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

The Apostle Paul, in the second chapter of his letter to the Philippians in verses 12 - 18, calling the readers of his letter his ˋbelovedˋ, recalling that they had always obeyed him whether he was with them or not, instructs them to workout their salvation with fear and trembling because it was ultimately God Himself who worked within them to make them to desire and to do His good pleasure.

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.

As such, when doing anything, they should do it without grumbling or being contentious so as to maintain their  blamelessness and harmlessness being faultless children of God even as they dwelt in the midst of a corrupt society as the lights of the world. Paul tells them that even as they lived this way, to cling to the word of life so that, if they endured to the end, Paul would rejoice in the knowledge that all his suffering was not in vain.

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.

The apostle invokes the concept of a drink-offering that was poured out along with the sacrifices that were prescribed in the law of Moses ( e.g. Leviticus 23 : 13) ;

And the meal-offering thereof shall be two tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto Jehovah for a sweet savor; and the drink-offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of a hin.

He compares his life to the drink offering where he was being poured out by God in the service of the faith of the Philippians and indeed he was glad to be used in this way and he encourages the Philippians to rejoice in his being poured our for them.

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.

Amen

2

OUR FATHER WHO IS GLORIFIED BY THE SELF HUMBLING OF CHRIST AND HIS GLORIFICATION BY THE FATHER

In the second chapter of his letter to the Philippians from verses 1 - 11, the Apostle Paul urges them to consider whether they had at all benefitted at all from any consolation, comfort, fellowship, affection and mercy and of so, they should deliberately pursue unity in love, in purpose and in agreement in order to fulfil the Paulˋs joy. 

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 tells the Philippians not to have any selfish ambition or conceit driving their actions and attitudes but rather humility and willingness to esteem others above themselves.

To undergird his case, Paul explains that the Lord Jesus, of whom the claim of being equal with God was not fraudulent, nevertheless shed His divine form and rank and took on the form of a bond servant cloaked in the appearance and functionality of a mere man.

Even in that state, He became obedient even unto the ignominious death on a cross.  In response to this monumental act of self-deprecation to fulfill the purposes of heaven, God highly exalted Him giving Him a name that is above every name and thus every knee of those in heaven and on the earth and under the earth shall bow and ev ery tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. In all this, both the descending of Jesus and in obedience submitting to death on a cross and the ascending of Jesus and being set far above every name, God the Father is glorified.

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.

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER FROM WHOM OUR SALVATION COMES

Having introduced himself and explaining his status in detention, Paul continues in his letter to the Philippians to express his own hopeful expectation that he would be released from prison by reason of the prayers of his readers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. He explained that he was nevertheless prepared for both life and death because he felt that continuing to live in the physical body was Christ and yet to die was even more beneficial to him. His only constraint in the choice between departing and leaving was that he knew that the Philippians needed him and so he sustained a confidence that he would remain to continue with them in their progress and joy of faith.

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.

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 let the Philippians  know that in either case, it was imperative that they conducted themselves in ways worthy of the gospel of Christ that they has received so that he would either witness their steadfastness and unity directly or hear of it from afar. 

The Philippians had been under persecution because of the gospel and Paul reminds them that having believed in Christ, suffering for His sake )as Paul himself did) was a privilege that was granted to them.

Amen.

4

 OUR FATHER WHO MAKES ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD 

The Apostle Paul, in chapter 1 verses 12 - 18 of his letter to the Philippians tells of the paradox of his imprisonment that had been intended as a measure to hinder the spread of the gospel but had instead propelled the gospel because it made the other Christians more bold in speaking the word.

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.

Paul notes that it was becoming so accepted to have the gospel preached that some were engaging in the preaching of the gospel to remain socially relevant and so the gospel was being preached out of envy, selfish ambition, insincerity and strife. 

For Paul, he was gratified that the gospel was being preached by whatever means was possible. 

Amen.

12

OUR FATHER WHO WE THANK FOR THOSE HE HAS ENJOINED US WITH

In a re-examination of the Apostle Paul´s letter to the church in the town of Philipi, we will look line by line into the precepts being communicated by the Holy Spirit.

By way of introdution, Paul begins his letter by giving his name and the name of his protege Timothy and labeling themselves as bondservants of the Lord Jesus Christ. He then indicates that his letter is generally addressed to all the saints in the town of Philippi with a mention of the spiritual and adminstrative leaders named as bishops and deacons. 

1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The  apostle then blesses his readers by conferring grace and peace on them that he was allotted from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 

Paul is perpetually grateful to God because of the Philippians and he discloses to them that he prays for them at every prayertime from the first day that he shared the gospel them to the time of the writing of the letter and that he was certain of the fact that the One who started the good work in them would continue to complete it on the great day of the revealing of Jesus Christ. This implies that the perfection of the saints is a continual work that will reach its perfection on the great day of the Lord.

7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

Paul declares that his perspective on them is accurate because they were the ones for whom he had been imprisoned for as he defended the gospel and saw its confirmation in their salvation and as such, shared in his grace. Because of how his life was entwined with theirs, he says to them that he has a great affection for them through the sharing of Jesus Christ.

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Paul writes to the Philippians that he prays that they would continually grow in love, knowledge and disernment so that they would have the tools necessary to distinguish the things that were excellent and right. Paul also prayed that they would be filled with the God-given  fruits of righteousness so that they would remain sincere and without strife until the Lordˋs return.

Amen

6

 OUR FATHER WHO CALLS US TO BE SEPARATE UNTO HIM

The book of Ezra ends in chapter 10 verses 16 with a listing of all the people among the priests, the levites, the singers, the gatekeepers and the families who had intermarried with foreign women during their captivity in Babylon.

18 Among the priests, the following were found to have taken foreign women for wives: Of the descendants of Jeshua, son of Jozadak, and his kinsmen: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah. 19 They pledged themselves to dismiss their wives, and as a guilt offering for their guilt they gave a ram from the flock. 20 Of the descendants of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah; 21 of the descendants of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah; 22 of the descendants of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah.

23 Of the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (also called Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.

24 Of the singers: Eliashib; of the gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem, and Uri.

25 Of the people of Israel: Of the descendants of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah, and Benaiah; 26 of the descendants of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah; 27 of the descendants of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza; 28 of the descendants of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai; 29 of the descendants of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth; 30 of the descendants of Pahath-moab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh; 31 of the descendants of Harim: Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, 32 Benjamin, Malluch, Shemariah; 33 of the descendants of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, Shimei; 34 of the descendants of Begui: Maadai, Amram, Uel, 35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi, 36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, 37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasu; 38 of the descendants of Binnui: Shimei, 39 Shelemiah, Nathan, and Adaiah; 40 of the descendants of Zachai: Shashai, Sharai, 41 Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, 42 Shallum, Amariah, Joseph; 43 of the descendants of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, Benaiah.

44 All these had taken foreign wives; but they sent them away, both the women and their children.

To return to the ancestral land, it was required that they separate themselves from the foreign relationships and the children that came from those relationships. 

Amen.

12

 OUR FATHER WHO IS HOLY AND SEPARATE AND WE SHOULD BE THE SAME

The book of Ezra Chapter 10 verse 1 - 17 records the repentance that the people of God undertook as they acknowledged their failure to maintain separation from their gentile captors. 

1 While Ezra prayed and acknowledged their guilt, weeping and prostrate before the house of God, a very large assembly of Israelites gathered about him, men, women, and children; and the people wept profusely. 2 Then Shecaniah, the son of Jehiel, one of the descendants of Elam, made this appeal to Ezra: “We have indeed betrayed our God by taking as wives foreign women of the peoples of the land. Yet in spite of this there still remains a hope for Israel. 3 Let us therefore enter into a covenant before our God to dismiss all our foreign wives and the children born of them, in keeping with what you, my lord, advise, and those who are in dread of the commandments of our God. Let it be done according to the law! 4 Rise, then, for this is your duty! We are with you, so have courage and act!”

5 Ezra stood and demanded an oath from the leaders of the priests, from the Levites and from all Israel that they would do as had been proposed; and they swore it. 6 Then Ezra left his place before the house of God and entered the chamber of Johanan, son of Eliashib,[a] where he spent the night neither eating food nor drinking water, for he was in mourning over the apostasy of the exiles. 7 A proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem that all the exiles should gather together in Jerusalem, 8 and that whoever failed to appear within three days would, according to the judgment of the leaders and elders, suffer the confiscation of all his possessions, and would be excluded from the assembly of the exiles.

9 All the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered together in Jerusalem within the three-day period: it was in the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month. All the people, sitting in the open place before the house of God, were trembling both over the matter at hand and because it was raining. 10 Then Ezra, the priest, stood up and said to them: “Your apostasy in taking foreign women as wives has added to Israel’s guilt. 11 But now, give praise to the Lord, the God of your ancestors, and do his will: separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign women.” 12 In answer, the whole assembly cried out with a loud voice: “Yes, it is our duty to do as you say! 13 But the people are numerous and it is the rainy season, so that we cannot remain outside; besides, this is not a task that can be performed in a single day or even two, for those of us who have sinned in this regard are many. 14 Let our leaders represent the whole assembly; then let all those in our cities who have taken foreign women for wives appear at appointed times, accompanied by the elders and magistrates of each city in question, till we have turned away from us our God’s burning anger over this affair.” 15 Only Jonathan, son of Asahel, and Jahzeiah, son of Tikvah, were against this proposal, with Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supporting them.

16 The exiles did as agreed. Ezra the priest appointed as his assistants men who were heads of ancestral houses, one for each ancestral house, all of them designated by name. They held sessions to examine the matter, beginning with the first day of the tenth month. 17 By the first day of the first month they had finished dealing with all the men who had taken foreign women for wives.

Amen.

6

FLAWLESS  Psalm 12  & Ephesians 6 : 10

O Lord our God, the poor were being plundered by their foes

And when they called, You said You would arise You would arise 

Your words O Lord they are flawless yes they are flawless

Like silver in a furnace seven times purified

O Lord my God, soul was being plundered by my foes

And when I called, You said that You were dead but now alive 

Your Word O Lord He is flawless yes He is flawless

Like silver in a furnace seven times purified purified

So I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might ( x 4 )

Your Word O Lord He is flawless yes He is flawless

Like silver in a furnace seven times purified ( purified )

 OUR FATHER WHO REQUIRES SEPARATION OF HIS PEOPLE

The book of Ezra chapter 9 verses 1 - 15, as the preparations of departure were being made, a report was presented to Ezra that revealed that the people of Israel had not kept themselves separate from the pagan people while in captivity and had intermarried with people from the surrounding nations and mixed the lineages of the holy people of God with the lineages of the gentiles.

Upon learning this, the prophet Ezra became incensed and he grieved the rebellion of the people against the commandments of their God. He humbled himself by falling to his knees and crying out to God a heartfelt prayer of confession and acknowledgement of the mercy that they had been shown t that point that had preserved them as a remant to that day.

1 When these matters had been concluded, the leaders approached me with this report: “Neither the Israelite laymen nor the priests nor the Levites have kept themselves separate from the peoples of the lands and their abominations—Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites— 2 for they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, thus intermingling the holy seed with the peoples of the lands. Furthermore, the leaders and rulers have taken a prominent part in this apostasy!”

3 When I had heard this, I tore my cloak and my mantle, plucked hair from my head and beard, and sat there devastated. 4 Around me gathered all who were in dread of the sentence of the God of Israel on the apostasy of the exiles, while I remained devastated until the evening sacrifice. 5 Then, at the time of the evening sacrifice, I rose in my wretchedness, and with cloak and mantle torn I fell on my knees, stretching out my hands to the Lord, my God.

6 I said: “My God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to raise my face to you, my God, for our wicked deeds are heaped up above our heads and our guilt reaches up to heaven. 7 From the time of our ancestors even to this day our guilt has been great, and for our wicked deeds we have been delivered, we and our kings and our priests, into the hands of the kings of foreign lands, to the sword, to captivity, to pillage, and to disgrace, as is the case today.

8 “And now, only a short time ago, mercy came to us from the Lord, our God, who left us a remnant and gave us a stake in his holy place; thus our God has brightened our eyes and given us relief in our slavery. 9 For slaves we are, but in our slavery our God has not abandoned us; rather, he has turned the good will of the kings of Persia toward us. Thus he has given us new life to raise again the house of our God and restore its ruins, and has granted us a protective wall in Judah and Jerusalem. 

10 But now, our God, what can we say after all this? For we have abandoned your commandments, 11 which you gave through your servants the prophets: The land which you are entering to take as your possession is a land unclean with the filth of the peoples of the lands, with the abominations with which they have filled it from one end to the other by their uncleanness. 12 Do not, then, give your daughters to their sons in marriage, and do not take their daughters for your sons. Never promote their welfare and prosperity; thus you will grow strong, enjoy the produce of the land, and leave it as an inheritance to your children forever.

13 “After all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and our great guilt—though you, our God, have made less of our sinfulness than it deserved and have allowed us to survive as we do— 14 shall we again violate your commandments by intermarrying with these abominable peoples? Would you not become so angered with us as to destroy us without remnant or survivor? 15 Lord, God of Israel, you are just; yet we have been spared, the remnant we are today. Here we are before you in our sins. Because of all this, we can no longer stand in your presence.”

Ezra lifted his prayers and laments up to God declared that because of their sin, they, as a people, could no longer stand in the presence of God.

Amen.

10

 OUR FATHER WHO GIVES US FAVOR TO RETURN HOME TO HIM

The prophet Ezra, in chapter 8 verses 21 - 36 of his book,  documented the final preparations he and the departing representatives of the children of Israel  made including the commencing a fast, the weighing in of all the precious implements and vessels made of silver and gold they were taking back to serve as the utensils of the temple and the sacrificing of bulls, rams, lambs and goats.

Once they were ready to leave, they presented the kingˋs orders to the satraps (Persian regional governors) that granted  them safe passage and  support in their construction projects.

 21 Then I proclaimed a fast, there by the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our possessions. 22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for troops and horsemen to protect us against enemies along the way, since we had said to the king, “The favoring hand of our God is over all who seek him, but his fierce anger is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted, seeking this from our God, and it was granted. 24 Next I selected twelve of the priestly leaders along with Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their kinsmen, 25 and I weighed out before them the silver and the gold and the vessels offered for the house of our God by the king, his counselors, his officials, and all the Israelites of that region. 26 I weighed out into their hands these amounts: silver, six hundred and fifty talents; silver vessels, one hundred; gold, one hundred talents; 27 twenty golden bowls valued at a thousand darics; two vases of excellent polished bronze, as precious as gold. 28 I addressed them in these words: “You are consecrated to the Lord, and the vessels are also consecrated; the silver and the gold are a voluntary offering to the Lord, the God of your ancestors. 29 Watch over them carefully until you weigh them out in Jerusalem in the presence of the chief priests and Levites and the leaders of ancestral houses of Israel, in the chambers of the house of the Lord.” 30 The priests and the Levites then took over the silver, the gold, and the vessels that had been weighed out, to bring them to Jerusalem, to the house of our God.

31 We set out from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God remained over us, and he protected us from enemies and robbers along the way. 32 We arrived in Jerusalem, where we rested for three days. 33 On the fourth day, the silver, the gold, and the vessels were weighed out in the house of our God and given to the priest Meremoth, son of Uriah, with whom was Eleazar, son of Phinehas; they were assisted by the Levites Jozabad, son of Jeshua, and Noadiah, son of Binnui. 34 Everything was in order as to number and weight, and the total weight was registered. At that same time, 35 those who had returned from the captivity, the exiles, offered as burnt offerings to the God of Israel twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and twelve goats as sin offerings: all these as a burnt offering to the Lord. 36 Finally, the orders of the king were presented to the king’s satraps and to the governors in West-of-Euphrates, who gave their support to the people and to the house of God.

Amen.

1

 YOU SHONE YOUR LIGHT

In the darkness we stumbled round

We had no way to see

But You our God shone a great light

And set the captives free

 OUR FATHER WHO GIVES FAVOR TO THOSE WHO BUILD  HIS TEMPLE

The book of Ezra chapter 8 verses 1 - 20 is a record of those who were being enrolled to make the journey from Babylon back to Jerusalem and Ezra recorded the names of the heads of the ancestral houses and their genological records.

1 These are the heads of the ancestral houses and the genealogies of those who returned with me from Babylon during the reign of King Artaxerxes:

2 Of the descendants of Phinehas, Gershon; of the descendants of Ithamar, Daniel; of the descendants of David, Hattush, 3 son of Shecaniah; of the descendants of Parosh, Zechariah, and with him one hundred and fifty males were enrolled; 4 of the descendants of Pahath-moab, Eliehoenai, son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males; 5 of the descendants of Zattu, Shecaniah, son of Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males; 6 of the descendants of Adin, Ebed, son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males; 7 of the descendants of Elam, Jeshaiah, son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males; 8 of the descendants of Shephatiah, Zebadiah, son of Michael, and with him eighty males; 9 of the descendants of Joab, Obadiah, son of Jehiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males; 10 of the descendants of Bani, Shelomoth, son of Josiphiah, and with him one hundred and sixty males; 11 of the descendants of Bebai, Zechariah, son of Bebai, and with him twenty-eight males; 12 of the descendants of Azgad, Johanan, son of Hakkatan, and with him one hundred and ten males; 13 of the descendants of Adonikam, younger sons, whose names were Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with them sixty males; 14 of the descendants of Bigvai, Uthai, son of Zakkur, and with him seventy males.

15 I assembled them by the river that flows toward Ahava, where we camped for three days. There I perceived that both laymen and priests were present, but I could not discover a single Levite. 16 So I sent for discerning leaders, Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, 17 with a command for Iddo, the leader in the place Casiphia, instructing them what to say to Iddo and his kinsmen, and to the temple servants in Casiphia, in order to procure for us ministers for the house of our God. 18 Since the favoring hand of our God was over us, they sent to us a well-instructed man, one of the descendants of Mahli, son of Levi, son of Israel, namely Sherebiah, with his sons and kinsmen, eighteen men. 19 They also sent us Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah, descendants of Merari, and their kinsmen and their sons, twenty men. 20 Of the temple servants, those whom David and the princes appointed to serve the Levites, there were two hundred and twenty. All these were enrolled by name.

When reviewing the men who were to make the journey with him back to Jerusalem, Ezra realised that there were no Levites among them and because the services in the temple required descendants of the tribe of Levi to perform them, Ezra sent some trusted leaders to the head of temple servants (named Iddo) to get him to send men who were qualified to serve in the temple they were going to build in Jerusalem.

In keeping with the favor that God had shown them,  A well-trained Levitic priest named Sherebiah, was sent to them along with a contigent of thirty-seven  priests. In the travelling party were two hundred and fifty men who would help the Levites with the functions and duties of the temple.

Amen.

6

OUR FATHER WHO GUIDES HIS PEOPLE HOME

The book of Ezra chapter 7 verses 11 - 28 contains a copy of the authorizing letter that king Artaxerxes gave to Ezra that gave him clearance to leave Babylon, take the e staff and resources that he needed to get the Nation of Judah up and running. Ezra was also authorized to set up a judicial sturture in Judah that could executethe  justice prescribed by God including the adminstration of the death penalty.

11 This is a copy of the rescript which King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest-scribe, the scribe versed in matters concerning the Lord’s commandments and statutes for Israel:

12 “Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, scribe of the law of the God of heaven, greetings! And now, 13 I have issued this decree, that anyone in my kingdom belonging to the people of Israel, its priests or Levites, who is willing to go up to Jerusalem with you, may go, 14 for you are the one sent by the king and his seven counselors to supervise Judah and Jerusalem with regard to the law of your God which is in your possession, 15 and to bring the silver and gold which the king and his counselors have freely contributed to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem, 16 as well as all the silver and gold which you may receive throughout the province of Babylon, together with the voluntary offerings the people and priests freely contribute for the house of their God in Jerusalem. 17 Therefore, you must use this money with all diligence to buy bulls, rams, lambs, and the grain offerings and libations proper to these, and offer them on the altar of the house of your God in Jerusalem. 18 You and your kinsmen may do whatever seems best to you with the remainder of the silver and gold, as your God wills. 19 The vessels given to you for the service of the house of your God you are to deposit before the God of Jerusalem. 20 Whatever else you may be required to supply for the needs of the house of your God, you may draw from the royal treasury. 21 I, Artaxerxes the king, issue this decree to all the treasurers of West-of-Euphrates: Whatever Ezra the priest, scribe of the law of the God of heaven, requests of you, let it be done with all diligence, 22 within these limits: silver, one hundred talents; wheat, one hundred kors; wine, one hundred baths; oil, one hundred baths; salt, without limit. 23 Let everything that is decreed by the God of heaven be carried out exactly for the house of the God of heaven, that wrath may not come upon the realm of the king and his sons. 24 We also inform you that it is not permitted to impose taxes, tributes, or tolls on any priest, Levite, singer, gatekeeper, temple servant, or any other servant of that house of God.

25 “As for you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God which is in your possession, appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people in West-of-Euphrates, to all, that is, who know the laws of your God. Instruct those who do not know these laws. 26 All who will not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed upon them with all diligence, whether death, or corporal punishment, or confiscation of goods, or imprisonment.”

27 Blessed be the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who put it into the heart of the king thus to glorify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, 28 and who let me find favor with the king, with his counselors, and with all the most influential royal officials. I therefore took courage and, with the hand of the Lord, my God, over me, I gathered together Israelite leaders to make the return journey with me.

Having been granted the kings favor to leave Babylon and return to Judah, Ezra blessed the Lord the God of his ancestors. He gathered the leaders and under the guidance of God, they we set to depart on the journey home.

Amen.

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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.

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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

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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.

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 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.

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