Overcoming Public Humiliation: Building The Temple

Overcoming Public Humiliation Building The Temple 

Ezra 3:8-11 NKJV

[8] Now in the second month of the second year of their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the rest of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all those who had come out of the captivity to Jerusalem, began work and appointed the Levites from twenty years old and above to oversee the work of the house of the Lord. [9] Then Jeshua with his sons and brothers, Kadmiel with his sons, and the sons of Judah, arose as one to oversee those working on the house of God: the sons of Henadad with their sons and their brethren the Levites. [10] When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the ordinance of David king of Israel. [11] And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.” Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.”, they sang. What a song despite the desolation. It didn't matter who looked.They had a picture ahead of them. It was going to be a place of worship. I have been here several times. Have you? As a retired university lecturer, I remember carrying new seats sitting on the back of a motorbike in the night. Ee had no other means of transportation. I was very excited, but the onlookers were like owls wondering what was going on.

    Until your vision occupies the entirety of your being, you wont be able to push aside shame to accomplish for God. To produce desired results, vision must be bold and unapologetic. It requires individuals to overcome the fear of public shame and embrace vulnerability to achieve impactful outcomes. 

    The people of Israel did just that. They appointed Priests and Levites to worship God while they worked. And they did all these because of the foundation. The surrounding nations probably wondered; " All this for just the foundation?" If you know where they came from, and how long it has taken, you will celebrate. Today, celebrate God's accomplishments in your team. " Praise the Lord, for he is good and His mercies endures forever. Amen. Good morning.

The Return Of The Elders

The Return Of The Elders 

Ezra 1:5-8 NKJV

[5] Then the heads of the fathers’ houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem. [6] And all those who were around them encouraged them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered. [7] King Cyrus also brought out the articles of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem and put in the temple of his gods; [8] and Cyrus king of Persia brought them out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah. 

   What we are about to encounter in these verses maybe described as restoration. It signifies returning something or someone to their original state or a former, positive condition, often representing God's redemptive work in individuals and nations. God didn't do it once as we will see. This was, however, the start.

   Note that the invitation to return was open, but the people who were moved were the fathers and religious leaders, and of course , some curiosity seekers. God's redemptive Work through restoration is a recurring theme through out the Word. It highlights God's desire to bring about wholeness and reconciliation as well as offer us  hope for the future. It's a promise of renewal. It is God's act of justice and mercy. 

    King Cyrus also returned all the articles of worship that Babylon had stolen. There was no temple, but they were going home. It promised to be tough, but they had to be in the center of God's will. Just imagine it...the arrival of the first elders. We had a similar experience of returning home after the civil war. The houses were broken down, but we saw pictures of today. You will go past the desolations in Jesus Name. One thing, for sure, you are free and back. Good morning.

Gedaliah Ruled For Seven Months

Gedaliah Ruled For Seven Months 

II Kings 25:22-26 NKJV

[22] Then he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, governor over the people who remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left. [23] Now when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, Johanan the son of Careah, Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men. [24] And Gedaliah took an oath before them and their men, and said to them, “Do not be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.” [25] But it happened in the seventh month that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the royal family, came with ten men and struck and killed Gedaliah, the Jews, as well as the Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah. [26] And all the people, small and great, and the captains of the armies, arose and went to Egypt; for they were afraid of the Chaldeans. 

    When Gedaliah was appointed Governor of Judah, he should have dealt with the growing resistance of the young men first. Count the leaders of the revolutionary that returned. Ishmael, Johanan, Seraiah, Netophathite, Jaazaniah. These were military captains. The stage is already set for a revolution. Taking oath from them was useless. In seven months, they struck. 

    Guzik reports that "It seems that Gedaliah was a good and godly man, who was a friend of the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 26:24; Jer 39:14)". He set Jeremiah free from prison. Perhaps Jeremiah had told him that God is using Babylon to accomplish His will. By removing Gedaliah, they made themselves the dirrct enemy of Babylon. People panicked, and some ran to Egypt. 

    There was still Jeremiah. They could still hear God, yet they chosed to take matters into their own hands and create an interegnum. The world is not ruled by your feelings. Learn to hear God before you act. Wisdom is the principal thing. Don't play into the hands of your enemies. Have you heard God concerning your situation? Good morning.

Judah Was Stripped Of Men And Substance

Judah  Was Stripped Of Men And Substance 

II Kings 25:18-21 NKJV

[18] And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the second priest, and the three doorkeepers. [19] He also took out of the city an officer who had charge of the men of war, five men of the king’s close associates who were found in the city, the chief recruiting officer of the army, who mustered the people of the land, and sixty men of the people of the land who were found in the city. [20] So Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, took these and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah. [21] Then the king of Babylon struck them and put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away captive from its own land. 

In May 2nd, 2018 Chuck Swindoll wrote a vignette on Psa. 137, vv1-9. The introduction to that write up is best suited to our verses today. " The people of God failed to heed centuries of warnings and found themselves living with the consequences of disobedience. While God had not removed His fellowship—He loved the people of Judah as much as ever—He stripped them of their covenant blessings. No longer did they live in the land promised to Abraham and his descendants. No longer could they worship in the temple in Jerusalem". Note those words..." He stripped them of their covenant blessings ". That implies that their acceptance, approval as a people and self worth were destroyed.

    See the systematic way the enemy made sure that it will take a lomg time for Judah to recover. Select men of influence were taken. Their substance, including that of the temple were looted. This strategy is still being used today by the enemy. When God wants to bless you, He gives you men and substance. The enemy takes that away. God's redemption came through the Man, Jesus Christ. He opens the door for the right men to come through to your help. May your men not be few. May you not lack substance of sustenance in Jesus Name. May the covenant consistently speak for your covering. Good morning.

The Fall And Captivity of Judah

The Fall And Captivity Of Judah 

II Kings 25:1-4 NKJV

[1] Now it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem and encamped against it; and they built a siege wall against it all around. [2] So the city was besieged until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. [3] By the ninth day of the fourth month the famine had become so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land. [4] Then the city wall was broken through, and all the men of war fled at night by way of the gate between two walls, which was by the king’s garden, even though the Chaldeans were still encamped all around against the city. And the king went by way of the plain. 

The Prophet Ezekiel in Ezek.12:13 had prophesied the end of Judah. Of course no one took him seriously. Now the drama unfolds exactly as it was prophesied. For almost two years, Judah held ground against the Babylonians. David Guzik reports that " Nebuchadnezzar used the common method of attack in those days of securely walled cities – a siege wall. A siege was intended to surround a city, prevent all business and trade from entering or leaving the city, and to eventually starve the population into surrender". Albert Barnes adds that, " Its calamities - famine, pestilence, and intense suffering - are best understood from the Lamentations of Jeremiah, written probably almost immediately after the capture". Don't let the enemy lay siege and starve you out of God's protection. Cry out to out for help. 

    The planned secret break by Zedekiah ended in a fiasco and the King was captured in the plains of Jericho. Would his capture at the plains suggest that their cup had come full circle? It was from Jericho that Israel began to occupy the land of promise. Dilday says, " Here, where Israel experienced her first victory as the walls of Jericho fell before unarmed men who trusted God, was the scene of her last defeat.” 

    Before they put out Zedekiah's eyes, his children were executed. What a picture to live with for refusing God's help. Ezekiel had prophesied this. Ezek.12:13. Wiseman concludes this gory tale, " If Zedekiah had heeded the prophet’s word, he would have saved both Jerusalem and himself (Jer 38:14-28), for he was to die in Babylon (Ezk 12:14).” There's a time to head the warnings. The time is now. Don't wait till its too late. Good morning.

Judah Carried Into Captivity

Judah Carried Into Captivity

II Kings 24:10, 13-16 NKJV

[10] At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged....[13] And he carried out from there all the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasures of the king’s house, and he cut in pieces all the articles of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the Lord, as the Lord had said. [14] Also he carried into captivity all Jerusalem: all the captains and all the mighty men of valor, ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths. None remained except the poorest people of the land. [15] And he carried Jehoiachin captive to Babylon. The king’s mother, the king’s wives, his officers, and the mighty of the land he carried into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon. [16] All the valiant men, seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths, one thousand, all who were strong and fit for war, these the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon. 

    In Sept.,2,2024, Carolyn Luke made a very strong statement: " The God we serve is a jealous God, and He doesn’t want His people to serve Him and Satan. God will allow His people to go into captivity when they continue to reject the instructions of His written Word". That sums up our read today. That Captivity was the most traumatic experience in Judah. Here's what Becky Harling has to say. " The Babylonian captivity was one of the most traumatic events in Israel’s history. Historical theologians say that the trauma lasted until the coming of Jesus."

    The reason for that Captivity is explained more, in details, in 2 Chron. 36:15-17. Harling believes that there are at least three lessons that we can learn from the Babylonian Captivity. 

1. God takes idolatry very seriously..Exod. 20:3.

 2. In captivity, we are often awakened to God’s abiding presence...Dan.3:25

  3. Captivity can be used by God to transform our lives...Rom.8:28.

So God wasn't being mean to the captives, He had a purpose.

    " Even when God leads us into captivity, it really is for our good—for our redemption". You may ask: What good is there to be enslaved? Foley would answer that God , " protects us even when we’re in captivity. You can see that in the way that those who mistreat us when we are in captivity always get punished by him". Foley emphasizes, " Always—always—there is a glorious redemption for those owned by God". Your case is not beyond redemption. Take that to the bank. The enemy will NOT win. It might have taken a few days, but victory will come by Christ Jesus. You're not alone. Good morning.

Jehoahaz's Short Reign

Jehoahaz's Short Reign 

II Kings 23:31-34 NKJV

[31] Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. [32] And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done. [33] Now Pharaoh Necho put him in prison at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and he imposed on the land a tribute of one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. [34] Then Pharaoh Necho made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. And Pharaoh took Jehoahaz and went to Egypt, and he died there. 

Knapp gives us an idea of what happened to this young King. " The regular succession to the throne of Judah ceased with the lamented Josiah. Jehoahaz was not the eldest son of the late king. Johanan and Jehoiakim were both older than he (1 Chronicles 3:15). He was made king by popular choice: it was the preference of the multitude, not the appointment of God.” would this have been a contributory factor to his short reign? 

   After the death of Josiah, Necho, King of Egypt had imposed heavy taxes on Judah. He replaced Jehoahaz with another of the King's son. Jehoahaz was forced on exile, where, he died. Something significant stands out in his short reign. "...he did evil in the sight of the Lord". What a contrast to his father's reign. Would this have been the reason God allowed him to be taken captive and removed from Judah? The man would have obliterated all the reforms of King Josiah. There was something demonic in this man's life. God allowed him to be taken out. Tge place of authority you have is given you by grace. Don't use it to fight God. Gid who allowed you to be appointed, knowswhat to do next. 

    When God presents an opportunity to serve, embrace it with a humble heart, recognizing it as a blessing and a chance to grow closer to Him and make a positive impact on others. Col.3:23.  Pray for guidance and wisdom from God to discern the best way to serve and to ensure your actions align with His will. Good morning.