OUR FATHER WHOSE FAVOR STEAMLINED EZRAˋS JOURNEY BACKHOME

The book of Ezra chapter 7 verses 1  -  10 documents the departure of a scholar of the law from Babylon along with a contingent of priests, singers, gatekeepers and assistants. 

Ezra, who is the writer of this book of Ezra, begins this passsage by documenting his own lineage back to Aaron the high priest of Israel during the time of Moses.

He then gives a timeline of his departure of from Babylon and his arrival in Jerusalem;

• Left Babylon - 1st day of the 1st month of the 7th year of the reign of Artaxerxes
• Arrived Jerusalem - 1st day of the fifth month of the 7th year of the reign of Artaxerxes

1 After these events, during the reign of Artaxerxes, king of Persia, Ezra, son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, 2 son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub, 3 son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth, 4 son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, 5 son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron, the high priest— 6 this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a scribe, well-versed in the law of Moses given by the Lord, the God of Israel. The king granted him all that he requested, because the hand of the Lord, his God, was over him.

7 Some of the Israelites and some priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants also came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. 8 Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month of that seventh year of the king. 9 On the first day of the first month he began the journey up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he arrived at Jerusalem, for the favoring hand of his God was over him. 10 Ezra had set his heart on the study and practice of the law of the Lord and on teaching statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Amen.

10

OUR FATHER WHO CAUSED THE KING OF ASSYRIA TO SHOW FAVOR TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL

The book of Ezra chapter 6 verses 13 - 22 describes the progress that the children of Israel were able to make ni the construction of the temple after king Darius gave them authorization to proceed. They finished the building portion and innuagurated the temple with a joyful dedication and the regulated time for feasts and sacrifices began again.

13 Then Tattenai, the governor of West-of-Euphrates, and Shethar-bozenai, and their fellow officials carried out with all diligence the instructions King Darius had sent them. 14 The elders of the Jews continued to make progress in the building, supported by the message of the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, son of Iddo. They finished the building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus and Darius, and of Artaxerxes, king of Persia. 15 They completed this house on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. 16 The Israelites—priests, Levites, and the other returned exiles—celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. 17 For the dedication of this house of God, they offered one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, and four hundred lambs, together with twelve he-goats as a sin offering for all Israel, in keeping with the number of the tribes of Israel. 18 Finally, they set up the priests in their classes and the Levites in their divisions for the service of God in Jerusalem, as is prescribed in the book of Moses.

19 The returned exiles kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. 20 The Levites, every one of whom had purified himself for the occasion, sacrificed the Passover for all the exiles, for their colleagues the priests, and for themselves. 21 The Israelites who had returned from the exile and all those who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the Gentiles in the land shared in it, seeking the Lord, the God of Israel. 22 They joyfully kept the feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days, for the Lord had filled them with joy by making the king of Assyria favorable to them, so that he gave them help in their work on the house of God, the God of Israel.

The Lord filled His people with joy because of the great favour that the king of Assyria had shown to them.

Amen.

1

 OUR FATHER WHOSE RECIEVES THE SACRIFICES OF HIS PEOPLE AS A PLEASING FRAGRANCE

The book of Ezra chapter 6 verses 1 - 12 records the response of king Darius to the letter that was delivered to him concerning the activities of the children of Israel related to rebuilding the temple of God.  As the letter he received had proposed, he launched a search for the original orders issues by king Cyrus. 

A document was found in the province of Media that confirmed the decree of Cyrus that authorized the release of the children of Israel from captivity and their return to their homeland with all the impliments and utensils that were taken from their temple.

Upon discovering this, King Darius re-affirmed the decree by King Cyrus and permitted the children to continue with their construction work and the complete return of any of the inventory that was placed upon them.

1 Thereupon King Darius issued an order to search the archives in which the treasures were stored in Babylon. 2 However, a scroll was found in Ecbatana, the stronghold in the province of Media, containing the following text: “Memorandum. 3 In the first year of his reign, King Cyrus issued a decree: With regard to the house of God in Jerusalem: the house is to be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices and bringing burnt offerings. Its height is to be sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits. 4 It shall have three courses of cut stone for each one of timber. The costs are to be borne by the royal house. 5 Also, let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple of Jerusalem and brought to Babylon be sent back; let them be returned to their place in the temple of Jerusalem and deposited in the house of God.”

6 “Now, therefore, Tattenai, governor of West-of-Euphrates, and Shethar-bozenai, and you, their fellow officials in West-of-Euphrates, stay away from there. 7 Let the governor and the elders of the Jews continue the work on that house of God; they are to rebuild it on its former site. 8 I also issue this decree concerning your dealing with these elders of the Jews in the rebuilding of that house of God: Let these men be repaid for their expenses, in full and without delay from the royal revenue, deriving from the taxes of West-of-Euphrates, so that the work not be interrupted. 9 Whatever else is required—young bulls, rams, and lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the requirements of the priests who are in Jerusalem—let that be delivered to them day by day without fail, 10 that they may continue to offer sacrifices of pleasing odor to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons. 11 I also issue this decree: if any man alters this edict, a beam is to be taken from his house, and he is to be lifted up and impaled on it; and his house is to be reduced to rubble for this offense. 12 And may the God who causes his name to dwell there overthrow every king or people who may undertake to alter this decree or to destroy this house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, have issued this decree; let it be diligently executed.”

Amen

30

OUR FATHER WHOSE SERVANTS ACKNOWLEDGE HIS AS THE GOD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH

The book of Ezra chapter 5 verses 7 - 17 carries the letter that the governor of the Persian province adjacent to Judah sent to King Darius to alert him of the activities of the children of Israel and to elicit a response from him.

7 “To King Darius, all good wishes! 8 Let it be known to the king that we have visited the province of Judah and the house of the great God: it is being rebuilt of cut stone and the walls are being reinforced with timber; the work is being carried out diligently, prospering under their hands. 9 We then questioned the elders, addressing to them the following words: ‘Who issued the decree for you to build this house and complete this edifice?’ 10 We also asked them their names, in order to give you a list of the men who are their leaders. 

11 This was their answer to us: ‘We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the house built here many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and completed. 12 But because our ancestors provoked the wrath of the God of heaven, he delivered them into the power of the Chaldean, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, who destroyed this house and exiled the people to Babylon. 13 However, in the first year of Cyrus, king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree for the rebuilding of this house of God. 14 Moreover, the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem and carried off to the temple in Babylon, King Cyrus ordered to be removed from the temple in Babylon, and they were given to a certain Sheshbazzar, whom he named governor. 15 He commanded him: Take these vessels and deposit them in the temple of Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its former site. 16 Then this same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the house of God in Jerusalem. Since that time to the present the building has been going on, and is not yet completed.’ 17 Now, if it please the king, let a search be made in the royal archives of Babylon to discover whether a decree really was issued by King Cyrus for the rebuilding of this house of God in Jerusalem. And may the king’s decision in this matter be communicated to us.”

Amen.

30

 OUR FATHER WHO SENT PROPHETS TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF HIS PEOPLE

Ezra chapter 5 verses 1 - 4 catures a change in the attitude of the children of Israel when the prophets Haggai and Zechariah began to prophecy. Despite having stopped building the temple in Jerusalem due to harrassment by the surrounding juridictions, they tooks courage under the words of the prophets and began building in earnest.

This resumption of construction caught the attention fo the Governor of the West Euphrates zone he came to the building team and demanded to see the permit they had to build.

The children of Israel kept building and they informed that they were building they were building the temple of the God of heave and of the earth and that they were given permission by King Cyrus to build the city and the temple. 

1 Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, son of Iddo, began to prophesy to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel. 2 Thereupon Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua, son of Jozadak, began again to build the house of God in Jerusalem, with the prophets of God giving them support. 3 At that time Tattenai, governor of West-of-Euphrates, came to them, along with Shethar-bozenai, and their fellow officials, and asked of them: “Who issued the decree for you to build this house and complete this edifice? 4 What are the names of the men who are building this structure?” 5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, and they were not delayed during the time a report went to Darius and a written order came back concerning this matter.

6 A copy of the letter which Tattenai, governor of West-of-Euphrates, along with Shethar-bozenai and their fellow officials from West-of-Euphrates, sent to King Darius; 7 they sent him a report in which was written the following:

The next portion of this chapter is the letter that the Governor wrote back to king Darius reporting the activities that he saw in Judah and what response was given by the team that was overseeing the construction. We shall look at this letter next.

Amen.

10

 OUR FATHER WHO HOUSE WAS TO BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER

The book of Ezra in the second half of chapter 4 contains the letter the was written to  King Artaxeres about the activeity of the Jews as well as the responding letter that King Arterxerxes wrote back.

The letter to King Artaxerxes informed him that they were already completing the walls of Jerusalem and that they were almost done the foundation.  The letter went on to warn the king that shortly, once the city walls were complete, the inhabitants would rebel against his authority and refuse to pay the alloted revenue to his kingdom.

The writers argued that they were obligated to warn the king of this matter because they were beneficiaries of the kings largess and did not want to remain silent while a threat against their benefactor was formenting as they got close to building a highly defencible position.

11“To King Artaxerxes, your servants, the men of West-of-Euphrates, as follows: 12 Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have arrived at Jerusalem and are now rebuilding this rebellious and evil city. They are completing its walls, and the foundations have already been laid. 13 Now let it be known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls completed, they will no longer pay taxes, tributes, or tolls; eventually the throne will be harmed. 14 Now, since we eat the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to look on while the king is being dishonored, we have sent this message to inform the king, 15 so that inquiry may be made in the historical records of your fathers. In the historical records you will discover and verify that this is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces; its people have been acting seditiously there since ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed. 16 We therefore inform the king, that if this city is rebuilt and its walls completed again, you will thereupon not have a portion in the province West-of-Euphrates.”

17 The king sent this answer: “To Rehum, the governor, Shimshai, the scribe, and their fellow officials living in Samaria and elsewhere in the province West-of-Euphrates, greetings: 18 The communication which you sent us has been read in translation in my presence. 19 When at my command inquiry was made, it was verified that from ancient times this city has risen up against kings and that rebellion and sedition have been fostered there. 20 Powerful kings once ruled in Jerusalem who controlled all West-of-Euphrates, and taxes, tributes, and tolls were paid to them. 21 Give orders, therefore, to stop these men. This city may not be rebuilt until a further decree has been issued by me. 22 Take care that you do not neglect this matter. Why should evil increase to harm the throne?”

23 As soon as a copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter had been read before Rehum, the governor, Shimshai, the scribe, and their fellow officials, they immediately went to the Jews in Jerusalem and stopped their work by force of arms. 24 As a result, work on the house of God in Jerusalem ceased. This interruption lasted until the second year of the reign of Darius, king of Persia.

The king Artaxerxes, upon reading the letter, replied to those who sent it say that his research confirmed that the city of Jerusalem had a long track-record of sedition and rebellion against those who ruled over it. He therefore gave orders for the governor of the adjacent region to stop the builders from completing the the city wall. 

Immediately the officials got the official documents documents, they went to the construction site o the Temple of God with the cease and desist letter and a troop of armed men and put a stop to the building effort of the children of Israel

Construction came to a grinding halt and was in limbo for until the second year of Darius the king of Persia.

Amen.

6

 OUR FATHER WHO MUST BE WORSHIPPED IN SPIRIT AND IN  TRUTH

The book of Ezra contnues in chapter with a description of the discouragement that the children of Israel were subjected to by the people in the surrounding areas.

The enemies of Judah and Benjamin offered to build the temple because they claimed to have been seeking Him and that they had sacrificed to Him.  Zerubbabel and Jeshua declined the offer knowing that a temple buit by their enemies would be in the service of the kingdom of darkness.

In response to the declination, the surrounding nations began subotaging the efforts of Judah but intimidating the builder and using bribery and corruption to put up road-blocks around their contruction projects. They even wrote accusatory letters against the children of Israel to the kings of the persian empire.

1 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of ancestral houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we seek your God just as you do, and we have sacrificed to him since the days of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, who brought us here.” 3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of ancestral houses of Israel answered them, “It is not your responsibility to build with us a house for our God, but we alone must build it for the Lord, the God of Israel, as Cyrus king of Persia has commanded us.” 4 Thereupon the local inhabitants discouraged the people of Judah and frightened them off from building. 5 They also bribed counselors to work against them and to frustrate their plans during all the years of Cyrus, king of Persia, and even into the reign of Darius, king of Persia.

6 In the reign of Ahasuerus, at the beginning of his reign, they prepared a written accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

7 Again, in the time of Artaxerxes, Tabeel and the rest of his fellow officials, in concert with Mithredath, wrote to Artaxerxes, king of Persia. The document was written in Aramaic and was accompanied by a translation.

8 Then Rehum, the governor, and Shimshai, the scribe, wrote the following letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes: 9 “Rehum, the governor, Shimshai, the scribe, and their fellow officials, judges, legates, and agents from among the Persians, Urukians, Babylonians, Susians (that is, Elamites), 10 and the other peoples whom the great and illustrious Osnappar transported and settled in the city of Samaria and elsewhere in the province West-of-Euphrates, as follows….” 11 This is a copy of the letter that they sent to him:

A letter was compliled to lodge a complaint against the children of Israelˋs work in rebuilding the temple.

Next, we shall look at a letter that is included in the fourth chapter of Ezra that carried the complaint to King Artaxerxes designed to thwart their efforts to build the temple.

Amen,

10

OUR FATHER WHO REVEALS HIS INTENTIONS TO HIS PROPHETS

The Lord is preparing us to be a template for the new work He is doing in the earth.We are an embryo forming in a womb. Just an actual embryo is fearfully and wonderfully made, so are we being wonderfully made into Christ's image.

Just as God showed kindness, compassion and forgiveness to us, we will reflect kindness, compassion and forgiveness for one another.

Isaiah 54.

Ezra 1 - 4

He says: I will bring all my people who were mine but were in captivity back home. Enlarge your tents for the people will start and have already started pouring in and you will be examples of love for one another that will universally apply to those joining Uchurch.

Naomi was in Moab in coming back home and she is bringing Ruth.

Jacob is coming back home and he is bringing Leah and Rachel and all the children.

Watch for counterfeit activity and be diligent in seeking Me so that you are not swept up in every wind of doctirine.

Continue to love one another giving each other kindness, compassion and forgiving one another just as in Christ, God forgave you.

Continue to pray for My people who I am bringing back from captivity in Babylon that my power shall heal them and restore them.

Isaiah 54: NIV

1 “Sing, barren woman,

    you who never bore a child;

burst into song, shout for joy,

    you who were never in labor;

because more are the children of the desolate woman

    than of her who has a husband,”

says the Lord.

2 “Enlarge the place of your tent,

    stretch your tent curtains wide,

    do not hold back;

lengthen your cords,

    strengthen your stakes.

3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left;

    your descendants will dispossess nations

    and settle in their desolate cities.

4 “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.

    Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.

You will forget the shame of your youth

    and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

5 For your Maker is your husband—

    the Lord Almighty is his name—

the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;

    he is called the God of all the earth.

6 The Lord will call you back

    as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—

a wife who married young,

    only to be rejected,” says your God.

7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you,

    but with deep compassion I will bring you back.

8 In a surge of anger

    I hid my face from you for a moment,

but with everlasting kindness

    I will have compassion on you,”

    says the Lord your Redeemer.

9 “To me this is like the days of Noah,

    when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.

So now I have sworn not to be angry with you,

    never to rebuke you again.

10 Though the mountains be shaken

    and the hills be removed,

yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken

    nor my covenant of peace be removed,”

    says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

11 “Afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted,

    I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise,

    your foundations with lapis lazuli.

12 I will make your battlements of rubies,

    your gates of sparkling jewels,

    and all your walls of precious stones.

13 All your children will be taught by the Lord,

    and great will be their peace.

14 In righteousness you will be established:

Tyranny will be far from you;

    you will have nothing to fear.

Terror will be far removed;

    it will not come near you.

15 If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing;

    whoever attacks you will surrender to you.

16 “See, it is I who created the blacksmith

    who fans the coals into flame

    and forges a weapon fit for its work.

And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc;

17     no weapon forged against you will prevail,

    and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,

    and this is their vindication from me,”

declares the Lord.

 OUR FATHER WHO RESTORED HIS PEOPLE TO HIMSELF OUT OF CAPTIVITY

The book of Ezra chapter 3 tells of how the Isrelites, seven months after settling in their cities, gathered in Jersalem and the priests, led by Jeshua  and Zerubbabel, began with the buiding of the altar upon which the sacrifices of the law of  Moses started again.  

Out of the fear of the peoples around them, they sacrified morning and evening and kept the feasts and all the festivals that were sacred to the Lord. 

1 Now when the seventh month came, after the Israelites had settled in their cities, the people gathered as one in Jerusalem. 2 Then Jeshua, son of Jozadak, together with his kinsmen the priests, and Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, together with his kinsmen, began building the altar of the God of Israel in order to offer on it the burnt offerings prescribed in the law of Moses, the man of God. 3 They set the altar on its foundations, for they lived in fear of the peoples of the lands, and offered burnt offerings to the Lord on it, both morning and evening. 4 They also kept the feast of Booths in the manner prescribed, and they offered the daily burnt offerings in the proper number required for each day. 5 Thereafter they offered regular burnt offerings, the sacrifices prescribed for the new moons and all the festivals sacred to the Lord, and those which anyone might bring as a voluntary offering to the Lord.

6 From the first day of the seventh month they reinstituted the burnt offering to the Lord, though the foundation of the Lord’s temple had not yet been laid. 7 Then they hired stonecutters and carpenters, and sent food and drink and oil to the Sidonians and Tyrians that they might ship cedar trees from the Lebanon to the port of Joppa, as Cyrus, king of Persia, had authorized. 

After seven months of these scrifices and a year and two months after leaving captivity, Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the priest from the house of Levi began the preparations for building the temple by appointing the Levites who would oversee the construction.

As the foundation was being laid by the buiders, the priests dressed in the priestly garments and with trumpets and cymbals, gave thanks and praised the Lord in the manner established by the example of king David and they sang “for he is good, for his love for Israel endures forever” which came from Psalm 136.

8 In the year after their coming to the house of  God in Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua, son of Jozadak, together with the rest of their kinsmen, the priests and Levites and all who had come from the captivity to Jerusalem, began by appointing the Levites twenty years of age and over to supervise the work on the house of the Lord. 

9 Jeshua and his sons and kinsmen, with Kadmiel and Binnui, son of Hodaviah, and their sons and their kindred, the Levites, together undertook to supervise those who were engaged in the work on the house of God. 10 While the builders were laying the foundation of the Lord’s temple, the priests in their vestments were stationed with trumpets and the Levites, sons of Asaph, with cymbals to praise the Lord in the manner laid down by David, king of Israel. 11 They alternated in songs of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, “for he is good, for his love for Israel endures forever”; and all the people raised a great shout of joy, praising the Lord because the foundation of the Lord’s house had been laid. 12 Many of the priests, Levites, and heads of ancestral houses, who were old enough to have seen the former house, cried out in sorrow as they watched the foundation of the present house being laid. Many others, however, lifted up their voices in shouts of joy. 13 No one could distinguish the sound of the joyful shouting from the sound of those who were weeping; for the people raised a mighty clamor which was heard far away.

As the foundation was being buit, those who were old enough to have seen the original temple were in tears because the glory of the temple they were building was much smaller than the temple built by king Solomon. Other however shouted in joy because the temple was actually being buit by the providence of God and cheerful exclamations of Joy dorwned out the tears of those who wept.

Amen.

10

 OUR FATHER WHO WILL GATHER  HIS PEOPLE OUT OF CAPTIVITY

Ezra chapter 2 is a accounting of all the returned exiles and represents the detailed listings of people that the Lord will gather back to His people. Each person will be accounted for and no name shall be missing.

1 These are the inhabitants of the province who returned from the captivity of the exiles, whom Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had carried away to Babylon, and who came back to Jerusalem and Judah, to their various cities 2 (those who returned with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah):

The census of the people of Israel: 3 descendants of Parosh, two thousand one hundred and seventy-two; 4 descendants of Shephatiah, three hundred and seventy-two; 5 descendants of Arah, seven hundred and seventy-five; 6 descendants of Pahath-moab, who were descendants of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve; 7 descendants of Elam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four; 8 descendants of Zattu, nine hundred and forty-five; 9 descendants of Zaccai, seven hundred and sixty; 10 descendants of Bani, six hundred and forty-two; 11 descendants of Bebai, six hundred and twenty-three; 12 descendants of Azgad, one thousand two hundred and twenty-two; 13 descendants of Adonikam, six hundred and sixty-six; 14 descendants of Bigvai, two thousand and fifty-six; 15 descendants of Adin, four hundred and fifty-four; 16 descendants of Ater, who were descendants of Hezekiah, ninety-eight; 17 descendants of Bezai, three hundred and twenty-three; 18 descendants of Jorah, one hundred and twelve; 19 descendants of Hashum, two hundred and twenty-three; 20 descendants of Gibeon, ninety-five; 21 descendants of Bethlehem, one hundred and twenty-three; 22 people of Netophah, fifty-six; 23 people of Anathoth, one hundred and twenty-eight; 24 people of Beth-azmaveth, forty-two; 25 people of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty-three; 26 people of Ramah and Geba, six hundred and twenty-one; 27 people of Michmas, one hundred and twenty-two; 28 people of Bethel and Ai, two hundred and twenty-three; 29 descendants of Nebo, fifty-two; 30 descendants of Magbish, one hundred and fifty-six; 31 descendants of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four; 32 descendants of Harim, three hundred and twenty; 33 descendants of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred and twenty-five; 34 descendants of Jericho, three hundred and forty-five; 35 descendants of Senaah, three thousand six hundred and thirty.

36 The priests: descendants of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred and seventy-three; 37 descendants of Immer, one thousand and fifty-two; 38 descendants of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred and forty-seven; 39 descendants of Harim, one thousand and seventeen.

40 The Levites: descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the descendants of Hodaviah, seventy-four.

41 The singers: descendants of Asaph, one hundred and twenty-eight.

42 The gatekeepers: descendants of Shallum, descendants of Ater, descendants of Talmon, descendants of Akkub, descendants of Hatita, descendants of Shobai, one hundred and thirty-nine in all.

43 The temple servants: descendants of Ziha, descendants of Hasupha, descendants of Tabbaoth, 44 descendants of Keros, descendants of Siaha, descendants of Padon, 45 descendants of Lebanah, descendants of Hagabah, descendants of Akkub, 46 descendants of Hagab, descendants of Shamlai, descendants of Hanan, 47 descendants of Giddel, descendants of Gahar, descendants of Reaiah, 48 descendants of Rezin, descendants of Nekoda, descendants of Gazzam, 49 descendants of Uzza, descendants of Paseah, descendants of Besai, 50 descendants of Asnah, descendants of the Meunites, descendants of the Nephusites, 51 descendants of Bakbuk, descendants of Hakupha, descendants of Harhur, 52 descendants of Bazluth, descendants of Mehida, descendants of Harsha, 53 descendants of Barkos, descendants of Sisera, descendants of Temah, 54 descendants of Neziah, descendants of Hatipha.

55 Descendants of Solomon’s servants: descendants of Sotai, descendants of Hassophereth, descendants of Peruda, 56 descendants of Jaalah, descendants of Darkon, descendants of Giddel, 57 descendants of Shephatiah, descendants of Hattil, descendants of Pochereth-hazzebaim, descendants of Ami. 58 The total of the temple servants together with the descendants of Solomon’s servants was three hundred and ninety-two.

59 The following who returned from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer were unable to prove that their ancestral houses and their descent were Israelite: 60 descendants of Delaiah, descendants of Tobiah, descendants of Nekoda, six hundred and fifty-two. 61 Also, of the priests: descendants of Habaiah, descendants of Hakkoz, descendants of Barzillai (he had married one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was named after him). 62 These searched their family records, but their names could not be found there, and they were excluded from the priesthood. 63 The governor ordered them not to partake of the most holy foods until there should be a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim.

64 The entire assembly taken together came to forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty, 65 not counting their male and female servants, who numbered seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven. They also had two hundred male and female singers. 66 Their horses numbered seven hundred and thirty-six, their mules two hundred and forty-five, 67 their camels four hundred and thirty-five, their donkeys six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

68 When they arrived at the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the heads of ancestral houses made voluntary offerings for the house of God, to rebuild it in its place. 69 According to their means they contributed to the treasury for the temple service: sixty-one thousand drachmas of gold, five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priestly robes. 70 The priests, the Levites, and some of the people took up residence in Jerusalem; the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants settled in their cities. Thus all the Israelites settled in their cities.

Amen.

10

 OUR FATHER WHO SAVED HIS PEOPLE FROM BONDAGE

Our study in the book of Ezra, begins with  the children of Israel being released from captivity in Babylon by king Cyrus and returning back  to the land of Judah.

The prophet Jeremiah had proclaimed a prophecy of the captivity of Israel for a season and that they would return to to the land of Israel. Unknown to the the children of Israel, Cyrus was being positioned by God so that he would arrive in Babylon at the appointed time so that he could affect release to return back home.

Cyrus, having encountered the God of Heaven when he found the prophecies about him where he was refered directly by name, he was eager to participate in the freeing of the children of Israel and he funded their rebuilding projects and gave them offerings to get their nation going again.

1 In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom, both by word of mouth and in writing: 2 “Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia: ‘All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord, the God of heaven, has given to me, and he has charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Those among you who belong to any part of his people, may their God be with them! Let them go up to Jerusalem in Judah to build the house of the Lord the God of Israel, that is, the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 Let all those who have survived, in whatever place they may have lived, be assisted by the people of that place with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, together with voluntary offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem.’”

5 Then the heads of ancestral houses of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and Levites—everyone, that is, whose spirit had been stirred up by God—prepared to go up to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. 6 All their neighbors gave them help in every way, with silver, gold, goods, livestock, and many precious gifts, besides all their voluntary offerings. 7 King Cyrus, too, had the vessels of the house of the Lord brought forth that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem and placed in the house of his god. 8 Cyrus, king of Persia, had them brought forth by the treasurer Mithredath, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar, prince of Judah. 9 This was the inventory: baskets of goldware, thirty; baskets of silverware, one thousand and twenty-nine; 10 golden bowls, thirty; silver bowls, four hundred and ten; other vessels, one thousand. 11 Total of the gold and silver vessels: five thousand four hundred. All these Sheshbazzar took with him when the exiles were brought up from Babylon to Jerusalem.

The Lord God of Israel stirred the heads of the houses of Judah and Benjamin to prepare to return to their land and they were assisted by their neighbours with silver, gold, dry goods, livestock and precious items. King Cyrus also returned to them the inventory of stoneware, silverware and goldware along with the utensils that king Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple when he invaded Judah and took the people captive.

Amen.

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 OUR FATHER WHO IS ABLE TO KEEP US FROM STUMBLING

Judeˋs letter continues in verses 12 - 25 to speak of those who were infiltrating their ranks and bringing with them ungodliness.

They are described as contameyinants in the gatherings of love where they participate with selfish impunity. These agents of darkness are desccribed as clouds without water. They present themselves as christians who would bring blessing to others but instead deliver deliver nothing for they devour from others rather than give.

Another metaphor used by Jude to describe the infiltrators is that they are like rootless trees out of season that have no fruit and are dead in soul and in spirit. They are as waves that bluster and rage with foam representing their shame. Most frighteningly, they are represented as wandering planets whose ultimate end is to eternally stagnate in outer darkness.

Jude invokes an ancient prophecy by Enoch speaking of those who entered the body of believers under false pretences  which speaks of the Lord returning with a great number of His saints to bring judgement upon those who were ungodly and spoke harshly against God.

12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

Jude lists the characteristics of those in this category as grumblers, complainers, lustful, talkers, flatterers,  mockers, worldly and divisive. 

Conversely, true believers are counseled to pray in the Holy Spirit and remain ensconsed in the love of God seeking His mercy that receives them into eternal life. Jude instructs the sincere believers to be compassionate towards those in their midst who were lost and to try to get them saved with fear while at the same time keeping well clear of  their defilements to avoid contaminating themselves.

20 o you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,

And to present you faultless

Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

25 To God our Savior,

Who alone is wise,

Be glory and majesty,

Dominion and power,

Both now and forever.

Amen.

Jude ends his letter with a blessing of joy o the true believers when they will be presented faultless before the glory of the only wise God to whom be glory and majesty and dominion and power in the present and for eternity,

Amen

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OUR FATHER WHO SAVES THOSE WHO BELIEVE UNTO SALVATION

Jude continues in verses 5 - 11 to dig deeper into the implications of letting rebellious teachers of false doctrine and a false Christ into their midst. 

He warns them from the scriptures that even after the Lord had saved the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt, there were unbeliefs that they fostered and attitudes that they held for which some of them ended up being slated for destruction. 

Likewise, angels who left their assigned realms in defiance, were consigned to eternal chains in darkness awaiting judgement.

Even those who ventured into sexual immorality were presented as a warning to others  of eternal fire.

5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

Jude says of those who were infiltrating the church with false doctrines and an antichrist spirit who promoted defilement, defiant of authority and reviling spiritual dignitaries that they were like mindless unguided beasts who, in their corruption, went the way of Cain which was to shed the blood of their brothers and then give false testimony of it in court and they also pursued monetary gain by abusing spiritual gifts and ultimately ended up in a state of abject rebellion.

Jude declared ˋWoe!ˋ upon such who were influenced in those ways.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER SANCTIFIES US AND THE LORD JESUS PRESERVES THE CALLED

The book of Jude chapter 1 verses 1 - 4 begins with an introduction of Jude and his calling and how he was related to the apostles being a brother of James the apostle.

The letter, being addressed to the believers who were called and sanctified by the Father  and preserved by the Lord Jesus Christ, is an exhortation to be vigilant in contending for the faith in light of the fact that their ranks were being infiltrated by ungodly men who introduced worthless and even harmful doctrines into their midst. 

1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:

2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jude urges the saints to retain the gospel that they had believed and by which they had gained salvation and to be steadfast in defending against those who were striving to pervert that message of grace and the Lordship of Jesus into an unrecognizably lewd and vacant belief.

Amen.

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 OUR FATHER IN WHOM WE ALWAYS REJOICE

The final chapter (chapter 4 ) in Apostle Paulˋs letter to the Phillippians says this;

1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Amen.

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 OUR FATHER WHO REVEALS THINGS OF THE SPIRITUAL REALM TO US

The Apostle Paulˋs letter to the Phillippians reaches a crescendo in chapter 3 verses 12 - 21 in which he urges them to follow his example and press ahead relentlessly towards the goal of reaching the prize. This incalculably valuable prize is the eternal call of God in Christ Jesus. 

Paul intimates to his readers that he had not attained the level yet and that he had not been perfected yet but nevertheless he pressed forward straining with all his might to accomplish the task for which Christ had acquired him to do. At the time of the writing his letter, Paul did not consider his task completed but he nevertheless forgot what was behind and surged forward towards the things that were available to grasp.

Addressing those who were mature christians, Paul concedes that there were those who disagreed with him over his characterizations of the Christian directives but he believed that God would reveal the truth to them. In any case, even if his readers did not believe that there were higher plateaus to aspire to in their walk with God, Paul encouraged the mature Christians to at least preserve  the levels of spiritual growth they had already attained.

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

The apostle tells the Phillippians to follow after the patterns of spiritual pursuits they had seen in his life and in the lives of others like him. He tearfully warned them to be aware that there were enemies of the cross of Christ in their midst whose aims and aspirations were strictly earthly and who were headed for destruction.

Paul reminds the Phillippians and believers in general that our citizenship is in heaven and it is for that kingdom that we eagerly await when our saviour the Lord Jesus Christ will transmorgrify us from our temporal humble bodies into the glorious bodies that are like the eternal body of Christ which will be capable of the dominion over all things in creation like Christˋs does.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHOM WE WORSHIP IN THE SPIRIT

The Apostle Paul begins to conclude his letter to the Phillippians in chapter 3 verses 1 - 11.

He lets them know that even though he is writting the same things to them repeatedly, it is not tedious for him because he knows it is an important safety measure for them.

He cautions them to be alert for those he referred to as dogs (those who return to their vomit and re-instate what they should have already abandoned) for example those who wanted to return to the law of circumcision as a marker of righteousness.  Paul explains that in Christ, the circumcision is a spiritual separation from the flesh by those who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in the Lord Jesus and have discarded the affairs of the flesh. 

Paul tells his readers that if following the law of Moses were the standard to follow, he would be at the top of the class because he had fulfilled all the elements of the law a jew who was born from the tribe of Benjamin and circumcised in the flesh when he was eight day old as the law prescribed. He was faultless under the law and yet he, in the light of the glory of Christ, considered all these works of law as rubbish. 

If Paul, a perfect practitioner of the law of Moses was glad to dump the standard of law of Moses for the knowledge of the excellencies of Jesus Christ the Lord, how much more should we, who do not have the pedigree and record of attainment in the matters of the law, do the same.

1 Finally (Some translations say ˋFurtherˋ), my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 

Paul, having his own righteousness rooted in the law, was glad to lose everything so that he could be found in Christ with his righteousness being gained through faith in Christ because he could know Him and the power of His ressurection and share with Jesus in suffering even to death so that he would hiself attain the ressurection from the dead in Christ.

Amen.

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 OUR FATHER WHO WORKS IN US TO WILL AND TO DO FOR HIS GOOD PLEASURE

In the second chapter of his letter to the Phillippians, from verse 12 - verse 30, the Apostle Paul advised the Phillipians to the continue earnestly in their own personal journeys of salvation even though he was not with them any more.  

Paul advises them to exliminate complaining and disputing from their midst so that they would develop into faultless children of God as they live among crooked and perverse people to whom the light of their lives is meant to illuminate.

Paulˋs urgency towards the Phillippians that they hold fast to the word of life was because  he had laboured so hard to cultivate the faith in them and he did not want to reach the day of the revealing of Christ and find that all his work had been in vain. Paul describes his life as a drink offering that the Lord was pouring out as a sacrifice on the service and faith of the believers. 

What is meant by the image of the libation (the book of Numbers chapter 15 verses 1 - 10) is a sacrifice of a ram or a cow would be accompanied by an amount of wine as a drink offering. The service and sacrifice of the lives of the believers were the main sacrifice and Paulˋs life being poured out on top of the sacrifice was the drink offering added on top.

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.

25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.

Paul writes to the Phillippians about two servants of God they were depending on to convey messages and assistance between them named Timothy and  Epaphroditus. 

Paul commends Timothy to them as a trusted fellow servant in the service of the gospel and Epaphroditus as a fellow worker who risked his life to asist Paul and he tells the Phillippians to esteem such men in their midst who sacrificially live to benefit the brethren.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER IS GLORIFIED WHEN THE SON IS ACKNOWLEDGED AS LORD OF ALL

The Apostle Paulˋs letter to the Phillippians in chapter 2 verses 1 - 11 says this;

1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Paul encouraged to the believers in Phillippi to be like-minded in the unity of love and purpose because they were themselves beneficiaries of consolation and comfort in Christ, love and fellowship and affection and mercy. 

Paul presses the Phillippians to be utterly humble in their minds so that they would not harbor selfish ambitions or conceit. Paul tells them to esteem others to be more valuable than themselves and concern themselves with the interests of others as they do their own.

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Continuing with his counsel to the Phillippians, Paul reminds them of the example set by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself who, even though was God, relinquished His privileges as God and reduced Himself to a mere man of no rank among men and then humbled Himself even further by being obedient to the point of even allowing Himself to be subjected to the ignominious and agonizing death on a Roman cross.

From this obedient descent of Jesus Christ, God the Father highly exalted Him and give him a rank higher than any rank in existence so that every being in heaven, on earth and below the earth would bow to Him and confess or admit that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Amen

8

OUR FATHER WHOSE SON SUFFERED DEARLY FOR US 

Continuing his letter to the Phillippians in Chapter 1 verses 12 - 30, the Apostle Paul tells of the counter-intuitive effect that his being in chains had had on the furtherance of the gospel and even on the guards who held him in captivity. Instead of his captivity making people more fearful, they became more bold in proclaiming the gospel to the people in the city.

In fact, Paul documents, preaching the gospel gained so much cache that some people were preaching the gospel out of envy and selfish ambition to keep with the times and be seen to be following the trends while other were doing so out of sincerity and goodwill and love to identify with Paul and stand in solidarity with him while he was imprisoned.

For either motivation of envy or love, the apostle Paul was content that the gospel was preached for the power of God is carried in the message of the gospel itself independent of the motives of the messenger.

12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

Even in the captivity he endured, Paul writes of his hopes that the prayers of the believers in Phillipi and the supply of the Lord Jesus would propel him in boldness as he submitted his body for the magnification of the Lord Jesus Christ through his labor.

In his condition, Paul is ambivalent about whether he wanted to live or to die because to him, going to be with Christ was highly desireable but on the other hand, remaining to serve his beloved brothers and sisters in Christ was still needful.

27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

Paul encourages the Phillippians that whether he was there or not, they should persist in unity in the spirit and together working dilligently in the service of the gospel. He instructed them not to be terrified by those who opposed them (which was proof of the condemnation of their adversaries) but conversely, was proof of their salvation for the Phillippians were, as Paul recorded, among those who were blessed to not only believe in Christ but also to suffer on his behalf as as they saw in the life of Paul.

Amen.

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