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- Apr 25, 2006
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16 May 2007
Ezra 6:13-18
So, Tattenai, the governor of Trans-Euphrates, Shethar-Bozenai, and their fellow workers carried out King Darius' order quickly and carefully. The older Jewish leaders continued to build and were successful because of the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo. They finished building the Temple as the God of Israel had commanded and as kings Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes of Persia had ordered. The Temple was finished on the third day of the month of Adar in the sixth year Darius was king.
Then the people of Israel celebrated and gave the Temple to God to honour him. Everybody was happy: the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the Jewish people who had returned from captivity. They gave the Temple to God by offering a hundred bulls, two hundred male sheep, and four hundred lambs as sacrifices. And as an offering to forgive the sins of all Israel, they offered twelve male goats, one goat for each tribe in Israel. Then they put the priests and the Levites into their separate groups. Each group had a certain time to serve God in the Temple at Jerusalem as it is written in the Book of Moses.
Suddenly the political climate had changed. After years of delaying tactics, the government had become helpful. And God's people were ready to respond to the opportunity, encouraged by Haggai and Zechariah.
When you have time, turn to the last few pages of the Old Testament and read what they had to say. Haggai called on the people to put God before themselves - to repair the temple before they built a new conservatory. Zechariah encouraged them with picture-parables so that they could see spiritual truths in the everyday.
Have you been working hard for ages for little reward? Be encouraged by the God who removes obstacles, and ask him to do so. If he does so, are you ready to grab the opportunity he gives you?
The people were ready, and in no time the project was finished. Then it was time for a massive party. They were back on track with God and filled with joy.
Do you know that joy? Are you on track with God? How about your friends? Is it time for a party with God? As Jesus said, "There is more joy in heaven over one person who turns back to God than over 99 who never needed to" (Luke 15:7).
Lord, I'm ready to respond to the opportunities you give me. Give me the eyes to see them. Come to a party in my life, and let's celebrate together. Amen.
Written by James Archer
Ezra 6:13-18
So, Tattenai, the governor of Trans-Euphrates, Shethar-Bozenai, and their fellow workers carried out King Darius' order quickly and carefully. The older Jewish leaders continued to build and were successful because of the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo. They finished building the Temple as the God of Israel had commanded and as kings Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes of Persia had ordered. The Temple was finished on the third day of the month of Adar in the sixth year Darius was king.
Then the people of Israel celebrated and gave the Temple to God to honour him. Everybody was happy: the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the Jewish people who had returned from captivity. They gave the Temple to God by offering a hundred bulls, two hundred male sheep, and four hundred lambs as sacrifices. And as an offering to forgive the sins of all Israel, they offered twelve male goats, one goat for each tribe in Israel. Then they put the priests and the Levites into their separate groups. Each group had a certain time to serve God in the Temple at Jerusalem as it is written in the Book of Moses.
Suddenly the political climate had changed. After years of delaying tactics, the government had become helpful. And God's people were ready to respond to the opportunity, encouraged by Haggai and Zechariah.
When you have time, turn to the last few pages of the Old Testament and read what they had to say. Haggai called on the people to put God before themselves - to repair the temple before they built a new conservatory. Zechariah encouraged them with picture-parables so that they could see spiritual truths in the everyday.
Have you been working hard for ages for little reward? Be encouraged by the God who removes obstacles, and ask him to do so. If he does so, are you ready to grab the opportunity he gives you?
The people were ready, and in no time the project was finished. Then it was time for a massive party. They were back on track with God and filled with joy.
Do you know that joy? Are you on track with God? How about your friends? Is it time for a party with God? As Jesus said, "There is more joy in heaven over one person who turns back to God than over 99 who never needed to" (Luke 15:7).
Lord, I'm ready to respond to the opportunities you give me. Give me the eyes to see them. Come to a party in my life, and let's celebrate together. Amen.
Written by James Archer
