Ezra 3:1-7 - Worship and Devotion

It's good. Sometimes to be reminded that you're not perfect.

There's some of that we're going to find in our passage today, actually, and this, we see God's people returning coming back to establish Worship in Jerusalem. Will see that one of the first things that they were reminded of us. There was there need for forgiveness and their need for sacrifice as they established. The altar Ezra chapter number 3, and if you turn their, let's read together, I'll read aloud and you can follow along. Will read the first 7 versus this morning.

On the seventh month, came the children of Israel were in the town's the people gathered, as one man to Jerusalem, then arose, Joshua, the son of Joseph back with his fellow, priests zerubbabel, the son of shell peel with his Kinsman and they built the altar of the god of Israel, to offer, burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the law of Moses, the man of God and they set the altar in its place for fear was on them because of the peoples of the land they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord burnt offerings morning and evening. And they kept the Feast of booths as it is written and offer the daily offerings by number, according to the rule as each day required. And after that, the regular burn off the offerings at the new moon, and all the appointed feasts of the Lord, and the offerings of everyone who made a free-will offering to the Lord. From the first day of the month, a 7th month, they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, but the foundation of the temple was not yet laid. So they gave money to the Masons in the Carpenters food, and drank, and oil to the sidonians into the tyrans to bring cedar trees, from Lebanon to the sea to Joppa. According to the grant that they had from Cyrus King of Persia. Or help us. As we look at this passage this morning. As we see the, the story and the account of worship being re-established, even before the temple Foundation was built. What happens to see this? As a reminder of the importance, the absolute importance of your worship. Help us set up in our hearts and in our minds as a reminder of what is the first importance.

Or how about to be a reminder and a touchstone for us even as we prepare to to observe the Lord's Supper here in a few minutes that much. In fact, the Supreme offering was given on our behalf and how that you have brought us out. You have set us apart. And help us Lord as well, like these people to offer, then our worship in our devotion until you will pray this in Christ name, amen.

what are things you can ask, as you study the book of Ezra and we think of the story of God bringing his people out of Babylon out of captivity and back to their Homeland is a simple question. Why? Why does God bring his people back? Part. We could answer it by saying, well that he's, he's kept his promise and he did do that. So that is certainly a reason. You could say as well, it is for the simple reason that he has set his love on those people and he wants to do them well and that would be an accurate reason as well. We see that all throughout scripture But one reason I want to say the only I won't even say that the chief, but right up there, one of the primary reasons that God brings people back is for this reason, and that is to worship to worship. Go to me for a minute sasam number 67 because it is tied not directly, but very, very indirectly to the the theme of bringing people. Back for the sake of worship. All throughout the Old Testament, really even from the call of Abraham we have learned about our God, that he is a missionary God. He is not simply interested in a few people, but he has actually promised that all kinds of people from all corners of the globe, if you will, will be called out and brought out to worship him. Psalm 67 really recounts? That it is a missionary song and it also gives us again, one of the intended purposes of the primary purposes of missions that starts with a prayer, may God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us sayla. And, of course, that is a wonderful prayer in and of itself, but that prayer for graciousness and blessing comes with a reason, and very nice to give that in order that your way may be known on the Earth. And you're saving power among all nations. Let the people's praise you, a God, let all the peoples, praise you. Let the nation's be glad and sing for Joy, for you judge the people's with equity and guide the nation's upon the Earth sayla, Length of people's. Praise you. Oh God, let all the peoples. Praise You. The Earth has yielded its increase God. Our God shall bless us. God shall bless us. Let all the ends of the Earth. Fear Him. What is a reason a chief reason that God brings people out. So it is for this that they might praise him. That say Macy is wonderful ways, his saving power and that they may praise and worship Him of this team continues. And the apostles knew this as well. We read from the Apostle, Peter for instance in 1st Peter 2:9, as he speaks of God's people you and I even he says that we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his that is God's Own possession. In order that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of Darkness Into His Marvelous Light. You see that purpose statement as well their chosen set aside a people of God's possession. Why? So that we may proclaim the towel loudly of the excellencies, of the God, who brought us from Darkness into light of Jesus spoke in a very similar way, of course, when he on the sermon in The Sermon, on the Mount used to analogies, he called his people, a city on a hill and he called them, salt, salt and light a candle stick that is not to be covered. In a city on the hill, that is not to be hidden. He also called in that same teaching for us as his people to let that light shine so that others may see our good works in order to glorify Our Father in Heaven called out chosen set aside redeemed in order to praise and worship. Apostle Paul says, really the same thing in different words in the first chapter of Ephesians, He opens after his introduction with these words, blessed, be the God, and father of our Lord. Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ, with every spiritual blessing. In the Heavenly places even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before him in love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as Sons through Jesus Christ. According to the purpose of his will to the praise of his glorious Grace, which he has blessed us with, in the Beloved Oh, you could say then that a purpose Prime, purpose of redemption is worship of the true. God is praise and glory to him. And where there is worship, there is devotion. At is the title for the message today, worship and devotion. Wherever God, assembles a people there is worship and devotion. Oh, sometimes it rains. Sometimes there are seasons where it may be a bit quieter. Sometimes it goes dim as it did for the people in Babylon, but where God's people are, there is always worship and devotion. And I hope that we can see for us today that we have reason to celebrate reason to give and reason to offer our lives as a Living, Sacrifice to Our Redeemer. Is a lot to be seen in this passage, so let's get right into it. After the the numbering of the people and the naming of all the families who returned, we're told that the people make priorities. And first things first, they come back and they establish the altar, establish the altar. the seventh month came the says, the people of children of Israel, or in the towns, and they gather together as one man, They were unified in this cause they had, of course, their leaders, as a priest. They had jeshua. We looked a little bit at him last week, he had helpers as well as the leader of the work they had. At this point. The man named zaruba bell, zaruba bell. But together not just Joshua and some rubber ball. All the people as one with unity of heart and voice came together and they built the altar of God, that tells us in verse to, to offer, burnt offerings on it. As it is written in the law of Moses, the man of God, Then of course, goes back all the way to the time of the Tabernacle, or God gave very specific instructions of how to set up the place of meeting in the place of worship. At that point, it was in the wilderness but the design, really, and the effects and the, the rules of it would follow into Solomon's Temple, which he would establish, and they would follow that again, here into the temple built during this period at the time of Ezra. Now, you should know that really, there are a couple of Alters that were prescribed in the Tabernacle and then the temple. There was this alter the altar of sacrifice that was in the outer Court. It was open for really all the Jewish men to be able to see the Priestly work that went on there as they offered. Not just the daily sacrifices but also all the prescribed ones for different face or for specific sins. It's where they would offer the priest would offer their their own sacrifices for their own sin before they could go into the holy place. Now, in the Holy place was another altar. Altar was the altar of incense, We're told that the incense went up to the Lord as a sweet-smelling Aroma both morning and evening. Incense is of course a picture of prayer is a prayers for both forgiveness and blessing, rose up to God as it were in this heavenly throne. It's important to know that in that order, though, the altar of sacrifice always preceded, the altar of incense there had to be atonement made forgiveness granted before the priest could enter in, and offer up his prayer to the Lord. And in the same way we're told here, but after all of these years, the people of God, come back. There's not even a foundation blade yet for the temple. They don't even probably have fabric for walls, like they would have for the Tabernacle. before they do anything else, they establish and build this altar of sacrifice

and they offered unto God, those burnt offerings, as it was written in the law of Moses. First things first.

Of course, while they had been in Exile, they didn't have a temple. They probably did and large part keep up with their religion how they could, and when they could, but of course, their daily practices such as this had been put on pause. In fact, for many perhaps, even most of the people they had never seen a sacrifice made. On this altar. Many of these people had been born in Exile. they had simply read and heard about, Prescribed sacrifices that God had given to Moses. All those years back. Open and faithfulness. And in true priority when they returned they established this altar, This of course, is a parallel and is a picture. Of our own walk with the Lord. Just as the altar. For atonement. The Altar for forgiveness, had to be set aside had to be established first before an entering in could be made into the holy place. Even before the prayers could go up. Oh, so it is for us that there was first and alter.

At this time, it was twice a day day after day sacrifices, made a picture of blood being shed for the sins of the people. Thor, of course, told that Christ, Our sacrifice was offered up once for all time. and Hebrews chapter 10, it speaks of this idea of the altar being set up first

Author of Hebrews tells us. Therefore Brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus by the New and Living Way that he opened for us through the curtain that is through his flesh. And since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near the True Heart in full Assurance of Faith with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. OS. God, brought his people back to establish worship. They were reminded of their need of forgiveness and of atonement. And so for us, God has brought us out given us that atonement made that way, not simply through the veil and a temple. But through the veil, that is the very flesh of Jesus Christ so that we can enter in draw near with full assurance. Oh yes. Let us always get first things first. We are forgiven. We are redeemed. We are made right with God by this sacrifice. Sacrifice of Christ. What is not put that out of its rightful place just as the children of Israel with jeshua and his Priestly helpers, it was terrible before he even laid a foundation stone. They got the altar built. On fras, every time we seek the Lord, every time we think of him whenever we come to worship, whether it is here to gather corporately or whether it is a, a quiet song in our heart at home may we think, first things first, I can do this because Christ has made a way I can enter in. I can praise I can Rejoice because I have been redeemed. By the blood of the Lamb, sacrificed for me. First things first, they built the altar.

Shortly after that though, of course they alter was not without purpose, they kept going, you see, it was time to sacrifice to be made right with the Lord, but it was also time to celebrate and we read beginning and verse number for that, they very quickly. Once they got there in this seventh month, after they had all come together, they came and they celebrated the feast

that was course, it was very important that the altar be established for them to celebrate these feasts. I'm told that they were over 200 sacrifices that were prescribed in the keeping of these fees that are mentioned in Ezra chapter number 3, So again they had to get their priorities straight and so for us we must first know that Christ died for our sins and has forgiven us, but knowing that it is time to celebrate. There is a reason to rejoice. are the people of Israel had a number of Feasts all the significance in the story of God, either bringing them out or helping them in their Walk of Life as his people, The primary one that is mentioned here. And verse number for is the Feast of booths, the Feast of booths, this is often called the Feast of Tabernacles. I in Hebrew. It's it's the car. It is a feast which reminds the people of God's protection of them and is provision for them, in their wandering, in the wilderness. Who said it before but as a sorceress scuse me as the rubber bowl and jeshua and all of the rest came back to Jerusalem. This time though, this is not the first time that God has brought his people out of something. Is it a long before this? He brought them out of Egypt. and before they entered into this land for the first time there was a time of wandering A time of learning a time when the law was given when they were established as a people, I was a time of failure. The time of Saint as well, but of course, the time where forgiveness was clearly shown. And as the people wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, not only did they bring along the Tabernacle, which was a, a big tent. They also had their own tents It's all in the Feast of booths every year for 8 Days. The people would set aside that time and they would have wrecked outside of their homes, tents filled with branches and fabric like the tents in the wilderness. It would offer sacrifices prescribe for that time and they would end on the 8th day with a Sabbath rest. Reminding themselves that God had brought them from their wanderings to arrest. In the Promised Land. Oh, isn't it? Fitting then that, as they have come yet again out of wandering as it were at the very first Feast that were told that they kept was this Feast of Tabernacles, this Feast of God's provision during wondering. Oh, there is no celebration like a celebration fresh off of a victory. If you owe yourself or somebody that you know, and love as ever come through a great struggle with their health, maybe it was a battle with cancer. That was that was one for instance or if you yourself have come through a difficult season in your life for a since your marriage or a hard time with one of your children or a strenuous Financial time, you know, that there is no celebration like that fresh celebration of victory. And imagine here the joy of these people. They had heard the stories of their ancestors who had lived in those tents. But now they themselves had wandered. And could be brought back. Oh, what a celebration that is.

We can celebrate truly. And most appropriately when we understand what we've been delivered from.

Are these it was captivity exile. For us, and for them. It's a deliverance from the power of the evil one. Deliverance from the Dominion of Sin from the kingdom of darkness, from a state of being condemned. And deliverance into forgiveness, light life piece, ho. Eternal promise.

Oh yes, first things first. We remember the sacrifice made for us but brother and sister Now, it's time to celebrate. As we come together even on these worship services and we sing with joy together. It is the same heart, the truly celebrated the Deliverance that God gave to his people at this time. Is that same heart because it is the same God who has delivered us. And we can celebrate truly. On a few minutes as we pause to reflect and remember over the the body in the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We often put it this way that we are celebrating the communion or celebrating the Lord's Supper. And we should remember that. It is to be a solemn thing. But at the same time it is in fact, a celebration. Oh, no doubt. As a people, it is real pitch, their tents. They remembered back to the the difficult times. But their fathers grandfathers. Grandmothers. Had gone through. It was a solemn thing for sure. But a thing of joy. A thing which speaks to God's Deliverance in the past and also look forward to God's promise of Deliverance in the future. It was both an act of recognition and an Act of Faith. So, it's the same thing that we will celebrate today. An act of remembrance and recognition that God has delivered us. Oh but we're told that, every time we drink this cup and eat this bread, we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. So, even in that, there is a looking forward to another celebration. or we will be brought out from our Babylon as it were to the New Jerusalem. A, we can celebrate truly when we understand and know the significance of our deliverance.

So first things first established, the altar establish the sacrifices. Then they celebrated, they kept the Feast of booths, and they gave the regular burnt offerings. They kept the Feast of the new year and all the appointed feasts of the Lord. Where that would have been the Feast of eventually the Feast of Passover. Reminding them, of course of their deliverance from Egypt. Oh and how sweet would that first pass over have been after being brought again into Jerusalem? With all of this. They are reminded over and over again of the goodness of their God are reminded over and over again of his worthiness to be praised and worship. They were reminded over and over again, that there is a reason that they were there. and with that, we see their devotion because it's time to celebrate but it was also time to work Universe number 7. It says that they gave money to the Masons the Carpenters and they gave food and drink. They gave a boil to the side on Ian's of the tyrants who brought cedar trees from Lebanon. According to the grant, they had from Cyrus King of Persia. We read here and we can read it. And first number 52 that the people offered gifts, some of those of horse would have been sacrifices, but many of those would have been up either Financial, or Gifts of a valuable things to the Lord into his service and the temple. That was part of the regular work of the people. They did that on a regular basis. It was, especially part of the feasts. They were special gifts. Prescribed, during these times of Festival,

But you have to know that these gifts became especially meaningful. whereas, before they were given to the ongoing work of the Temple, Here, they are given for the very rebuilding of the Temple. You have to believe that for many of these people, a new and special value is now seen in these gifts. Before very possible that if if and when they gave they did it out of commitment. Yes. But probably have it. Probably tradition. We do the same thing. And there's nothing wrong with habit and tradition. but when there is real value established, From the gift and its purpose. Oh, there is a special kind of devotion. To see the temple rise first its foundation. And then later as will read its walls and all of its compartments and its furniture to see that, at once to remember the goodness of the Lord who have just experienced an bringing you out, to celebrate yet again, the feast and the festival's and now, to be able to give Oh, there was no problem with these people when it came time to work.

Now, we will read as the months and years went on. But that devotion that commitment started to fade a little bit. The people got used to their new living arrangements and sort of started to rub shoulders with the other people around them. All the work on the temple would take a pause. Their commitments would be a little bit more personal.

But it's good for us to see and important for us to see this initial zeal. I was thinking about that in my own wife. There are seasons in life, where are seal, our devotion, our commitment for the Lord, or established or renewed, Not for me, I became a Christian. I believe her as a little child. As 6 years old, there wasn't a long history in my life that I was delivered out of. Yep, I do remember a unique kind of zeal, even at that time.

And I also know, and have known seasons. Or that is faded.

And time and time. Again, it seems the Lord whether through trial difficulty or Gifts of his Blessing has renewed that Zeal. And with it, often Comes A Renewed devotion

I guess what I'm saying is, if you're in a low spot. Don't think it's going to last forever. Don't think it's even a surprise. If you're in the doldrums so to speak. Well, sometimes we're in the doldrums. But God can bring back a real Zeal and with it a real commitment. And much, like the people here in Ezra when he does that, don't miss that opportunity to rejoice. To be invigorated again in your face.

There is a time to celebrate. And there is a time for devotion. When God allows when he prescribes, when he gives, it is a good thing to be truly devoted to him. Oh, yes, that we would always be truly devoted to him. That is our prayer. But there are unique seasons. Special times opportunities. Maybe it's at a time in your life where you you've been allowed up an extra lot of time. Maybe it's a an extra lot of of resources maybe it's a person who is coming to your life. Perhaps it is a freedom that you didn't have before any number of things, any number of opportunities can be seen, as times for renewed, Zeal times for renewed, Devotion to the Lord. When he gives those opportunities by his grace may, we seize them. and may we pray that in that we may persevere, Are we reminded in this of the words that Matt read from Romans 12? Or Paul appeals to us as brothers and sisters by the mercies of God, to present our bodies as a Living Sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship. Oh, there is time for celebration. There is time as well for devotion and sacrifice. Not a sacrifice upon the Altar for forgiveness and atonement. But a sacrifice here of worship of laying down our lives. For the good and faithful use, and service of Our Redeemer. Yes, where God is symbols of people. There is worship and devotion the times that will Wayne And the times, it will return. We have reason to celebrate reason to give reason to offer our lives as a Living, Sacrifice to Our Redeemer.

It's time for prayer and as we, as we pray, we will prepare them to take the Lord's. Supper again, here is a reminder

We can speak of of big-picture things in our life. Big reminders, big landmarks, big seasons of change our renewal where God points out. Yet again, the reasons in the worthiness of our praise and devotion, Do we have before us today? A regular reminder. At our church here, we do it. The beginning of every month. Some do it. Last some do it every Sunday, but we have set before us this, reminder it in this cup. And in this cracker simple little things. With no intrinsic holding us and themselves. Except that we have set them apart as the elements, which picture the body in the blood of Christ. Here even today as we prepare to observe the Lord's. Supper we have a reminder that we have reason to celebrate reason to give and reason to offer our lives as a Living Sacrifice.