Devotions

We Were Like Dreamers

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The exiles are home and the people settled in their home cities, well at least in the right place. Jerusalem’s walls are down, the temple destroyed, and the Assyrians had relocated people to their land. But they were home. They hired the craftsmen to lay the foundation of the temple as their first task. And as they began this work the priests and the levites gathered all the people and they praised God and gave thanks and the people shouted for joy or some wept for the pain of their loss of the temple and seventy years. Included today is Psalm 92 for the Sabbath to commemorate the seventy years Sabbath rest for the land and Psalm 126 for thanksgiving, turning tears to of joy. 

The Builders Laid The Foundation

Ezra 3:8–13
The priests began their work, yes, in Ezra 3:10 “the builders laid the foundation of the temple of Yahweh. But this wasn’t the most important thing. The priests, trumpets, Levites, cymbals “positioned to praise Yahweh”. Then in Ezra 3:11 “they sang responsively … and all the people responded with a great shout of joyful acclaim in praise to Yahweh”. They were back in their land. They were back in their covenant. They were back in their relationship with God and each other.

It Is Good To Give Thanks To Yahweh

Psalm 92:1–15
The exile for seventy years was to give the land Sabbath rest because the people were doing evil in the sight of the Lord. Now, they remember the Lord and his goodness.

God gave us the earth to enjoy, and all the fullness. And he gave it to us for joy, that we can flourish, to prosper in old age.

It is good for us to get alone with Him and enjoy the world He gave us. 

We Were Like Dreamers

Psalm 126:1–6
This Psalm begins with “When Yahweh restored”. It isn’t our strength or ability that deliver and restore, that would be pride and self interest. But when Yahweh restored, there was laughter and rejoicing and the nations said, “Yahweh has done great things for these people”. 

It Is For Us

Ezra 4:1–5
In Ezra 4:1-2 “The enemies of Judah and Benjamin … approached … and they said to them, Let us build with you.” These were not sons of Israel and they were not servants of God “The mention of the king of Assyria who brought us here42 provides a pointer to the story of 2 Kings 17:24ff., and another angle on the speakers and their religion”.1

But in Ezra 4:3-4 The priests and family heads said no, keeping the lineage of the sons of Israel pure. Since the people of the land had been discouraged. in Ezra 4:5 these enemies, “bribed officials against them to frustrate their plan all the days of Cyrus”.

It is interesting to see how God provided for his people to go home, but it was a simple task to get re-established. The exiles that returned had to take and hold their ground even though they had been authorized by the king, the legal government of the day.

Today, Operation Exodus is helping Jewish people return to their homeland. You might fund one that desires to go home. http://operationexodususa.org/Overview

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Psalm 92:1-15
  • Psalm 126:1-6
  • Ezra 3:8-13
  • Ezra 4:1-5

References

  • 1. Kidner, D. (1979). Ezra and Nehemiah: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 12, p. 55). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.