Category: Ezra

Reading

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SAA Notes

Several years after the Temple had been rebuilt, Ezra is commissioned by the King of Iran to regulate the life of Jewish church in Palestine, Syria and Jordan. Though Ezra had political protection, it still took courage to do what he did. Ezra did not squander the years of peace and security.

SJA Notes

* Dear God, please help us to get wisdom, to get insight, to prize them highly – to listen to Your words, for they are wisdom and insight.

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.”

Ezra is a clear example for us here, and encouragement and an exhortation.

To set our hearts to study the law of God – His statutes, commands, precepts.

To study them.

To do them.

To teach them.

Study. Do. Teach.

We can all follow this example, regardless of where God has placed us, whatever the work He has given our hands to do.

We can all follow this because it is the example that our Lord and King Jesus set.

Let us be like Ezra, patterning Jesus, pointing people to Him as we study God’s word, as we do it and teach it to others.

* Dear Lord God,

Please humble us today before Your word.

Please help us follow Jesus in word and deed.

Please help us to study Your law, to do it, and to teach it to those around us.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The joy of this Passover comes from the fact that their experience is so similar to the Jews in Egypt under Pharaoh. Do we experience a similar joy when we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, or do we take it for granted?

SJA Notes

* Father God, You have given to us good precepts, let us not forsake Your teaching.

“Let the work on this house of God alone.”

How remarkable these words are, from the mouth of a pagan king from the world-power of the day.

This Darius had the witness of Daniel in his life. Think of the work that Darius did to try and deliver Daniel from the lion’s den. This king, the most powerful man of the time, spent a night in fasting for Daniel!

God works in the life of powerful earthly rulers.

Look at how God moved in Nebuchadnezzar’s life,

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”

May we consider and affirm the witness of our Lord God at work in our own lives.

* God in Heaven,

Please save those around us Lord, our leaders and our neighbours, the elderly and the little ones – Lord may souls be brought into the kingdom!

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The prophets Haggai and Zechariah were instrumental in getting the work on the temple restarted. The political situation had changed, but the people did not know this when they began to build. Think about Jesus’ words: Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s. Matthew 22:17

SJA Notes

* Mighty God, You mock proud mockers but show favour to the humble and oppressed. Please help us to be humble.

“Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem,”

We see here the courage and faith despite ongoing political attack by adversaries.

It has been many years since the building stopped, through one king’s reign and into another.

The work started again after the word of God was preached to them by Haggai and Zechariah.

These people were humbled before the word of God, His Spirit at work, so that they were strong and courageous.

Does God’s word direct and guide us today, are we strong and courageous in the face of the world?

* God Above,

Thank You for Your word – Please write it on our hearts.

Thank You for Your Spirit dwelling within us – Please may we listen to You as Your Spirit writes Your word on our hearts.

Thank You for Your faithfulness and love Lord God, that You are worthy – Please help us be strong and courageous today.

Amen.