August 7, Reading Notes, Happy B’day, Helena

Ezra 5-6

As you read this, look at the charts I've given you links for. Ezra doesn't enter the story "real-time" until chapter seven, almost 60 years after the temple was completed. Pretty interesting, huh?

Ezra 5

Vs. 1-2 According to the Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC), both Haggai and Zechariah began speaking to the leaders in 520 BC. Although Ezra says that the reason the people stopped building the temple was the influence of the hostile neighbors, the prophets point to the people settling into comfort. The draughts they were experiencing were because they were not completing the temple.

An interesting note here is that these people had worshipped God in Babylon without a temple. The synagogue system came out of Babylon. A school of scribes and copies of the Bible came out of Babylon. God blessed them in Babylon. So, why did they need a temple, especially when the Persians didn't think it was a good idea?

When you think of this, remember how much emphasis Ezra put on David planning for the temple. There was a method to his madness.

Vs. 3-17 This is the opposition to Zerubbabel and Joshua building the temple. Tattenai writes this letter.

Ezra 6

Vs. 1-15 Cyrus was in his summer palace when he wrote the decree and it is amazing that they found it. They didn’t even have Google. I'm willing to bet Tattenai (the rat) wasn't too happy when he got this letter back from Darius I.

Vs. 16-22 They had been back in Jerusalem for 23 years when they dedicated the finished temple. According to the BKC, this Passover was 900 years after the first Passover in Egypt.

The points that seem to be important for Ezra have to do with the faith and obedience of the people hearing and responding to the Word of God, the favor given by the Persian rulers and the reestablishment of the temple worship of Israel.

1 Corinthians 3:5-23

Vs. 5-9 So, here is a "spiritual" understanding of the workers in the harvest.

Vs. 10-15 Here is a spiritual perspective on our work on this earth, on the foundation of Christ.

Vs. 16-17 Here is a spiritual perspective on who and what we really are.

Vs. 18-23 Here is a spiritual perspective on where our focus in life should be, on Christ and on God.

Psalm 29

It is suggested that the occasion for this psalm was David sitting on a mountain, watching a thunderstorm sweep over the land. The view of God's power and majesty might have inspired these words.

I can't find any song for this psalm but I'm happy to share my favorite video of God of Wonders.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CBNE25rtnE

Proverbs 20:26-27

The common element in both verses is the searching and winnowing. I'm challenged by Paul and the Spirit's emphasis on being more tuned to the Spirit, winnowing through the events of life and the words and actions of others, and searching to see what the Lord is doing.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.