Ezra 2:1-4:5
1 Chronicles 3:19b-24
What an exciting day! After seventy years, the first group of exiles
returned home to Judah and Jerusalem. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, who
was a descendant of King David, nearly 50,000 people, including Levites, Temple
singers, servants, and gatekeepers converged on the holy city. It had to have
been quite a sight to see!
By order of King Cyrus of Persia, the primary mission of this first
return was to rebuild the fallen Temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1, 2). As soon as the
people arrived, “some of the family leaders gave generously toward the
rebuilding of God’s Temple on its original site” (2:68). Once the people
settled in to their homes, the work began. The first thing they fixed was the Altar
of Offering, so that they could reinstate their daily and annual sacrifices.
The second step was repairing the foundation of the Temple. Once these
objectives were met, “All the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord! The
shouting could be heard far in the distance” (3:11, 12).
In the midst of the return, the rebuilding of the Temple, and the
celebration, two incidents occurred that are important to note. First, exiles
from other cities returned home as well. Some even claimed to be of priestly
lineage. However, they had lost their genealogical records and could not even
prove that their families were descendants of Israel. Therefore, Zerubbabel and
Jeshua, the High Priest, would not allow them to serve in the Temple (2:59-63).
Second, when the enemies of Judah heard that the people had returned
and that they were repairing the Temple, they came to Jerusalem “to join” them.
However, they were really there to derail the project by distracting and
discouraging the people. Zerubbabel and Jeshua saw through the ruse and refused
to let them help.
Daily Reflection
What is the significance of the fact that the Altar and Temple
foundation were the first priority of the people upon their return?
Did Zerubbabel make the right decision not allowing those who had lost
their records to serve in the Temple? Why or why not?
Did Zerubbabel and Jeshua make the right decision not allowing their
enemies to help in the Temple repairs? Why or why not?
Both of these incidents were the enemy’s way of stopping the
momentum of God’s people. They had finally been released from exile, they were excited to get
home and honor the Lord by rebuilding the Temple, and, immediately, their spiritual enemy
tried to stop them.
Satan and his evil hordes hate it when they see you get excited about
spiritual things. They will seek to derail, distract, or destroy your momentum
and
keep you from giving attention to God. Stay focused and don’t let them stop
you!
BiAY.org | Day 252 — 113 Days to Go
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