Ezra 3:1-5 Building the altars

 Good morning, well, I am back again.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!

   The Israelites had the money to start rebuilding the temple.  It was important for them to put their resources to best use.

  3 And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.   2 Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.

  The children of Israel were in the cities.  As their first official act they built an altar to GOD.  This was a symbol of GOD's presence and protection.  This also showed their commitment to serve GOD.  Zerubbabel offered burnt offering as the law of Moses stated in Levitius 1-7.

   3 And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the Lord, even burnt offerings morning and evening.   

  The Jews were weary of the people here.  They were a mixed group of people that the Assyrians had conquered in years past.  However, this did not stop them from building the altar and serving GOD.

  4 They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;

  This Festival of Shelters lasted seven days.  The people lived in whatever they could, tents, lean-tos, booths, or......  This was just as their ancestors had done during their trek through the wilderness.  This festival reminded them of Gods past protection and guidance in the wilderness and His continued love for them.

  5 And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the Lord that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the Lord.

  The exiles built an altar just after arriving in the new land.  The people began worshipping GOD through sacrifices even before the Temple foundation was started.  After years of captivity they learned the importance of obeying God from the heart and not just out of habit. 

  This too we must learn.  We must stay close to GOD and keep HIM as our top priority.  Thank you for reading with me. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

 

Ezra 2:64-70 Last info until rebuilding Temple

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!

  Ezra - when going back to rebuild the temple a lot of energy, materials, and effort was in place.  Here, today, we'll look at the final items brought, and then where some of the people settled.

  Ezra 2: 64 The whole company numbered 42,360, 65 besides their 7,337 male and female slaves; and they also had 200 male and female singers. 66 They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 67 435 camels and 6,720 donkeys.

        68 When they arrived at the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site. 69 According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 darics[a] of gold, 5,000 minas[b] of silver and 100 priestly garments.

     70 The priests, the Levites, the musicians, the gatekeepers and the temple servants settled in their own towns, along with some of the other people, and the rest of the Israelites settled in their towns.

  42,360 people returned, plus over 7 thousand servants and 200 singers.  Then you look at the animals taken: horse, mules, donkeys, and camels.  This was definitely a large critical movement.

  The money was given to start rebuilding the Temple.  The people put what resources they had to their best use. They were excited and dedicated to the rebuilding of the Temple.  Everyone who contributed did so of his/her own freewill.  They offered money, support, or their ability to rebuild.  They people were so dedicated to the Temple that they gave all they could whether it be resources, ability, or other support.

   It would be great if America's Christians gave all to the LORD and we could see a revival as was done at the 2023 Asbury revival and with these Israelites.

  Today, say an encouraging word to someone, offer assistance to someone, or in some way share the good news you have as a Christian.

   Thank you for reading with me today.  Next, in Chapter 3 we will look at the rebuilding of the altar.  Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Ezra 2:59-63 More descendants? Let's see----

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

  Enjoying Ezra?  It is difficult, but I am learning something from it; hopefully you will gain some insight as well.

  Ezra 2:59 The following came up from the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon and Immer, but they could not show that their families were descended from Israel:

60 The descendants of Delaiah, Tobiah and Nekoda 652

61 And from among the priests:The descendants of Hobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai (a man who had married a daughter of  Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by that name). 62 These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and  so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 63 The governor ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food until there was a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim. 

Back in these days, to the Hebrew people, genealogies were important credentials.  One had to prove they descended from Abraham, if they could not, then they were not considered "true Jews".  Because of this they would be excluded from the Jewish community life and rituals.  

   Some privileges were restricted to certain tribes, like the Levites. They were the only ones to serve in the Temple.

   Looking at verse 63, the governor, most likely Zerubbabel, told them not to eat any of the  most sacred food until there was a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim.

   The sacred food was the priests' share of meat that was sacrificed on the altar.

 Okay, what is the Urim and Thummim?  These were probably the sacred lots and carried by the priest in the garment he wore.  They were used to determine God's will in important matters.

   So, if your head is buzzing as is mine we'll go on tomorrow talking about how many people, men and women, livestock and servants and singers they carried. Also, donations in preparing to build the temple.

   Whew-----so many "begats" it is hard to follow.  Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny