Chapter 21 - Rebuilding the Walls

Ezra 7
Nehemiah 1-2, 4, 6-8
Malachi 1-4

Introduction to the Reading: 

When I read this chapter, one word came to mind. It's not a word that most people probably would have thought of, but nonetheless, I find this chapter filled with references to it. What is the word? When I read this chapter, I think "Worship." 

Maybe it is because I've always been fascinated with the way we as Christians have worshiped over the centuries. Maybe it's simply because I had just gotten back from worship when I read this chapter. Either way, bear with me this week as I point out what I see as an interesting connection between the history of the Israelites in this chapter and the way we worship the Lord today.

Before You Read - Background of the Reading:

Ok, for those of you who aren't big into timelines, this is the last time with this timeline...

You will notice that the Jews living in captivity returned in waves. If you remember, the first group came back under Zerubbabel around 536 B.C. and rebuilt the temple. We will be reading about the 2nd and 3rd waves today. We begin with a reading from Ezra, a priest who returns to Jerusalem with the permission of Artaxerxes, the new Persian ruler. (And quite possibly the son of Vashti or Esther - either way he would have grown up around Esther as the queen which may explain his kindly disposition to Ezra.)

Breaks Along the Way - p. 294 :

It's interesting how the Lord provided for the exiles who returned home. This Persian ruler gives in abundance not only supplies for those returning, but even money for the offerings. As much as I could comment on this aspect, I don't want to overlook another amazing gift the Lord had given the people: Ezra himself!

It reminds me of all the spiritual leaders the Lord has blessed us with in our churches, and in particular the gift that God has given us in our pastors. While the Lord was with Ezra, his learning was acquired through many hours of long study. Remember how we read, "Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord." The pastors in our churches are not newbies to the faith. They have spent years studying the scripture in preparation for teaching them to us. Your pastors not only learned the scriptures from their parents and teachers as children, they continued their study through college and later at the seminary in order to grow in their understanding of God's Word. It's easy to take for granted the great blessing the Lord has given our church body in the educational system we have for our spiritual leaders in the public ministry. What a blessing!  

In addition, the Lord blessed his people with other church leaders; "Priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, temple servants and other workers at this house of God." The Lord has blessed us to with individuals from our congregation who serve in various capacities: from those who teach our children to those who play violin, flute, and French horn, from ushers to people who run audio and video - all blessings the Lord has provided us!

Thank the Lord that as we gather for worship and Bible study, like the Israelites we have Ministers of the Gospel who can share genuine insights into the scriptures and proclaim the scriptures in truth and purity!

Let us pray a prayer of thanks for the spiritual leaders God has given us!

Bottom of p 299:

"Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other..." Can you imagine? At Hope, if we were ever to build on or build in a new location, there would certainly be challenges, but we probably wouldn’t be hiring security guards to stand around us while we built.

Yet while we can be thankful, not all of our brothers and sisters have the same level of safety.  I could give you examples I've heard from distant places like China or instances from the past where our fellow Christians in Latvia had terrible experiences during communism, but there are even examples closer to home. A couple years ago, my friend lived in Flint, Michigan. If you've heard of Flint you probably know that that a couple years ago it was the most violent city in the nation. While the congregation he was a member of wasn't targeted per se, it was certainly impacted by the community around it. The large glass doors were shattered by a large rock one Sunday morning. The shed was broken into twice - in the same night. Just a couple of months ago the pastor's home was broken into. Safety is always a concern. The organists have to take special precautions when practicing late at night. When the pastor was at the church building late into the evening he would bring his dog along to keep watch. Like Nehemiah did when he heard the report from Jerusalem, we weep along with our fellow Christians in other places who face bodily danger in carrying out the task of spreading the Gospel. 

Yet, like the people of Jerusalem, the members of the congregation didn't let the circumstances deter them from spreading the Gospel. Like the Jews, they took precautions for their safety, but they also trusted the Lord. They joined the community watch in order to make a difference in the community. They didn't rebuild walls, but they did refurbish vacant lots to improve the neighborhood. In spite of the dangers, they walked door to door handing out fliers about the church.

Let us pray for all believers that the Lord be attentive to our prayer to keep his protective hand over our brothers and sisters who risk their physical safety for the sake of proclaiming the Gospel, and let us thank the Lord that we can worship him in safety and security.

Bottom of p 301:

Alright, this is where the parallels to worship are so evident to me: We gather around to hear the Word of the Lord read. Then, like the Levites who "instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there," Pastors through their sermons helps us understand the context and helps us apply it to our lives. (I also noticed that the people were not only nourished spiritually, but they also had physical nourishment. I smiled as I read this thinking about the wonderful spread of food that the volunteers prepare every Sunday or at fellowship gatherings) Finally, notice how the Word produced an effect. While we aren't commanded to celebrate special festivals like the Feast of Tabernacles like the Israelites had to, we too naturally want to celebrate when we hear about what the Lord has done for us. The Feast of Tabernacles which is described here was a remembrance of how the Lord was with them as they lived in tents in the wilderness and how he delivered them from the slavery in Egypt. We celebrate Christmas as we remember how God came to live with us and Easter when we remember how we have been set free from our slavery to sin, death and the Devil.

Let us pray that the Lord continues to work through his Word to move our hearts to celebrate what wonderful things he has done for us!

Bottom of p 303-

What does the Lord have to say about our offerings? Well to sum it up, he wants first-fruits that come from a heart of faith. In fact, he wants our whole lives as a living offering! You will notice that Malachi writes in a very unique pattern: 

·                     The Lord makes a statement. 

·                     The people deny it questioningly. 

·                     The Lord answers their question briefly. 

·                     The people have a follow-up question. 

·                     The Lord gives a detailed response.

In this first section, the Lord says that he is not pleased with their offerings because they are what you might call "leftovers" - blind, lame and diseased animals for sacrifice. Yet I know exactly how tempting it is to give the leftovers: sometimes when we sit down to pay the bills our first thought usually isn't, "What can we give to the Lord." Our first thought is usually, "Do we have enough money to pay for these things we wanted to buy." Can you see the parallel?

Then, when the people ask why the Lord doesn't accept their offerings, he goes even deeper: because he wants their whole life to be an offering. Have you ever had someone give you a birthday gift or Christmas gift who you knew didn't like you and may have even been bad mouthing you behind your back? The gift doesn't mean much if it's not given in love, and it especially doesn't mean much if you act disrespectfully right after you give it! If we don't seek to live lives according to God's will, then our offerings don't mean much, do they? God wants us not only to offer our treasures, but our lives as well!

In the final part of this section, we are reminded to trust the Lord with regards to our ability to give offerings. This passage is a favorite of mine when I'm trying to budget. I'm not saying we go hungry in our household just so that we have offerings to give. Yet as I try to figure out how everything will work out in the long run, it's often easiest to start the cutting in the budget in the donations column. It's easy to think, "Well at least if I cut offerings, this will have a minimal impact." But what is the impact really? "Test me in this," says the Lord almighty," and see if I will not throw open the flood gates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." 

Let us pray that the Lord move our hearts to worship him not only by bringing the best of our treasures, but also by offering our very lives as a living sacrifice to him.

When You're Done Reading - Thoughts to Ponder:

So what does the Lord do for us in worship? He turns our hearts! Malachi prophesied that "Elijah" would come before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. The prophet he was speaking of was John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the coming of Jesus. John preached a message of repentance that the people would turn from sin and trust in Jesus the Lamb of God.

Through the prophets of our day - those who proclaim God's word to us - the Lord turns our hearts as well as we await the day of the Lord and Jesus appearing. As we walked through the history of the Old Testament, we've seen how time and time again the Lord called his people to repentance through his Word. We've seen how important it was that the people be reminded over and over of God's promises and his upper story. We too, as we await the coming of Jesus, gather regularly to be reminded of God's promises and how our lower story is connected to that even greater upper story.

Let us pray, "Come, Lord Jesus! Come!"

Prayer/Hymn:

by James Montgomery

To your temple I draw near;
Lord, I love to worship here.
Here are sacrament and Word;
Here believers meet their Lord.

I through Christ am reconciled;
I through Christ become your child.
Abba, Father, give me grace
In your courts to seek your face.

While your glorious praise is sung.
Touch my lips, unloose my tongue,
That my joyful soul may bless
Christ the Lord, my righteousness.

While the prayers of saints ascend,
God of love, to mine attend.
Hear me, for your Spirit pleads;
Hear, for Jesus intercedes.

While I listen to your law,
Fill my soul with holy awe
Till your gospel brings to me
Life and immortality.

While your ministers proclaim
Peace and pardon in your name
Through their voice, by faith, may I
Hear you speaking from the sky.

From your house, when I return,
May my heart within me burn,
And at evening let me say,
"I have walked with God today."

Chapter 20 - The Queen of Beauty and Courage

Esther 1-9

Introduction to the Reading:The Book of Esther is awesome to read. It reads just like a novel. You have protagonists that you cheer for, a heinous villain, a beautiful queen, and an intriguing plot. And the awesomest (if that's a word) part is that it really happened! (It actually makes for a really good movie too! Check out "For those who want more" at the end for details.)

Today I recommend just reading and enjoying the story. We'll analyze and apply when you are done reading. But before you start turning the pages, I do want you just to take a mental note of one thing: how often is the Lord's name mentioned. Count the number of times "The Lord," or "God," or "The Almighty," or any other name for God is mentioned.

Before You Read - Background of the Book of Esther: The events we are going to read today take place roughly 40 years after the rebuilding of the temple was completed, which we read about last week. The time line is extended from last week to give you a better idea:

So what can we tell from this timeline? (Other than giving away the fact that Esther will become Queen - sorry for a bit of a spoiler there. Don't worry, that's just the beginning of the book.) Well politically there haven't been any big shifts in power.  The Persians are still on top of the political heap. There is, however, a new ruler on the throne. Not only is Jerusalem quite a ways away physically from the Persian capitol of Susa, but even if Xerxes had been born at the time of the temple rebuilding, he was just a boy. While a number of Jews are still living in Jerusalem and the surrounding area, there are still a large number scattered throughout the Middle East. In the book of Esther we turn our focus from Jerusalem to Susa, the capitol of Persia. And we meet a king whose most trusted advisors, if he were living today, would be Jim, Jack, & Johnny. 

When You're Done Reading - Thoughts to Ponder: So what did you think? Isn't it a fun book to read? So now that we are through, how many times is God's name mentioned? Well maybe I missed one, but I didn't see his name mentioned once. That's quite odd for a book of the Bible. With that said, do you have any doubt if God was involved in seeing things work out for his people? As you look back, it's so clearly evident that God had everything under control! Evil was avenged. God's people were saved. The Lord got the glory!

Yet, to compare it to our lives, how often doesn't your life feel a bit like Esther's? Does it seem like God is missing? This past week I was finishing up a night stand that I am building for my wife.  The support for the drawer broke twice before I got it right the third time.  Was that God's doing? What was his plan? I don't know! God didn't plaster his name all over the broken pieces or the piece that finally worked to tell me that he had a plan. What's God's plan with the pine beetles in the Hills, the dry summer and the relatively dry winter? Beats me!  It’s snowing outside my window right now… How does that work into God's plan? We often want to know the details. We want to know exactly what God is up to. Yet he doesn't tell us. 

We want to see miracles, just to know that God has things under control. This week my daughters requested that I tell them the story of Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41). You know: Jesus and his disciples are out on a boat. Jesus is sleeping when a storm comes up. Afraid, his disciples wake him up. First he rebukes the wind and the waves, then he rebukes them. In the end, what they fear the most is Jesus (with a reverent fear that is). So I'm thinking, "Wouldn't it be awesome to see that!" 

Yet as I thought about it, isn't the Lord teaching us the same lesson by having each of these events recorded in scripture? He's telling us, "Trust me! I've got things under control! "

Maybe we don't see with the clarity that we want exactly how God is directing the day to day affairs of our life. Maybe we don't see God's name written all over the events of our day. Esther and Mordecai didn't know how God would use them. Yet as they looked back and as we look back at their lives, it's all too evident that God was indeed involved. As I look back at my life and all the times I didn't know what God was up to, in retrospect I see that he was with me all the way. He keeps telling me and telling you, "Trust me! I've got things under control! "

Prayer/Hymn: 

By Edward Hooper

Jesus, Savior, pilot me 

over life's tempestuous sea; 

unknown waves before me roll, 

hiding rock and treacherous shoal. 

Chart and compass come from thee; 

Jesus, Savior, pilot me. 

As a mother stills her child, 

thou canst hush the ocean wild; 

boisterous waves obey thy will, 

when thou sayest to them, "Be still!" 

Wondrous sovreign of the sea, 

Jesus, Savior, pilot me. 

When at last I near the shore, 

and the fearful breakers roar 

'twixt me and the peaceful rest, 

then, while leaning on thy breast, 

may I hear thee say to me, 

"Fear not, I will pilot thee.

For those who like more:

Alright, want to watch a movie this weekend? Why not watch the story of Esther? And I'm talking about a quality film production! From one review, "The story was faithful to the Bible but the film also created an imaginative background that allows us to envision the time in which Esther lived."

Netflix (Sorry, not streaming)

Amazon

And if you aren't crazy about the details, there is also the Veggie Tails version (I can't say I've seen it personally so I can't comment on the accuracy....).

Amazon

Chapter 19 - The Return Home

Ezra 1-6

Haggai 1-2,

Zechariah 1, 8

Before You Read - Background to the Reading: For the next three weeks, we will be reading about the time period after the Israelites exile in Babylon. It's a time period, to be honest with you, that I'm not very familiar with myself. Sure I've read these parts of the Bible before, but I just don't know them as well as other portions. Maybe it's because in school we always got to this part of the Old Testament right before summer break. Or maybe it's because there aren't the memorable miracles like Moses dividing the Red Sea or Elisha raising a person from the dead. Either way, I needed a bit of an overview. So here’s a helpful timeline:

At the very end of our reading last week, there was a new world power that had taken the stage: Persia. What had looked like the end of the story, we will hear this week was just the beginning. With a new sheriff in town, so to speak, the Israelites are going to have a chance to come home. After 70 years, things are going to be quite a bit different. You can just imagine the grandparents reminiscing during the trip home about "the good ol' days." We know things hadn't been that good before they left, but now there was a chance at a fresh start. That's exactly what we need sometimes: a fresh start.

Time to Slow it Down - Middle of page 266 after Commentary: Well the Israelites got right to work when they got home. No, things weren't as glamorous as the days of Solomon's Temple: you can just picture the chaos as some people cheer with excitement while others cry thinking how wimpy the new temple is compared to the old. Yet it was a step in the right direction: the people, moved by God's love, built a temple for his glory and offered him their first fruits. It was exactly the fresh start they needed. 

But soon the moment came to a screeching halt. The work on the temple slowed until nothing was happening. Is there a building project half finished that you drive by on a regular basis? What message do you get as you pass by? You can just imagine kids who remember walking by the temple ever since they were infants who are now teenagers, looking at the work just sitting idle. There are saws and boulders just lying there. What message did they get as they walked by?  But like lighter fluid on a campfire (which I do not recommend, for the record,) their desire was hot for a moment, but soon fizzled until all that was left was a smoldering pile. 

Can you relate? I can. How often I have started things with great zeal only to let them fall idle.  And what kind of a message did that give to you in 2012?  What I needed at the end of the year was a breeze: gentle breeze blowing on smoldering coals. The Holy Spirit was that breeze, working through the Word. As he spoke to the Jews in the days of Zerubbabel, he spoke to me and perhaps he speaks specifically to you as well.  He asks us what is really important. Then with his words of love he renews our zeal....

When You're Done Reading - Thoughts to Ponder:

Interesting how everything came together, isn't it? What spurred the people on to finish the temple? A little opposition! What got the people the supplies they needed? A little opposition! It's like the Lord had it all planned out...maybe that's because he did!

So have you hit opposition in your life? How did you respond? Even more importantly, have you encountered opposition in your faith life? Has someone challenged your faith or how you put your faith into action? Now is the time to put that faith to work! Sometimes when we face opposition or we struggle in our faith, we may feel like God is abandoning us. Yet as I look back in my life, it is usually those times that the Lord is using whatever challenge that I face as a catalyst to grow my faith. 

The doctrines of scripture that I've struggled with the most, are the very ones that I now run to for comfort when I feel my sin. For example, for a long time I struggled grasping how the Lord could work through water, bread, and wine in the Sacraments. My faith was challenged whenever I tried to rationalize how God could work through simple earthly things. Yet when I came to realize that what made these earthy things actual Means of Grace was God's promise connected to them, then the Sacraments became my source of comfort. Every time I go to the Lord's Supper or see a reminder of my baptism, I find peace in God's Grace in these Means of Grace. What doctrines have you struggled with? What truths of Scripture have you found yourself debating with friends or co-workers? Use these challenges as catalysts to dig into the Word.

The Lord wants us to be happy. But I've come to know that his primary goal isn't that we are happy just in this life, but that we have happiness forever with him in heaven. Sometimes he shakes us up a bit so that we re-focus our priorities. Sometimes the Lord needs to knock us on our backs for us to start looking up. Just as Jesus would be the greater glory that would someday fill the earthly city of Jerusalem, we have the promise that one day we will see Jesus' glory fill the eternal city of God in heaven.

Hymn of the Day/Prayer:

Words: Ge­org M. Pfef­fer­korn, 1667 ; trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Au­gust Crull, 1923.

What is the world to me,
With all its vaunted pleasure
When You, and You alone,
Lord Jesus, are my Treasure!
You only, dearest Lord,
My soul’s Delight shall be;
You are my Peace, my Rest—
What is the world to me? 


What is the world to me?
My Jesus is my Treasure,
My Life, my Health, my Wealth,
My Friend, my Love, my Pleasure,
My Joy, my Crown, my All,
My Bliss eternally.
Once more, then, I declare—
What is the world to me?

Chapter 17 - The Kingdom's Fall

2 Kings 21, 23-25

2 Chronicles 33, 36,
Jeremiah 1-2, 4-5, 13, 21
Lamentations 1-3, 5
Ezekiel 1-2, 6-7, 36-37

Introduction to the Reading: 

Have you ever seen an accident happen?  Perhaps it seemed like slow motion, but in just a second it’s over.  You remember certain details, but certain things you maybe don’t even notice. 

Today we are going to read about what you might call a train wreck. As you turn the pages, you can see it coming. The train is flying down the tracks, headed right for disaster, and you know what lies ahead, but there seems to be nothing to stop it. In fact, the Lord himself through the prophets tells with accuracy exactly what is going to happen, yet we are headed right towards disaster. 

While this chapter can be quite depressing, there is something that we can learn. Just like car makers and insurance companies watch accidents in slow motion and analyze data from car wrecks so that they can learn from them and hopefully prevent injuries in the future, we too can learn from the fall of Judah and take lessons for our lives. 

While You Read - Following the Timeline:

   Dates                               Prophets                                             Kings               World Powers

		NAHUM    (Destruction of Ninevah)		Manasseh ·       Son of Hezekiah ·       Restores idols, high places, Baal & Ashteroth, worship of stars, altars in temple, Moloch, astrology, and diviners ·       Every day killed some believers ·       Taken into captivity by Babylon; repents; freed and returns to Jerusalem ·       Removes idols; returns to worship of the Lord ·       Son Amon rules 2 years; wicked; killed by servants	Assyria
660 B.C.
	ZEPHANIAH (Repentance to Judah; eventual downfall of enemies; restoration)
640 B.C.				Josiah ·       Given crown by people at age 8; line of David ·       Faithful to the Lord ·       Purges ALL FORMS of idolatry in Judah and former Israel ·       Repairs temple; book of the Law found; Passover celebrated ·       Huldah prophecies that Jerusalem would be destroyed; Josiah would die young and be spared grief ·       Tries to prevents Egypt from aiding Assyria; killed in battle while young according to prophecy of Hulday ·       Lamentation of people ·       Jehoahaz made king by people; Imprisoned by Necho and dies in Egypt
			Huldah (prophetess; Josiah’s death)
620 B.C.	HABAKUK (Repentance to Judah)	JEREMIAH (Lamentations)			Babylon
				Jehoiakim ·       Made king and given name by Necho of Egypt ·       Evil ·       Paid tribute to Egypt and Babylon ·       Deported by Nebuchadnezzar ·       Son Jehoiachin briefly rules; invaded by Babylon; Royalty taken into captivity; temple plundered; made King of Babylon’s vassal; lamp of David flickering in Babylon
600 B.C.				Zedekiah ·       Son of Josiah ·       Made puppet king by Nebuchadnezzer ·       Plots against Babylon; warned by Jeremiah not to do so; attacked by Nebuchadnezzar; Jerusalem put under siege ·       Defeated; taken to Babylon; eyes plucked out ·       Judah destroyed and most inhabitants taken into captivity
	DANIEL (Prophet and Royal Advisor in Babylon)		EZEKIEL (Priest-prophet; dry bones and humongous temple)

586 B.C.

When You're Done Reading - Thoughts to Ponder:

Let’s review:

·                     Of the kings we read about, in your opinion, which was the worse? Why?

·                     What reasons did the prophets give as to why they weren't able to proclaim the word of the Lord? How did the Lord respond to each excuse? What excuses do you give?

·                     Of all the sins of the Jews, the trespass of which commandment did the prophets preach against the most in our lesson? Why do you think that is?

·                     If you had to pick portions of scripture that give comfort, what verses would they be? 

Prayer/Hymn:

By: Johann Franck

Lord, to you I make confession:
I have sinned and gone astray,
I have multiplied transgression,
Chosen for myself my way.
Led by you to see my errors,
Lord, I tremble at your terrors.

Though my conscience’ voice appall me,
Father, I will seek your face;
Though your child I dare not call me,
Yet receive me in your grace.
Do not for my sins for sake me;
Let your wrath not overtake me.

Your son came to suffer for me,
Gave himself to rescue me,
Died to heal me and restore me,
Reconciled and set me free.
Jesus’ cross alone can vanquish
These dark fears and soothe this anguish.

Lord, on you I cast my burden.
Sink it to the depths below.
Let me know your gracious pardon,
Wash me, make me white as snow.
Let your Spirit leave me never;
Make me only yours forever.