They Also Celebrated The Feast Of Unleavened Bread

They Also Celebrated The Feast Of Unleavened Bread

Ezra 6:22 NKJV

[22] And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy; for the Lord made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

     Here's someone's explanation of this feast: " The Feast of Unleavened Bread is one of the seven feasts of the Lord and has a significant place within Judaism. This observance, also called Chag HaMatzot, lasts seven days and follows the celebration of Passover, commemorating the swift departure of the Israelites from Egypt". Bible study tools adds that, " The feast also holds symbolic meaning for Christians, representing deliverance from spiritual bondage and the removal of sin'. Exod. 34:18

   The primary ritual is the eating of unleavened bread, called matzah, which symbolizes the haste with which the Israelites departed Egypt, not having time for the dough to rise. Laven is actually yeast, used for bread. It helps bread get its puffy appearance. The removal of leaven from homes during the feast signifies the purification and cleansing from evil. To christians, that feast foreshadows the redemption of Christ from sin. Jesus is seen as the "unleavened bread" because He is free from sin and wickedness, and He provides spiritual nourishment to all believers. He is a reminder of righteousness, free from laven of sin. 

   It is with that same haste that a child of God must depart from sin. You don't have to wait. So the feast reminds us to: * Embrace our freedom through Christ.* Live ready for Christ return.* Strive to live right, free from sin. You should celebrate that victory also. Good morning.

Additional Supplies For Sacrifices

Additional Supplies For Sacrifices 

Ezra 6:9-12 NKJV

[9] And whatever they need—young bulls, rams, and lambs for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the request of the priests who are in Jerusalem—let it be given them day by day without fail,[10] that they may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons. [11] Also I issue a decree that whoever alters this edict, let a timber be pulled from his house and erected, and let him be hanged on it; and let his house be made a refuse heap because of this. [12] And may the God who causes His name to dwell there destroy any king or people who put their hand to alter it, or to destroy this house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius issue a decree; let it be done diligently. 

    God operates beyond our expectations. His compensation is not limited to simply repaying what someone has done or given. Instead, it's a generous overflow of His grace and love. This concept highlights God's generous and loving nature, where He often surpasses what He's obligated to provide, offering a bounty of blessings beyond what is merely deserved. Just imagine being the Governor of the region. If they were angry, it must not be seen. You cant act against the King.

    These things were to be given the Priests as a daily supply. Doesn't that remind you of the prayer of Jesus? Give us this day, Our daily bread..even if the daily bread is from the enemy. Elijah can testify of this when the ravens brought food daily from the King's table. God's blessings will also accompany you today, and daily. You deserve all.

    Oppositions to your blessings are under the Kings edict. Don't forget, " In the mouth of a king there is power"  Eccl. 8:4. The  King's words, commands and pronouncements are backed by significant influence and power. This emphasizes that the king's decisions are not easily questioned or challenged. Supply is coming your way. Be expectant. I have seen, and experienced same. God's still in charge. Good morning.

The Scroll Was Found

The Scroll Was Found 

Ezra 6:1-4 NKJV

[1] Then King Darius issued a decree, and a search was made in the archives, where the treasures were stored in Babylon. [2] And at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a scroll was found, and in it a record was written thus: [3] In the first year of King Cyrus, King Cyrus issued a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem: “Let the house be rebuilt, the place where they offered sacrifices; and let the foundations of it be firmly laid, its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits,[4] with three rows of heavy stones and one row of new timber. Let the expenses be paid from the king’s treasury.

   It wasn't going to be hidden forever. The scroll for your release has been found.  John 8:36; Gal.5:1; Rom.6:22. A search has been made in the archives. Its freedom day. So they found the scroll authorising the building. The lie of the enemy didn't last forever. It never does.

    Read between the lines..." Let the house be rebuilt, the place where they offered sacrifices; and let the foundations of it be firmly laid, its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits." The Jews were vindicated. Add to that, the building was supposed to be paid for by the King of Persia. So Darius added to the decree.

    There's a word for your release. The enemy doesn't need to like it. It only needs to obey God. Wherever and whatever was bound is hereby released by the decree of God. A few days were wasted, but the release has come. With it also  comes peace and a compensation for the time wasted. Good morning.

Fact Finding To A Cyrus Decree

Fact Finding To A Cyrus Decree

Ezra 5:17 NKJV

[17] Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the king’s treasure house, which is there in Babylon, whether it is so that a decree was issued by King Cyrus to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send us his pleasure concerning this matter.

    The Elders were not going to shut down the work again. They were focused on getting the facts straight before Darius. They suggested a fact finding mission be organized to find the original Cyrus decree. Meanwhile, the work continued.

   Our read today is their demand for that search. The Justice Dashboard explains that, " Fact-finding aims to answer questions like: What exactly happened? Who was affected and how? Who might be responsible? Why did the people involved do what they did? Parties to a crime or conflict typically have a pressing need for information in the aftermath of a harmful incident – especially when what took place is unclear". Years had gone by.

     It also submits that, "Fact-finding can help the parties uncover both forensic (factual) and narrative (personal) aspects of the truth, depending on the type of questions used and the context in which they are asked." The letter ends well. "...let the king send us his pleasure concerning this matter." May the pleasure of the King of Kings support your focus. May the pleasure of the King bring you victories against all oppositions. Meanwhile, keep working. Keep watching. Hallelujah. Good morning.

Technical Reply To Demonic Legislation

Technical Reply To Demonic Legislation 

Ezra 5:1-4 NKJV

[1] Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. [2] So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them, helping them. [3] At the same time Tattenai the governor of the region beyond the River and Shethar-Boznai and their companions came to them and spoke thus to them: “Who has commanded you to build this temple and finish this wall?” [4] Then, accordingly, we told them the names of the men who were constructing this building. 

      Spiritual entities or demons maintain legal rights to negatively influence or control individuals, communities, or nations based on transgressions, generational sins, and other spiritual violations. A greater amount of time, the enemy bends the rules to its favour. You could never get judgment in a satanic court. The work of rebuilding the temple had stopped for quite sometimes. The only way to get it back up was to defy the demonic legislation.

     God's counter measure came by a prophetic encouragement. It declared God's will in the building, and drew a battle line. Zerubabel and Joshua took the risk to walk by faith and the prophets accompanied them to declare the will of God. The battle had moved beyond the physical to the heavens. Time passed, and there was a new King on the Persian throne. His name was Darius.

    This act of faith will force records to be opened. The enemy thought it had you. The records are kept under God. The original records will be revealed and the enemies of God will be ashamed. I can assure, Ive read the minutes. They are in your favour. Dont fret anymore. Keep building. Take back the project. See the Supervisor. Open that last door and hear the celebration of your victory. Hallelujah! Good morning.

The Temporary Detour

The Temporary Detour 

Ezra 4:17-22 NKJV

[17] The king sent an answer: To Rehum the commander, to Shimshai the scribe, to the rest of their companions who dwell in Samaria, and to the remainder beyond the River: Peace, and so forth. [18] The letter which you sent to us has been clearly read before me. [19] And I gave the command, and a search has been made, and it was found that this city in former times has revolted against kings, and rebellion and sedition have been fostered in it.[20] There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the region beyond the River; and tax, tribute, and custom were paid to them.[21] Now give the command to make these men cease, that this city may not be built until the command is given by me. [22] Take heed now that you do not fail to do this. Why should damage increase to the hurt of the kings?

     

     Sometimes it may look like the enemy has won. Dont accept it. Its a temporary detour. If you settle at it, you will never win again. A detour is a deviation from the direct route of progress. It happens when it looks like the enemy appears to win. Someone says, " What may at first appear as an obstacle, detour or meander in life, can in truth, often be the most direct, ground breaking, enriching, fruitful and enlightened... or clear path moving forward!" The story is not finished. Its the complications of the plot. Hold on.

    You see, the King reacted based on some old records. The story of the enemy appear true, but there will ne other  records. The price for your state has been paid. Someone needs to find the proper records.

   So there's a command to make you cease? You're stopping because of an old decree. This is Job 22:27-28 " You shall make your prayer to Him, and He shall hear you, and you shall pay your vows. 28  You shall also order a thing, and it shall be fulfilled to you; and the light shall shine on your ways". They are using counterfeit decrees. You are the one to speak the decrees of heaven. And you can. Dont be overwhelmed by the aparent victory of the enemy. A new season is bursting forth. And you're the beneficiary. Keep a date, the rules will be changed again. Thank you Jesus. Good morning.

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.