Ezra
7:1-8:20
Finally,
Ezra enters his own story today. Just as an overview, let me remind us of a
couple of things.
First,
Ezra will be leading a second “return” of people to Jerusalem, but this is a
full 80 years after the first return under Zerubbabel and 57 years after
Zerubbabel finished building the temple. Everything Ezra has written up until
now is review. Ezra will never meet Zerubbabel in Jerusalem or on earth.
Second,
Artaxerxes is the son of Xerxes (Ahasuerus). Xerxes is the guy who married a
young Jewish girl named Esther. Esther probably wasn’t Artaxerxes’ mother; but
Artaxerxes knows her and Mordecai well, and he has lived during the time God
saved the Jews through Esther. Xerxes, the father, issued a decree in all of
Persia that the Jews would be a favored people. This might explain some of his
upcoming actions.
Third,
Ezra’s king, Artaxerxes, had commanded that the work on the city be stopped. It
was stopped by force. I’ve speculated that this might have been during the time
that Xerxes, his father, was warring against the Greeks and Artaxerxes was in charge
of domestic affairs. Artaxerxes now seems very favorable toward Ezra and
allowing the Jews to worship in the temple, but not to rebuild the city. Still,
he seems impressed by Ezra. In fourteen years, Artaxerxes will have a very dear
and trusted cupbearer (probably like the head butler of his palace and
household security). Because of his love and trust for Nehemiah, he will send
him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Fourth,
Ezra’s main purpose for the book is about to begin. He has recapped the grace
of God in rebuilding the temple, now he will tell of the grace of God in saving
the people from corruption and enabling them to actually worship God at the
temple. In every generation, even today with us, God raises up leaders to
refocus His people on following Him in His purpose.
Remember
to look at the charts.
Ezra 7
Vs. 1-6
This is Ezra's genealogy. Notice the phrase regarding the hand of God, and see
how often you find it. Ezra was apparently a man of note. Notice that Ezra was
from Babylon. This might be important since Daniel and his friends were key
spiritual leaders in that area. Ezra would not have known Daniel, but he would
have been raised in the schools that Daniel and his friends brought into being.
Vs. 7-10
This is a summary of the trip. You can tell by the tone of what is said, that
the emphasis of this movement of people to Jerusalem would have very strong
spiritual overtones.
It is hard
to say when Artaxerxes actually stopped the rebuilding of Jerusalem. It was
certainly before this event with Ezra, since this was in his seventh year.
Actually, he also seems strangely and amazingly “favorable” to Ezra and to the
Jews and the spiritual emphasis of this mission. You wonder how Artaxerxes came
to hear of Ezra.
I’m just
speculating here. Usually a king co-reigned with his son, often for a decade or
more. Since Xerxes (Ahasuerus), Artaxerxes’ father, was busy holding parties
and losing 2 million men to the Greeks, Artaxerxes was probably taking care of
domestic matters. He could have issued the decree to stop the rebuilding of
Jerusalem during the Persian invasion of Greece and before all the problems of
the book of Esther. Then, when the events of Esther took place, this would have
been a major event in the entire Persian Empire that brought an end to Jewish
animosity and also brought great national favor to the Jews. After Esther, the
Jews became an honored people in Persia; and Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, became a
very important and trusted aide to Xerxes in Susa. I would think this would
account for the change in Artaxerxes's attitude. It was probably someone like
Mordecai who brought Ezra to the king's attention. Later, Artaxerxes will be
unusually kind to Nehemiah.
Vs. 11-26
This letter is a testimony to the grace of God. Once we read Daniel, a letter
like this will make much more sense. Verse 11 seems like the king's estimation
of Ezra. This entire letter was a binding, legal document in the Persian Empire
and could not be altered.
Vs. 21-24
All of this provision would be necessary to accomplish what Ezra had to do. If
the priests and Levites were to serve the people, they needed to be supported
with food and money. Notice that there were no taxes levied against the priests
or Levites. Their service and leadership in Israel was necessary, so they would
not be burdened. We'll see in the book of Nehemiah that supporting these men
was a major challenge.
Vs. 27-28
The question to ask is, “How did God put this into the heart of the king?”
Again, reading Daniel will give us some perspective on how active God was in
that mid-eastern world on behalf of His people. And too, the events of Esther
had occurred just before this. Through all of this history, the spiritually
perceptive saw the steadfast love of
the Lord guiding them through this time. Notice here that Ezra is now writing
himself into the narrative in the first person.
Ezra
8:1-20
Vs. 1-14
These are the people who went with Ezra. At this point, very few were Levites.
There would be about 4-5 thousand people going with Ezra. Notice that Ezra was
clearly the leader of this venture.
Vs. 15-20
Ezra had the company of travelers gather and camp north of Babylon. This way
they could organize and see who would be going, even to the point of checking
their genealogies. At this point, Ezra noted that there weren't many Levites.
The Levites had no possession in Israel and their primary ministry revolved
around the temple. They would be utterly dependent on the Lord and the
generosity and spiritual focus of God's people. For the Levites, poverty was
always around the corner. Following the Lord always takes faith.
For us as
disciples reading this, we need to be alert to the fact that God is always
working. In that ancient world, God was doing huge things behind the scenes. In
our world, in our lives, where we live, God is still working and doing things
we can’t see; but we should be looking for these things and expecting His
working as we follow Christ in the harvest. I think this is what abiding in
Christ means.
1
Corinthians 4
This is a
pretty cool chapter, especially when Paul “vents.” (No pun intended)
Vs. 1-5
Notice that Paul was being criticized and judged. Do you see how Paul politely
“fires back” at his critics? The critics were pointing out problems with Paul's
service and poisoning the minds of the Corinthians.
Vs. 6-7
Apparently Paul and Apollos had already discussed these matters of comparisons.
In chapter 16 Paul says that he tried to convince Apollos to visit Corinth, but
Apollos wasn’t for it. Both of them seem to have understood what the false
apostles were trying to do by creating pride in the hearts of the church
people.
What are
the things that are written that we go
beyond, that are meant to keep us from pride? Look at Romans 12:3. God
assigns us our faith and our gifts. The church in Corinth had lots of pride
because of the gifts, thinking they had superior insight. This pride affected
all areas of the life of the church.
Vs. 7-13
These are fantastic verses where, I think, Paul gets a little emotional. If you
want to try this, read the verses out loud several times and sort of act them
out, like you were in a movie. After a few times you get into them and get some
understanding for how Paul might have dictated them.
Apparently
the Corinthians were being told they were complete and no longer needed someone
like Paul. Paul wasn't ready to give up.
V. 9 The spectacle in view here is when Roman
soldiers marched their victims through the streets of Rome and led them into
the coliseum to their death for the entertainment of the spectators.
Vs. 11-13
This is a fantastic recruitment ad for becoming a disciple, following Christ in
the harvest. This is very close to what Jesus said His disciples would need to
live through. Although all of the eleven who were with Jesus are said to have
suffered martyrs’ deaths, Paul is the only one we see living the life of
suffering in following Christ. Much of Jesus' teaching to His disciples became
true and visible in Paul.
Vs. 14-21
You could read these verses out loud too.
V. 15 is
sort of sarcastic. Paul had begun this church and led many to Christ. These
other teachers put themselves forward as guides,
who were improving on what they said Paul had ineptly begun. They had countless guides in Christ, but only one father. In a perfect world, no one cares
for you like your father. Paul was their "father" as in the worker
who God used to bring the church to life, not in the sense of being their
priest. All believers were directed toward the Father, the Son and the Spirit.
V. 16 This
is one of two places in the letter where Paul will tell the people to imitate
him (11:1). As disciples, who make disciples, this should also be our charge to
those we lead. Our responsibility is to be mature in Christ and become
imitators of Christ.
V. 17 The
critics apparently went after Timothy. Notice the words, everywhere in every church. Back in chapter 1 Paul says something
like this, and there will be a few other mentions of churches everywhere. This
must have had something to do with an accusation against Paul, that he was
teaching them things he wasn't teaching elsewhere. The implication was that
Paul was holding them back. This is what the serpent told Eve in the garden,
that God was holding them back from being all that they could be.
Vs. 18-21
I wonder what that fight would have looked like. I'm sure writing this was no
fun for Paul.
Unfortunately,
what we are reading here is the “norm” for following our Lord in the harvest.
Most of the resistance and hindrance that I have seen has come from within the
church, not from outside. Part of being a proven disciple requires dealing with
the resistant and immature in the church, working through the church to reach
the lost and make disciples, who make disciples. Since the Lord doesn’t give us
the option of giving up on church, we need to allow our love for Christ and
obedience in following Him, to take us through the conflicts. We need to come
to the place where we find likeminded believers who we can work with to see
people saved and see disciples made.
Psalm
30
A couple
of things are interesting in this psalm. Notice that David alternates between
crying out to God and his desire to praise the Lord.
Vs. 1-3
This was probably written by David at the end of his life to be sung at the
dedication of the temple. David did a lot of preparation for the temple, so
having his praise heard at that event meant writing this song of testimony. In
his long years as king he had many remembrances of God's deliverance during the
long years of running and hiding. David had sinned and failed people around
him, yet his heart's passion was to exalt and praise God publicly.
Vs. 4-5
This is the summary of David's life with the Lord, waiting for His deliverance
and learning of His steadfast love.
Vs. 6-10
David did become comfortable. The last instance of this led him to number the
people and bring judgment down on his people. Yet through all of his problems,
God forgave and saved him.
V. 9 This
“logic” is used several times in Psalms. It’s like, “How can I praise your name
among men when I’m dead. You wouldn’t want that to happen, would you? So save
me!”
Vs. 11-12
are the high point and v. 12 really should be at the heart of every disciple.
Our glory is to sing His praise for His mercy, steadfast love and deliverance.
Proverbs
20:28-30
How would
you put all three of these verses together?
I see steadfast love as something that is
proven to us by God over all the years of our crying out and learning to wait
on Him. That comes with experience, time, and maturity, and hopefully with age.
Young men can glory in their strength and endurance, but maturity with Christ
brings a different kind of strength and endurance. We learn to appreciate the
rebuke and allow it to tame our rebellious hearts and the body of death so that
we can follow Christ better.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year
Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't
work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/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 complete description of this model
of being and making disciples you can find it in my book: Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
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.
Send comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.
If you would like documents containing an entire month
of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download
these to use on your computer or to print.
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