Devotional

Ezra 5, who do you work for?

Ezr 5:1-2, At that time THE PROPHETS HAGGAI AND ZECHARIAH SON OF IDDO PROPHESIED TO THE JEWS IN JUDAH AND JERUSALEM. … Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jehozadak RESPONDED BY STARTING AGAIN TO REBUILD THE TEMPLE OF GOD IN JERUSALEM.

The foundation was laid, yet they were forced to stop! The people had grown comfortable leaving the work of GOD to the side!

Hag 1:4-5, “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? … LOOK AT WHAT’S HAPPENING TO YOU!

The Jews were working for themselves, BUT NOT FOR GOD! THEY BUILT HOMES, PLANTED GRAIN, YET DIDN’T PROSPER AT ALL!

Hag 1:6-8, You have planted much BUT HARVEST LITTLE. You eat BUT ARE NOT SATISFIED. You drink BUT ARE STILL THIRSTY. You put on clothes BUT CANNOT KEEP WARM. YOUR WAGES DISAPPEAR AS THOUGH YOU WERE PUTTING THEM IN POCKETS FILLED WITH HOLES! “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! NOW GO UP INTO THE HILLS, BRING DOWN TIMBER, AND REBUILD MY HOUSE. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, SAYS THE LORD.

Zec 1:3, Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: RETURN TO ME, AND I WILL RETURN TO YOU, SAYS THE LORD OF HEAVEN’S ARMIES.’ 

The work on the temple re-started and both Haggai and Zechariah helped!

Ezr 5:3,5, But Tattenai, governor of the province …, and Shethar-bozenai and their colleagues soon arrived in Jerusalem and asked, “WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION TO REBUILD THIS TEMPLE AND RESTORE THIS STRUCTURE?” …BUT BECAUSE THEIR GOD WAS WATCHING OVER THEM, the leaders of the JEWS WERE NOT PREVENTED FROM BUILDING until a report was sent to Darius and he returned his decision.

INSTANTLY HOSTILITY TO THE WORK CAME BACK, YET THEY DIDN’T STOP! WE KNOW THAT GOD WATCHES OVER US; WE DON’T WORK FOR THE GOVERNOR, BUT FOR GOD! IT’S TIME WE GET TO WORK AGAIN FOR THE TIME IS SHORT AND MANY SOULS ARE IN NEED OF HIM!

Ezra 4, the lies of the enemy!

Ezr 4:1, NOW WHEN THE ADVERSARIES OF JUDAH AND BENJAMIN HEARD THAT THE descendants of the captivity WERE BUILDING THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL, 

When there is great work for the LORD, there will always be great opposition to that work!

1Co 16:9, FOR A GREAT AND EFFECTIVE DOOR HAS OPENED TO ME, AND THERE ARE MANY ADVERSARIES. 

Ezr 4:2, they came to Zerubbabel and the heads of the fathers’ houses, and said to them, “LET US BUILD WITH YOU, FOR WE SEEK YOUR GOD AS YOU DO; AND WE HAVE SACRIFICED TO HIM…

2Ti 3:5, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people TURN AWAY! 

They are adversaries, yet want to help build? Be careful who you allow in the ministry!

Tit 1:16, THEY PROFESS TO KNOW GOD, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. 

Ezr 4:3, But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel said to them, “YOU MAY DO NOTHING WITH US TO BUILD A HOUSE FOR OUR GOD; BUT WE ALONE WILL BUILD TO THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”

For years through the reigns of Cyrus, Ahasuerus, Artaxerxes up to Darius, they wrote letters ACCUSING THEM OF SEDITION to their reign! King Artaxerxes finally stopped the work because of their letter against them!

Pro 26:22-26 NLT, Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. SMOOTH WORDS MAY HIDE A WICKED HEART, just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot. People may COVER THEIR HATRED WITH PLEASANT WORDS, BUT THEY’RE DECEIVING YOU. THEY PRETEND TO BE KIND, but don’t believe them. THEIR HEARTS ARE FULL OF MANY EVILS. WHILE THEIR HATRED MAY BE CONCEALED BY TRICKERY, their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.

BE CAUTIOUS WHO YOU ALLOW IN THE MINISTRY FOR EVEN SATAN DRESSES HIMSELF AS AN ANGEL OF LIGHT!

Ezra 3, the glory of the Temple!

Ezr 3:2-3, Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel …, AROSE AND 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. … THEY SET THE ALTAR ON ITS BASES; AND THEY OFFERED BURNT OFFERINGS ON IT TO THE LORD, …

Perfect place to start building the temple of GOD, the alter!  OUR ALTER IS THE CROSS OF CALVARY.  YOU CAN’T BE A CHRISTIAN OR HAVE A CHURCH WITHOUT THE CROSS, BUT THAT ALTER IS AVAILABLE WITHOUT THE CHURCH; FOR HE MEETS US WHERE WERE AT!

Ezr 3:10-11, WHEN THE BUILDERS LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD, the priests stood in their apparel with TRUMPETS, … WITH CYMBALS, TO PRAISE THE LORD, …. 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.

GREAT JOY CAME FROM JUST LAYING THE FOUNDATION OF THE TEMPLE! YET NOT ALL WERE CELEBRATING!

Ezr 3:12, … OLD MEN WHO HAD SEEN THE FIRST TEMPLE, WEPT WITH A LOUD VOICE WHEN THE FOUNDATION OF THIS TEMPLE WAS LAID BEFORE THEIR EYES. Yet many shouted aloud for joy, 

It’s estimated that the first Temple cost 5 billion dollars to build, Yet the foundation of this temple didn’t compare in their eyes!

Hag 2:3,7,9, ‘WHO IS LEFT AMONG YOU WHO SAW THIS TEMPLE IN ITS FORMER GLORY? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing? … AND I WILL FILL THIS TEMPLE WITH GLORY,’ SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS…. ‘THE GLORY OF THIS LATTER TEMPLE SHALL BE GREATER THAN THE FORMER,’ … 

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE GOLD AND THE RICHES THAT THE FIRST TEMPLE HAD; IT’S ABOUT GOD! FOR THE SECOND TEMPLE WAS VISITED BY GOD JESUS HIMSELF. WITHOUT HIM IT’S JUST A BUILDING, BUT IN HIS PRESENCE, WE FIND GLORY! 

Ezra 2, the book of LIFE!

Ezr 2:1-2, Now these are the people of the province WHO CAME BACK FROM THE CAPTIVITY, OF THOSE WHO HAD BEEN CARRIED AWAY, WHOM NEBUCHADNEZZAR THE KING OF BABYLON HAD CARRIED AWAY TO BABYLON, AND WHO RETURNED TO JERUSALEM AND JUDAH, everyone to his own city. THOSE WHO CAME WITH ZERUBBABEL…

For 70 years they were in the land of Babylon, and with the command of Cyrus, the king,

Jer 29:10-11, FOR THUS SAYS THE LORD: AFTER SEVENTY YEARS ARE COMPLETED AT BABYLON, I will visit you and perform MY GOOD WORD TOWARD YOU, AND CAUSE YOU TO RETURN TO THIS PLACE. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, THOUGHTS OF PEACE AND NOT OF EVIL, TO GIVE YOU A FUTURE AND A HOPE.

It’s time to come back home, come back to HIS fellowship, come back and be HIS people again! It’s amazing to know that the LORD is thinking of us, HIS people; knowing how flawed we are YET STILL LOVES US!

Ezr 2:59, 62, And these were the ones who came up… BUT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THEIR FATHER’S HOUSE OR THEIR GENEALOGY, WHETHER THEY WERE OF ISRAEL: …THESE SOUGHT THEIR LISTING AMONG THOSE WHO WERE REGISTERED BY GENEALOGY, BUT THEY WERE NOT FOUND; THEREFORE THEY WERE EXCLUDED FROM THE PRIESTHOOD AS DEFILED. 

The Jewish nation kept good records of their genealogy, yet some couldn’t find their names written in the book and were counted as defiled meaning they couldn’t serve GOD!

Rev 20:15, AND ANYONE NOT FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE. 

Luke 10:20b, BUT RATHER REJOICE BECAUSE YOUR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN.” 

THE LORD IS A GOD OF LOVE AND IT’S UP TO EVERYONE TO EITHER EXCEPT HIM OR REJECT HIM!  THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND, AND HE WILL NEVER FORCE HIS WILL ON YOU! IS YOUR NAME WRITTEN IN HIS BOOK?

Ezra 1, called out by name!

Ezr 1:1, NOW IN THE FIRST YEAR OF CYRUS KING OF PERSIA, THAT THE WORD OF THE LORD BY THE MOUTH OF JEREMIAH MIGHT BE FULFILLED, THE LORD STIRRED UP THE SPIRIT OF CYRUS KING OF PERSIA… 

Josephus and others believe that the prophet Daniel showed the book of Jeremiah to Cyrus!

Dan 1:21, 9:2, Thus Daniel continued until the FIRST YEAR OF KING CYRUS…. I, Daniel, UNDERSTOOD BY THE BOOKS the number of the years specified by the word of the LORD THROUGH JEREMIAH THE PROPHET…

Ezr 1:2-3, Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth THE LORD GOD OF HEAVEN HAS GIVEN ME. AND HE HAS COMMANDED ME TO BUILD HIM A HOUSE AT JERUSALEM WHICH IS IN JUDAH…. LORD God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem.

In the prophecy of Jeremiah, written about 150 years before the birth of Cyrus, GOD CALLED CYRUS BY NAME!

Isa 45:1, 4-5, “Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, … I HAVE EVEN CALLED YOU BY YOUR NAME; I HAVE NAMED YOU, THOUGH YOU HAVE NOT KNOWN ME. I AM THE LORD, AND THERE IS NO OTHER; THERE IS NO GOD BESIDES ME. I WILL GIRD YOU, THOUGH YOU HAVE NOT KNOWN ME.

Cyrus didn’t know the LORD, yet GOD anointed him, guided him, blessed him and used him for HIS work! HOW MUCH MORE US WHO SAY WE KNOW HIM! HAS HE STIRRED YOUR HEART FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY?

Pro 21:1, THE KING’S HEART IS IN THE HAND OF THE LORD, LIKE THE RIVERS OF WATER; HE TURNS IT WHEREVER HE WISHES. 

Remember in the eyes of the LORD, though we don’t at all deserve it, we are kings and priest!

Rev 1:6, AND HAS MADE US KINGS AND PRIESTS TO HIS GOD AND FATHER, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

Cyrus was indeed honored by GOD as HE called him by name! YET, TRUE HONOR AND GLORY WILL BE FOR THOSE WHOS NAME ARE WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE!

2Chronicles 36, the day of the LORD!

In this chapter 4 kings reigned, Jehoahaz was taken to Egypt. Jehoiakim was taken to Babylon. Jehoiachin was also taken to Babylon; leaving Zedekiah who did evil in the sight of the LORD!

2Ch 36:13-14, And he also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear an oath by God; BUT HE STIFFENED HIS NECK AND HARDENED HIS HEART AGAINST TURNING TO THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL. Moreover ALL THE LEADERS OF THE PRIESTS AND THE PEOPLE transgressed more and more, according to all the abominations of the nations, and defiled the house of the LORD ….

Everyone rebelled against the LORD

2Ch 36:15-16, And the LORD God of their fathers SENT WARNINGS TO THEM BY HIS MESSENGERS, …BECAUSE HE HAD COMPASSION ON HIS PEOPLE AND ON HIS DWELLING PLACE. BUT THEY MOCKED the messengers of God, DESPISED HIS WORDS, and SCOFFED AT HIS PROPHETS, UNTIL THE WRATH OF THE LORD AROSE AGAINST HIS PEOPLE, TILL THERE WAS NO REMEDY.

THEY REJECTED THE LORDS WARNINGS!

2Pe 3:9b, …BUT IS LONGSUFFERING TOWARD US, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE

TODAY, SO MANY PEOPLE MOCK THE WORD OF GOD, THEY REJECT THE FREE GIFT OF SALVATION WHICH COST HIM EVERYTHING.

Joh 10:11, “I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. THE GOOD SHEPHERD GIVES HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP.

YET THE DAY OF THE LORD IS COMING AND THERE IS NO REMEMDY FOR IT!

Isa 13:9-11, BEHOLD, THE DAY OF THE LORD COMES, CRUEL, WITH BOTH WRATH AND FIERCE ANGER, TO LAY THE LAND DESOLATE; AND HE WILL DESTROY ITS SINNERS FROM IT. For the stars of heaven and their constellations Will not give their light; The sun will be darkened in its going forth, And the moon will not cause its light to shine. “I WILL PUNISH THE WORLD FOR ITS EVIL, AND THE WICKED FOR THEIR INIQUITY; I WILL HALT THE ARROGANCE OF THE PROUD, AND WILL LAY LOW THE HAUGHTINESS OF THE TERRIBLE.

HE IS ALWAYS LISTENING TO US, REPENT NOW FOR HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS. HIS WARTH IS COMING BE PREPARED FOR HE IS NEAR!

2Chronicles 35, God speaks in many ways!

2Ch 35:3, Then he said to the Levites … “PUT THE HOLY ARK IN THE HOUSE WHICH SOLOMON THE SON OF DAVID, KING OF ISRAEL, BUILT. IT SHALL NO LONGER BE A BURDEN ON YOUR SHOULDERS. …

Interesting to me is that this is the last mention of the Ark of the Covenant found in scripture! And, true it was no longer a burden!

2Ch 35:20, After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against CARCHEMISH by the Euphrates; and Josiah went out against him.

Egypt allied themselves with Assyria to fight against the armies of Babylon! This had nothing to do with Josiah!

2Ch 35:21-22, But he sent messengers to him, saying, “WHAT HAVE I TO DO WITH YOU, KING OF JUDAH? I HAVE NOT COME AGAINST YOU THIS DAY, BUT AGAINST THE HOUSE WITH WHICH I HAVE WAR; FOR GOD COMMANDED ME TO MAKE HASTE. REFRAIN FROM MEDDLING WITH GOD, WHO IS WITH ME, LEST HE DESTROY YOU.” … did not heed the words of Necho FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD

Much like Caiaphas, who spoke without knowing it was GOD that spoke through him John 11:49-51, God warned Josiah but he didn’t heed the warning!

GOD SPEAKS TO US IN MANY WAYS! MAINLY THROUGH HIS WORD!

2Ti 3:16, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

Through HIS Creation.

Rom 1:21, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 

No matter how HE chooses to talk to us always remember one simple thing!  HE WILL NEVER CONTRADICT HIS WORD! WE NEED TO KNOW SCRIPTURE IN ORDER TO KNOW IF IT’S FROM THE LORD OR FROM THE ENEMY OF GOD!

2Co 11:13-14, For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For SATAN HIMSELF TRANSFORMS HIMSELF INTO AN ANGEL OF LIGHT.

2Chrnicles 34, the coming judgement!

2Ch 34:1-3, Josiah was eight years old when he became king, … And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of his father David; HE DID NOT TURN ASIDE TO THE RIGHT HAND OR TO THE LEFT…. while he was still young, HE BEGAN TO SEEK THE GOD OF HIS FATHER DAVID; and in the twelfth year HE BEGAN TO PURGE JUDAH

A Prophesied coming king by name of Josiah

1Ki 13:2, …Thus says the LORD: ‘BEHOLD, A CHILD, JOSIAH BY NAME, SHALL BE BORN TO THE HOUSE OF DAVID…

Josiah cleansed the land of Judah and Israel from their abominations, Idols, alters, he also burned the wicked priest of Baal! Josiah also repaired the house of the LORD!

2Ch 34:14, Now when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest FOUND THE BOOK OF THE LAW OF THE LORD GIVEN BY MOSES. 

THEY LOST THE BOOK OF THE LAW IN THE HOUSE OF GOD? There are many churches today that teach the wisdom of men rather than the word of GOD! They are motivational speakers who like to tickle your ear and make you feel good, but in reality the word of GOD is lost in those churches!

2Ti 4:3-4, For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

They read the book in front of king Josiah!

2Ch 34:19, Thus it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes. 

For years they lived their lives without the word of GOD, yet when they read it Josiah knew the coming judgement on the land of Israel!  SO MANY PEOPLE TODAY LIVES IN IGNORANCE OF HIS WORD. THEY CALL THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS OR BELIEVERS YET THEY LIVE FOR THEIR OWN PLEASURES; NOT REALIZING JUDGEMENT IS COMING TO THE WORLD, AND IT’S NEAR!

1Co 15:34, AWAKE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND DO NOT SIN; FOR SOME DO NOT HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. I SPEAK THIS TO YOUR SHAME. 

2Chronicles 33, HIS ways!

2Ch 33:1-2, Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. BUT HE DID EVIL IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, …

His father Hezekiah was sick and near death and the LORD told him, via Isaiah, that he was going to die! It was his time! 2Ki 20:1. YET he pleaded and cried to the LORD and the LORD extended his life 15 years longer!

2Ki 20:6, AND I WILL ADD TO YOUR DAYS FIFTEEN YEARS….

During the last 15 years of his life he begot Manasseh, a wicked king! THE LORD HAS A BETTER PLAN FOR US, YET MOST OF THE TIME WE PRAY IN IGNORANCE; WHEN HE SAYS ‘NO’ TO OUR PRAYERS IS FOR OUR BENEFIT EVEN IF WE DON’T SEE IT! 

2CH 33: 6, 10, ALSO HE CAUSED HIS SONS TO PASS THROUGH THE FIRE IN THE VALLEY OF THE SON OF HINNOM; HE PRACTICED SOOTHSAYING, USED WITCHCRAFT AND SORCERY, AND CONSULTED MEDIUMS AND SPIRITISTS. HE DID MUCH EVIL IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, TO PROVOKE HIM TO ANGER. And the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, BUT THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN. 

The sad thing is today this would be considered normal behavior; killing children in the womb, consulting mediums doing evil before the LORD! YET, HE sends HIS messengers to teach the WORD of GOD and it’s rejected by them!

2Ch 33:11-12, Therefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, WHO TOOK MANASSEH WITH HOOKS, BOUND HIM WITH BRONZE FETTERS, AND CARRIED HIM OFF TO BABYLON. Now when he was in affliction, HE IMPLORED THE LORD HIS GOD, AND HUMBLED HIMSELF GREATLY BEFORE THE GOD OF HIS FATHERS,

Hos 5:15, I will return again to My place TILL THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR OFFENSE. THEN THEY WILL SEEK MY FACE; IN THEIR AFFLICTION THEY WILL EARNESTLY SEEK ME.” 

2Ch 33:13, …THEN MANASSEH KNEW THAT THE LORD WAS GOD. 

THE LORD HAS HIS WAYS TO TURN EVEN THE MOST PEOPLE WICKED BACK TO HIM!

1Jn 1:9, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

2Chronicles 32, More of us!

2Ch 32:1, AFTER THESE DEEDS OF FAITHFULNESS, SENNACHERIB KING OF ASSYRIA CAME AND ENTERED JUDAH…

By following the LORD doesn’t exempt you from the troubles of this world. But, in HIM we will have peace knowing that HE will never leave us nor forsake us!

2Ch 32:7-8, BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS; DO NOT BE AFRAID NOR DISMAYED BEFORE THE KING OF ASSYRIA, nor before all the multitude that is with him; FOR THERE ARE MORE WITH US THAN WITH HIM. with him is an arm of flesh; BUT WITH US IS THE LORD OUR GOD, TO HELP US AND TO FIGHT OUR BATTLES.” … 

Even if just two men were surrounded by a great army, IN THE LORD, WE OUTNUMBER THEM FOR GOD FIGHTS FOR US!

2Ki 6:16-17, So he answered, “DO NOT FEAR, FOR THOSE WHO ARE WITH US ARE MORE THAN THOSE WHO ARE WITH THEM.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see. Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 

2Ch 32:10-11,13, “Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria: ‘IN WHAT DO YOU TRUST?… DOES NOT HEZEKIAH PERSUADE YOU TO GIVE YOURSELVES OVER TO DIE BY FAMINE AND BY THIRST, saying, “The LORD our God will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria”? Do you not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of other lands? WERE THE GODS OF THE NATIONS OF THOSE LANDS IN ANY WAY ABLE TO DELIVER THEIR LANDS OUT OF MY HAND? 

LIKE A ROARING LION BRINGING FEAR AMONGST THE PEOPLE, YET WITH GOD HE IS A TOOTHLESS, FEEBLE, BLIND MAN WITH A CANE! DO NOT FEAR AND SEEK HIM FIRST; FOR IF GOD IS WITH US WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?

Psa 23:4, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL; FOR YOU ARE WITH ME; YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME.