the king. Greeting were coming from him and from all the other regional officials.
(v.8) The governor informed the king that the temple of the great God was being rebuilt in the district of Judah.
(vv.9-10) The governor mentioned that he had made two demands of the Jews. Provide the name of the person(s) who authorized the project. Also, they needed to provide a list of the leaders.
(vv.11-13) The governor shared the answer that the Jews were obedient to give him those things asked for.
The returnees also made four claims that gave them the right to continue to rebuild their temple: They claimed the religious right to rebuild (v.11). They also claimed citizens rights to rebuild their ancient temple. They claimed a historical right (v.12). Lastly, they claimed the legal right (v.13) the right given to them by King Cyrus many years prior.
(vv.14-16) The governor reported the detailed explanation of the legal claim given by the Jews.
(v.17) Finally, in closing his report the governor made two request s of King Darius. He asked the king to search the royal archives to verify the Jew’s story and then send a reply to him with the king’s decision concerning the matter.
Application: God’s eyes were watching over His people, protecting them and allowing them to continue their service to the Lord. And similarly God’s eyes watch over us, those who are true believers, protecting us. No matter who we are or what our daily task may be, if we are truly following and trusting the Lord, keeping His commandments, the Lord is right there with us. He is taking care of us, protecting us from the enemies that want to destroy us.
We are not always delivered from hardships, sufferings, or persecutions though. Yet, in those moments we should be learning to draw closer to the Lord. And as we draw closer to Him, we will have peace in our hearts, we will have His guidance and His strength to conquer the trials too. Family when His peace and strength are demonstrated in our lives, the world sees a strong testimony for the Lord. Showing them the way to also having peace and strength… that is only found in Him.
5 For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in Your word.
ch. 6:1-12) God’s sovereignty
ch. 6:1-12) God’s sovereignty
[1-5] Following the suggestions of the governor, King Darius issued an order that the archives at Babylon be searched to see if the Jewish claims were accurate. Finding no such decree in Babylon, he ordered that a search be made in the summer palace at Achmetha. The decree was found in the archives there. Interestingly, King Darius discovered that the decree was given in great detail too.
Not only had King Cyrus ordered the temple to be rebuilt as a place of worship where sacrifices could be made by the Jews, but the very dimensions and materials to be used in the construction were spelled out (vv. 3-4). Cyrus had even ordered the cost to be paid by the royal treasury (v.4). Moreover, as the Jews had claimed, Cyrus had ordered the gold and silver furnishing to be returned and placed in the temple (v.5).
[6-12] Having learned that the Jewish claims were accurate, King Darius made his decision in favor of the Jews and issued immediate orders to the governor and the other region officials. His decree fully supported the Jewish claims and the decree of King Cyrus. He spelled out his orders in five straightforward commands so that they could not be misunderstood by the local officials.
(vv.6-7) He ordered the governor and his officials to stay away from Jerusalem, and not to interfere with the construction.
(v.7) He even ordered the temple to be rebuilt on its former site, the exact location it was originally.
(vv. 8-9) Like his predecessor, King Darius ordered the governor to help finance the project. Tax money from the governor’s province or region was to be used to finance the construction along with providing the animals needed for the sacrifices along with food items.
(v.10) The king states his purpose: he wanted to Jews to be able to please their God and to offer up prayers for the king and his family.
(vv.11-12) Lastly the king also decreed a severe penalty to anyone who violated his orders and opposed the rebuilding of the temple. Violators were to suffer the most sever penalty, execution. Also, the house of any person who opposed this edict of the king was to be destroyed.
Application: The decree of King Darius to rebuilt the temple is a clear picture of the sovereignty of God. God had raised up the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to stir the people. And the Lord had moved upon the hearts of the returnees, arousing them to a recommitment to resume construction.
The Lord also moved upon the heart of the governor to allow the returnees to continue to build while he check in with the king. Through the years god protected the records of King Cyrus’ decree. Through event after event the hand of God’s sovereignty can be seen.
Family the same is true with us. God loves us and promises to look after us. And God’s promises will always be fulfilled. He will move heaven and earth to fulfill His promises. It is through His sovereign, omnipotent power that all His promises will come to pass.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
18 “The Lord shall reign forever and ever.”
12 Both riches and honor come from You,
And You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great
And to give strength to all.
vv. 13-22) Joy and Celebration
vv. 13-22) Joy and Celebration
Just as Darius had ordered, the Governor and the other Persian officials worked diligently to carry out the commands of the king.
Could you imagine what the Jews experienced when they found out the decree of the king?
No doubt, a renewed vigor flooded the hearts of these returned exiles, strengthening them to work harder than ever before to complete the temple. Also God’s prophets Haggai and Zechariah continued to encourage the people, assuring them of the Lord’s presence and the fulfillment of His promises.
Then, at last, the day for which they had all longed for finally came. The temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of King Darius’ reign. March 12, 515 B.C.
The people had a special dedication service to commemorate this event. They offered 100 bulls, 200 rams, and 400 lambs. Presenting a sin offering of 12 male goats, which represented the 12 tribes of Israel.
During the dedication celebration, an installation service was held for the priest and Levites. They were organized in the various divisions and assigned their various duties. Hereafter, they would be functioning in their day-to-day activities, worshipping the Lord and ministering to the people.
About three weeks after this dedication, the Passover was celebrated. A feast that was eaten by both the returned exiles and the Jews of the land who had spiritually separated themselves. This is a wonderful indication that many of the Jews who had escaped exile by the Assyrians and Babylonians were now repenting and turning back to the Lord. Turning from their sins in order to seek the Lord and join in the fellowship with their brethren.
And that concludes the first half of Ezra and the rebuilding of the temple.
Application: Just as the returned exiles joyed and rejoiced in the Lord, so we are to joy and rejoice in Him who has loved us and given Himself for us, our Lord and Master Jesus Christ.
Joy is found in the presence of Jesus!
13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.
If we trust the Lord our sorrow will only be momentary:
5 For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.
If we bear strong witness, shedding tears over the lost, and preaching the gospel, we will reap joy:
4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
5 Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
Great joy can be drawn from the depth of salvation:
3 Therefore with joy you will draw water
From the wells of salvation.
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The believers in Christ will march to heaven with songs and everlasting joy flooding their hearts:
10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
And come to Zion with singing,
With everlasting joy on their heads.
They shall obtain joy and gladness,
And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Joy is found in the Word of God:
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
Joy is found in prayer and receiving the answer to our prayers:
24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
The kingdom of God floods our hearts with joy in the Holy Spirit:
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
We are to rejoice and to have joy in the Lord Jesus, whom we love:
8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
We can have joy and rejoice even when we go through trials and temptations:
40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” ’