God's Consistent Faithfulness

Introduction

Summary Ezra 1-3

Ezra 1:1 NLT

1 In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom:

Ezra 1:4 NLT

4 Wherever this Jewish remnant is found, let their neighbors contribute toward their expenses by giving them silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock, as well as a voluntary offering for the Temple of God in Jerusalem.”

Ezra 1:1 NTV

1 En el primer año de Ciro, rey de Persia, el Señor cumplió la profecía que había dado por medio de Jeremías. Movió el corazón de Ciro a poner por escrito el siguiente edicto y enviarlo a todo el reino:

Ezra 1:4 NTV

4 En el lugar que se encuentre este remanente judío, que sus vecinos los ayuden con los gastos, dándoles plata y oro, provisiones para el viaje y animales, como también una ofrenda voluntaria para el templo de Dios en Jerusalén”».

Ezra 1-2

God fulfilled his promise to Israel of their return to Jerusalem and provided everything they needed to rebuild the temple.

Ezra 3:1 CSB

1 When the seventh month arrived, and the Israelites were in their towns, the people gathered as one in Jerusalem.

Ezra 3:3 CSB

3 They set up the altar on its foundation and offered burnt offerings for the morning and evening on it to the Lord even though they feared the surrounding peoples.

Ezra 3:8 CSB

8 In the second month of the second year after they arrived at God’s house in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jozadak, and the rest of their brothers, including the priests, the Levites, and all who had returned to Jerusalem from the captivity, began to build. They appointed the Levites who were twenty years old or more to supervise the work on the Lord’s house.

Ezra 3:1 NTV

1 A comienzos del otoño, cuando los israelitas ya se habían establecido en sus ciudades, todo el pueblo se reunió en Jerusalén con un mismo propósito.

Ezra 3:3 NTV

3 A pesar de que tenían miedo de los lugareños, reconstruyeron el altar en su sitio original. Luego, cada mañana y cada tarde, comenzaron a sacrificar ofrendas quemadas al Señor sobre el altar.

Ezra 3:8 NTV

8 La construcción del templo de Dios comenzó a mediados de la primavera, en el segundo año después de la llegada a Jerusalén. La fuerza laboral estaba formaba por todos los que habían regresado del destierro, entre ellos Zorobabel, hijo de Salatiel, Jesúa, hijo de Josadac, junto con sus hermanos sacerdotes y todos los levitas. Pusieron al frente de la reconstrucción del templo del Señor a los levitas mayores de veinte años de edad.

Although the nation of Israel was fearful, they worshipped the Lord and began the process of restoring the temple with a sense of unity and purpose.

Today we look at God’s consistent faithfulness in the midst of opposition, in the continuation of the work he set out for us and how it leads us to celebration.

In the midst of opposition (Ezra 4)

Ezra 4:1–3 CSB

1 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they approached Zerubbabel and the family heads and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we also worship your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time King Esar-haddon of Assyria brought us here.” 3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other heads of Israel’s families answered them, “You may have no part with us in building a house for our God, since we alone will build it for the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia has commanded us.”

Ezra 4:1–3 NTV

1 Cuando los enemigos de Judá y de Benjamín oyeron que los desterrados estaban reconstruyendo un templo al Señor, Dios de Israel, 2 fueron a ver a Zorobabel y a los otros líderes, y les dijeron: —Déjennos participar en la construcción junto con ustedes, porque nosotros también adoramos a su Dios. Le venimos haciendo sacrificios desde que el rey Esar-hadón, de Asiria, nos trajo a estas tierras. 3 Zorobabel, Jesúa y los otros líderes de Israel respondieron: —De ninguna manera pueden tomar parte en esta obra. Nosotros solos construiremos el templo para el Señor, Dios de Israel, tal como nos ordenó Ciro, rey de Persia.

Why did they say no to the help? (v.3)

2 Kings 17:33–34 CSB

33 They feared the Lord, but they also worshiped their own gods according to the practice of the nations from which they had been deported. 34 They are still observing the former practices to this day. None of them fear the Lord or observe the statutes and ordinances, the law and commandments that the Lord had commanded the descendants of Jacob, whom he had given the name Israel.

2 Kings 17:33–34 NTV

33 Aunque adoraban al Señor, seguían tras sus propios dioses según las costumbres religiosas de las naciones de donde provenían. 34 Todo esto sigue igual hasta el día de hoy. Ellos continúan con sus prácticas antiguas en vez de adorar verdaderamente al Señor y obedecer los decretos, las ordenanzas, las instrucciones y los mandatos que él les dio a los descendientes de Jacob, a quien le cambió el nombre por el de Israel.

Because of the Jews' denial to help they wrote a letter to the king at the time...

Ezra 4:12–13 NVI

Sepa Su Majestad que los judíos enviados por usted han llegado a Jerusalén y están reconstruyendo esa ciudad rebelde y mala. Ya están echados los cimientos. Sepa también Su Majestad que si esta gente reconstruye la ciudad y termina la muralla, sus habitantes se rebelarán y no pagarán tributos, ni impuestos ni contribución alguna, lo cual sería perjudicial para el tesoro real.

and as a result the king responded and had them halt the work…

How were the Israelites to continue to fulfill what God had set out for them to accomplish?

In the Continuation

Ezra 5:1–2 CSB

1 But when the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them, 2 Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak began to rebuild God’s house in Jerusalem. The prophets of God were with them, helping them.

Ezra 5:1–2 NTV

1 En ese tiempo, los profetas Hageo y Zacarías, hijo de Iddo, profetizaron a los judíos que estaban en Judá y en Jerusalén. Hablaron en nombre del Dios de Israel, quien estaba sobre ellos. 2 Zorobabel, hijo de Salatiel, y Jesúa, hijo de Jehosadac, respondieron y continuaron la reconstrucción del templo de Dios en Jerusalén. Los profetas de Dios estaban con ellos y los ayudaban.

Through the proclamation of God’s word to his people they reinitiated the work God had appointed to them. When met with more opposition they responded with assurance:

Ezra 5:11–12 CSB

11 This is the reply they gave us: We are the servants of the God of the heavens and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished. 12 But since our ancestors angered the God of the heavens, he handed them over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this temple and deported the people to Babylon.

Ezra 5:11–12 NTV

11 »Ellos dieron la siguiente respuesta: “Nosotros somos siervos del Dios del cielo y de la tierra, y estamos reconstruyendo el templo que, hace muchos años, edificó aquí un gran rey de Israel. 12 No obstante, debido a que nuestros antepasados hicieron enojar al Dios del cielo, él los entregó en manos de Nabucodonosor, rey de Babilonia, quien destruyó el templo y desterró al pueblo a Babilonia.

v. 17 - check your records

Ezra 6:1-15 is where they search and find the contents of what they find in the records written by King Cyrus years prior.

Essentially, the kingdom was to stay out of their way, provide for all their sacrifices and give them all the material and assistance they needed to finish the work of rebuilding the temple.

How did the Israelites react after this news?

Celebration

Ezra 6:16 CSB

16 Then the Israelites, including the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the exiles, celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy.

Ezra 6:22 CSB

22 They observed the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days with joy, because the Lord had made them joyful, having changed the Assyrian king’s attitude toward them, so that he supported them in the work on the house of the God of Israel.

Ezra 6:16 NTV

16 Luego, el pueblo de Israel, los sacerdotes, los levitas y todos los demás que habían regresado del destierro dedicaron el templo de Dios con gran alegría.

Ezra 6:22 NTV

22 Luego celebraron el Festival de los Panes sin Levadura durante siete días. Hubo mucha alegría en toda la tierra, porque el Señor había hecho que el rey de Asiria les diera su favor al ayudarlos a reconstruir el templo de Dios, el Dios de Israel.

The nation of Israel felt compelled to celebrate the faithfulness God demonstrated to continue in the midst of opposition.

Conclusion

Summary

God continued to show his consistent faithfulness to his people of Israel by supplying everything they needed. Although this came with opposition, the Israelites were able to continue the work God had set out for them to fulfill. Once the day cam to dedicate the temple, it came with great celebration.

One-Sentence Summary

God remains faithful in the midst of opposition and in the continuation of following Him. This lead Israel to celebrate his faithfulness.

Application

Our Opposition Today

When we set out to follow Jesus, deepening our relationship with him and fulfilling what he has set us out to accomplish, we cannot forget…

Ephesians 6:12 CSB

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.

Ephesians 6:12 NTV

12 Pues no luchamos contra enemigos de carne y hueso, sino contra gobernadores malignos y autoridades del mundo invisible, contra fuerzas poderosas de este mundo tenebroso y contra espíritus malignos de los lugares celestiales.

Our Continuation Today

We have been charged with continuing the building of God’s temple. Our temple, however, is different.

1 Corinthians 3:16 CSB

16 Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you?

1 Corinthians 3:16 NTV

16 ¿No se dan cuenta de que todos ustedes juntos son el templo de Dios y que el Espíritu de Dios vive en ustedes?

How do we continue building this temple?

Romans 10:14–15 CSB

14 How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.

Romans 10:14–15 NTV

14 ¿Pero cómo pueden ellos invocarlo para que los salve si no creen en él? ¿Y cómo pueden creer en él si nunca han oído de él? ¿Y cómo pueden oír de él a menos que alguien se lo diga? 15 ¿Y cómo irá alguien a contarles sin ser enviado? Por eso, las Escrituras dicen: «¡Qué hermosos son los pies de los mensajeros que traen buenas noticias!».

Yet we do not have to do this alone.

Our Celebration Today

What do we celebrate today? God has fulfilled his promise set forth from the words of Jesus.

John 15:26 CSB

26 “When the Counselor comes, the one I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—he will testify about me.

John 16:7–8 CSB

7 Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment:

John 15:26 NTV

26 »A ustedes yo les enviaré al Abogado Defensor, el Espíritu de verdad. Él vendrá del Padre y dará testimonio acerca de mí,

John 16:7–8 NTV

7 En realidad, es mejor para ustedes que me vaya porque, si no me fuera, el Abogado Defensor no vendría. En cambio, si me voy, entonces se lo enviaré a ustedes; 8 y cuando él venga, convencerá al mundo de pecado y de la justicia de Dios y del juicio que viene.

We celebrate the arrival of God’s Spirit and the birth God’s Church, the Body of Christ on Pentecost!

Acts 2:1–4 CSB

1 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 2:1–4 NTV

1 El día de Pentecostés, todos los creyentes estaban reunidos en un mismo lugar. 2 De repente, se oyó un ruido desde el cielo parecido al estruendo de un viento fuerte e impetuoso que llenó la casa donde estaban sentados. 3 Luego, algo parecido a unas llamas o lenguas de fuego aparecieron y se posaron sobre cada uno de ellos. 4 Y todos los presentes fueron llenos del Espíritu Santo y comenzaron a hablar en otros idiomas, conforme el Espíritu Santo les daba esa capacidad.

We celebrate because even if we have spiritual opposition, God has provided his Holy Spirit so we can continue to follow him and help others follow him as well.

Do you want to be filled? Come now and ask Jesus to help you follow him through the power of Holy Spirit.