Take Two: Ezra 10, Proverbs 22

Chapter 10 contains a simple message. Remember that in chapter 9, it was brought to Ezra’s attention that many of the Jews had married foreign wives against God’s Law. Ezra began to weep and repent personally for the corporate sin.

Chapter 10 opens with the people’s response to Ezra’s contrition. YES…to Ezra’s contrition. When they saw his brokenness, they too became broken (v.1). One of the men confessed the sins of the people before Ezra (v.2), as well as announced a desire to correct the sin.

NOTE: This is no easier of a decision than yesterday…but what you find is the desire of the people for God’s approval and for right relationship with God SURPASSED their level of pride, desire for comfort, or their personal relationships. THEY PUT GOD AHEAD OF EVERYTHING!

Ezra and the leaders called an assembly and confronted all of the Jews in the land. They investigated the sin and named the guilty parties. The list began with the priests who were offenders. (NOTE: Reminds me of James 3:1). [LEADERSHIP]

The focus of this being that obtaining holiness (living consistent with God’s commands) was going to be messy. They could not get there in a day (v.13). They would get there…but in an intentional and progressive manner.

What they did not do: They did not say, “Well I’ve sinned and I am just a sinner. I guess I’ll live with it.” They did not say, “I will just start over from here.” They did not try to change the Law or offer new interpretations.

What they did do: The leaders required the community to face the fact that corporately they were guilty of sin and therefore corporately must repent. Not everyone took a foreign wife…but some did and other knew (or should have) and God was explicit about the command. So, whether sinning or permitting the sin to go unchecked…all were guilty corporately.

They also sought a solution to restore holiness. This would require a break with their families. They did so because HOLINESS is that important. No negotiation. No capitulation. They would have to send away their foreign wives.

NOTE: God did not hate the foreigners. We know that He loved them. God gave the command because of the influence that the wives would have on the Jews over time (See 1 Kings 11:1-3). While God loved the foreigners just as He did the Jews…He demanded and still demands holiness in our lives.

Observation: The story drops suddenly. No statement as to the outcome is recorded. Why? I think it is because we are called to holiness itself, not the benefits of it. God said do it. He did not say do it and I will do this for you. He called them to holiness because He is in fact God…and that was and is sufficient.

Proverbs 22:28 is the takeaway today. “Do not move the ancient boundary [stones] which your fathers have set.”

Tomorrow, please join me as I return to the NT to the books of 1st and 2d Timothy. See you there!

Take Two: Ezra 9, Proverbs 21

If we could subtitle this chapter…it would be, “Radical Holiness!” (Not that you could have holiness and it not be radical…the approach taken here is one that would be considered RADICAL by any standard looking in on Christianity!)

After possessing the city of Jerusalem, the leaders within it approached Ezra and said, “Hey…we just realized that many of the people including the Priests and Levites are intermarried with non-Jews and have given their sons…wives from among the nations. These actions are contrary to the commandment of God.” (vv.1-2).

What we see here is an adaptation to cultural standards. The culture begins to set the norm for what is acceptable…rather than the Word of God. Over time…it became acceptable and “cool” and maybe even preferred to have a wife who looked different than cousin Sophie…even though God expressly prohibited it.

Ezra is distraught. He likely has never realized this before. He immediately tears his robe and postures himself in repentance. Then He cries out to God. Listen to the features of his prayer:

• God I am embarrassed over the sins of my community…the people of God with whom I am connected. (Personal repentance for corporate sin) (v.6).
• God we are slaves but you have given us a window of grace that we might remember your kindness toward us. (We are trapped in a sinful culture but you have not forsaken us. You gave us grace in the midst of out circumstances.) (vv.8-9).
• In this moment of grace, we have realized our sin like never before. You have not changed…but we had forgotten what You said. Now we know! (v.10).
• Your commands were clear but we did not listen. We were at fault…not you, not the culture, not the economy…we were at fault. (No real repentance exists without personal responsibility). (vv.11-12).
• Our suffering is because we forsook You, not because You forsook us. We walked away from holiness and thus we are slaves. Yet, you have not given us what we deserved, but were gracious to us even in our chastisement. (vv.13-14).
• We cannot argue or defend our actions. Oh, God have mercy on us as you are gracious to us. (v.15).

Is this what repentance looks like for us personally…for us corporately? Do we implicitly blame God for our suffering and why we are disobedient…or do we “own it”?

Do we justify our failure or do we admit it and seek to change it? There is no more radical response to personal and corporate sin than what we are about to see from these people…and there is no LESS PRESCRIBED REMEDY than what is about to be seen. Because God is Holy, Righteous, and Gracious…how can we look to heaven and call to Him when we live in an unrepentant (as we see it here) state or condition?

APPLIED: Are you justifying or tolerating anything that God reveals as intolerable?

Proverbs 21:31 is the takeaway today. “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the Lord.”

Take Two: Ezra 8, Proverbs 20

This chapter details the journey to Jerusalem for those who accompanied Ezra. Beyond the names of those who accompanied him, what stands out the most are vv.21-23.

Ezra proclaimed a fast…to humble the people…to ask God for safety and blessing on the journey. He was ASHAMED to ask the king for help since he told the king of God’s might and ability and His desire for the people’s return. So…they begged God and God heard them and blessed them.

What stands out to me…is the desire for consistency in Ezra. How can we ask for the king’s help right after we tell him that our God is amazing?

From my perspective…we do the same thing from time to time…or at least ought to. We share with others how amazing God is…and then we share how we are anxious about something. We claim that God provides…and then we worry about Social Security. Our lives must be lived consistently with our verbal witness. To do otherwise…is to present God as something He is not…UNABLE to really be trusted. He is trustworthy and able. We should live as though we really believe it.

That actually is what is meant when the Bible speaks of faith. When Jesus saw their “faith” He saw action based on belief. They believed…therefore they acted. They did not profess and then fail to act. That would be inconsistent. This is the only kind of faith that saves…that which trusts in and acts upon our stated beliefs. We fool ourselves to say that we BELIEVE God when we won’t trust Him. Either He is…or we’re not.

Proverbs 20:6 is the takeaway today. “Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man?” [You see who is trustworthy by what he does, not by what he says. If a man says he believes in prayer but doesn't pray...his actions bear out what he really believes. Remove PRAYER and insert ANYTHING else in the place and the same holds true.]

Take Two: Ezra 7, Proverbs 19

Nearly 6 decades have elapsed from the end of Chapter 6 to the start of Chapter 7. This chapter picks up with the order of king Artaxerxes of Persia granting favor to Ezra and all those returning to Jerusalem from within the Persian kingdom.

The King provided safe passage for the people and resources for the Temple…in essence, his blessing of the work of Ezra. He gave Ezra authority as a governing official (v.25) to reestablish the community in Jerusalem.

Some may ask…”Why would a pagan king do such a thing?” Certainly…we cannot overlook the sovereignty of God in this action. Proverbs tells us that God turns the heart of a king in the same way that he turns the flow of a river’s water. Ezra recognized the sovereign will of God and His unlimited ability in his statement of blessing (vv.27-28).

Don’t miss the power of God here…as He not only provided for the king to give permission for returning to Jerusalem…but He provoked the king to finance the return, resettlement, and restoration of the Jewish community.

POINT: What is too difficult for God? In your life…in my life…what is it that we think is too big for God? What is that thing that we don’t want to attempt because it looks impossible? What is that thing that we insist on doing ourselves because we can do it better than anyone else? What is it that we push through…rather than pray through? What is it that we run from rather than rush toward?

It seems we always return to this place…”True success in the Christian life is discovering what God is up to and then to do that!” This may be more difficult than we can imagine or breed more questions than answers at first…but it is the key to success…without fail.

Proverbs 19:11 is the takeaway today. “A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.”

Take Two: Ezra 6, Proverbs 18

In Ezra 5, we saw that the governor of nearby land had attempted to stop the rebuilding of the Temple and (like a hall monitor) took down the names and sent a letter to King Darius to “tell” on the Jews for what they were doing. He asked for instructions…what do you want us to do with these people?

Chapter 6 contains the reply. “King Cyrus ordered the rebuilding of the Temple and for it to be financed by a government grant…so do not delay them in their work (vv.6-7). Furthermore, their work will be financed by the government and you will write the checks from your treasury and out of your tax revenue (vv.8-9). I want this done so that they can offer prayers on behalf of me, the king and my family (v.10). That is all.

So, it was done as the king required and the Temple was rebuilt some 4 years later. The altar was consecrated and offerings were made, then the Passover and feat of unleavened bread observed…because the people were joyful at how God had “turned the heart of the king” (vv.13-22).

POINT: We often say in “Christian” circles, that we believe in the Sovereignty of God…but do we really? Here, God moved Cyrus to issue a decree which was irrevocable under the code of their land. Once it was codified, it was in stone. God saw to it that the documents were preserved and that the resources were made available. God saw to it that those who opposed Him and His people would be disappointed and would even help facilitate His work. God turned the heart of the King. Why?

God did so to encourage the people (v.22). Notice the word. He wanted them to take courage in Him and in His power/ability/activity in turning the heart of the King.

So let me ask…do you have COURAGE in God’s ability? Do you trust Him to Sovereignly provide according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus? Do you believe in His sufficiency in Christ’s sacrifice for your salvation? Do you believe He is able to guide you in all righteousness through the agency of the Holy Spirit? Do you believe He can and desires to and will meet your physical needs (MT 6) as you pursue Him and His Kingdom agenda? Are you courageous? 

To have courage means that you are willing to act in faith against odds. It does not take much courage to face down a mosquito…or an alley cat…but a lion or a rhino…MUCH courage is required. God knows that the opposition to His agenda is strong…but He also wants us to take courage that He is STRONGER. He can even turn the hearts of the king!

If that be the case…we’d do well to ask Him for the heart of the king to be turned rather than commiserate with our political buddies about how goofy the policies are. We’d do well to embrace His agenda and support His work knowing He will meet our needs. Let’s not forget…God is not limited in His power in any way; however, we limit Him and what He will do by our limited belief and the courage we show.

Proverbs 18:10 is the takeaway today. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.”

Take Two: Ezra 5, Proverbs 17

In this chapter, we resume the story. In the last chapter, the people provoked Artaxerxes to stop the construction of the Temple that was permitted by Cyrus. Now, King Darius has assumed the throne and is in his second year (v.1). So the elders resumed construction.

[NOTE: Think persistence. The elders were delayed but they did not forsake the commission of the Lord. They held to a position that God was Sovereign...even over Artaxerxes. So, when he was replaced, they returned to their last instructions from the Lord.]

Notice also that the leaders of a nearby province sought to INTIMIDATE the elders into stopping their work again (vv.3-4). [I chuckle when I see that they took down their names...like overgrown hall monitors and then ran to the principal's office.]

POINT: The enemy has not changed tactics in all of his years. He still seeks to control by fear and intimidation. The elders knew the instruction of God. It was clear to them. They also knew of the ruthless nature of the people who opposed them. So, they continued, IN THE FACE OF INTIMIDATION, to pursue God’s plan…and left the outcome up to God.

[Now I have been a student of people for a lot of years. I can tell you without hesitation that there were some anxious moments in the hearts of these men as they gave their names. But they did not back down. They continued on with their mission and trusted God.]

And the eye of the Lord was with them…(v.5).

How did the daily threat of the people and the concern for their intimidation affect the work of rebuilding? They did a masterful job (v.8). They did not allow their circumstances to deter their act of worship. They continued their mission…with greater care and concern for God’s approval than for that of the people who opposed them.

APPLIED: Whose approval do you seek? Would you pursue the approval of God in the face of opposition? Do you have the GRIT to press on when opposition rises and seeks to intimidate? If you do…you will find that the “eye of the Lord” is with you.

Proverbs 17:3 is the takeaway today. “The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests hearts.” [Every growing believer will spend time having his heart tested and purified. If there is no testing, he is not growing.]

Take Two: Ezra 4, Proverbs 16

Two major ideas emerge in this chapter. First, there is a desire on the part of those who were not the people of God to help with the reconstruction of the Temple. This was rejected for the reason I mentioned previously…that there was an intense awareness and concern about purity of religious devotion and avoiding syncretism. The GOAL of the people of God was not the finished construction but WORSHIP through construction. The end does not justify the means.

POINT: Building a structure or raising money or conducting an outreach is supposed to be a worship act in itself. If a church sets out to build a building and does so pragmatically…it misses out on the opportunity to worship. The line is so thin at times, that without careful and diligent attention, it is easy to acquiesce to something less than worship.

ONE EXAMPLE that has stuck with me for years…is the desire to reach out and do something nice for the community. Some people think it is possible (or even preferred) to seek assistance from those outside the family of God. [Now I would never refuse outside assistance because God can work through outsiders as he did here with Cyrus; however, I question whether we ought to SEEK donations in order to give them away in "Jesus' Name."] I side with King David and say that I would never want to offer to my God a sacrifice that costs me nothing.

The refusal of God’s people to allow the outsiders to participate set off a response of jealousy from them. The reacted and sought to undermine the rebuilding by sending a threatening letter to king Artaxerxes “warning” him that to allow the Jews to persist would cost him politically and financially. They feigned some allegiance to the king, but their true motivation was far more sinister. They were not patriots, but simply burned with anger at being rejected.

NOTE: The enemy uses a number of different tactics to seek to destroy or deter the work of God. These tactics often bring pressure against God’s people. KNOW this going into the “battle,” make up your mind to stand on principle before the pressure comes upon you…or you just might cave to the pressure. Or as the man from Mississippi said, “Drill your well before you’re thirsty.”

Determining for yourself WHO you are what you stand for is critical. Find that authority (which I pray is God and His Word) and turn there for instruction in every matter. If you commit to DO EXACTLY what God directs no matter what the circumstance…then all that is to be decided when pressure rises…is what does God direct. This is where His Word, prayer, and wise counsel from godly people who are known to walk with God comes in. [SIDENOTE: We often say that there is wisdom in the counsel of many...but this is only partially true. There is wisdom in the counsel of wise men/women...not just in the many. The majority wanted to overthrow Moses and return to Egypt.]

Proverbs 16:30 is the takeaway today. “He who winks his eye does so to devise perverse things; he who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.” [MINE- He who whispers and schemes under the veil of "godly action" while standing in the shadows of one on one meetings, is working to advance perversions of truth; while the man who does nothing about it by keeping silent and watching it happen, shares in the facilitation of the evil deed.]

Take Two: Ezra 3, Proverbs 15

In Ezra 3, we find the restoration of worship and the rebuilding of the Temple. Don’t miss the order. It is significant. Further, we should not think that this undertaking was without its challenges. There was a strong FEAR of the people around them (v.3), but, as is indicated here, a stronger FEAR of the Lord.

(Note: One may argue a distinction between the two fears I have mentioned…that one involved anxiety and the other reverence. I don’t want to quibble over the choice of my words…at the same time, a healthy reverence of God is never accurately divorced from the anxiety that may occur if we approach Him without perfected reverence. To attempt to divorce the two meaning completely is more of a modern or post-modern idea. It is not accurate in my estimation. We should not worship God because we are afraid not to…but a healthy, genuine reverence will lead to reflection and a “fear” of approaching Him irreverently.)

One of the themes that is apparent in Nehemiah/Ezra is the focus on avoiding syncretism (the merging of divergent faiths and practices). The returning leaders led the people to maintain strict adherence to the Law… They went back to the original instructions and obeyed them… They did not settle for a cultural adaptation of truth.

The rebuilding of the Temple required sacrifice. We see again that after the altar was restored (worship) then sacrificial giving of resources followed (v.7).

At the rebuilding of the Temple there are two dominant and focused on actions/responses…both of which are worshipful responses. First…is the action by those who were newly introduced to the Temple and all it meant (vv.10-11). [Think in your mind...new Christians who had read about worship and now could do it personally.] Also present were those who had seen the Temple before and now were seeing it restored (vv.12-13). [Think of the one who was saved, fell away, and now was being restored. As near as I can tell, this includes everyone present.] Some were praising, some were weeping but ALL were responding to God.

APPLIED: I think that sometimes we lose sight of the important as we come together for worship. Some do weep…but do so because they remember things that were never intended to be SIGNIFICANT and they miss them (think music style, dress, Bible translation, former pastor’s style, ministry programs, etc.) Some do celebrate, but their focus is on the concert, who’s singing, or if their favorite movie is used as an illustration. This is different than what we see here. At the Temple the only greatness celebrated is God’s…the Only One who deserves celebration anyway. So…if anyone can come into the presence of God and not worship Him through song or weeping, or dancing, or sincere meditation and response…he has not come to worship. [NOTE: Here is how I gauge it personally...as a pastor: If I leave and I think more about the style, delivery, or length than about the substance, impression and commitment...then I have lost my FEAR of God and have not worshipped. I have been a good religious guy...but not an authentic worshipper of God.]

Are you a worshipper…or a religious observer?

Proverbs 15:9 is the takeaway today. “The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves one who pursues righteousness.”

Take Two: Ezra 2, Proverbs 14

If there was a theme that leapt off the page for me this morning…it is that “not one was lost.” When you read through a lists of names and families…as an outsider who is removed from the current context…it is easy enough to skim through. We maybe read but just read “more quickly.”

Isn’t it interesting that each of the families persist today because the Holy Spirit preserved their names for us. What is the message? Surely there were more pressing matters…maybe the political situation of the day or the global temperature (so we could verify global warming later.) Nope. God preserved the names of the people…by family, function, and role.

God cares about people. He is working out His amazing plan and He is doing it through people. For no other reason than because He can. He simply wants to. He chooses to. And every person has a role in God’s plan.

There are no acceptable “body counts” for God. He does not work with actuary tables and projected losses. He desires each and every one to be accounted for…and redeemed.

You are significant. He remembers you by name, by family, by tribe, by role, and by function.

Notice also that when they returned…something that occurred by God’s gracious act…they gave according to their ability a sacrificial gift for the restoration of the Temple. Now according to their ability does not mean what they had in their wallet…it means that they gave sacrificially and the amounts differed but the sacrifice was the same.

When we consider sacrifice in our world we don’t always see it the same as it was maybe seen here. We think…”If I give this, I will give up my hobby, a month of going out to eat, or take a smaller vacation.” Here, they liquidated savings, reduced the size of their herds, and gave away wealth…for the glory of God.

APPLIED: To approach God in this manner takes a clear understanding of the grace which saves us…and an unmistakable yieldedness to be part of something greater than ourselves.

Proverbs 14:23 is the takeaway today. “In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”

Take Two: Ezra 1, Proverbs 13

This chapter details the initiative God took in restoring the Temple and returning His people to the land He had given them. Through a pagan king, God obtained the release of His people as well as state sponsored construction of the Temple. He even provided articles for worship, materials and financial resources for the project…through a pagan king.

Historians note that from the documents that are “extant” from a Persian perspective…the inspiration for this action came to Cyrus from his false god marduk. Yes, God sent the order for his actions in such a way that Cyrus thought it was his idol instructing him. Why else would a worshipper of an idol and a pagan king underwrite God’s glorious plan?

The point (of this short post) is that God is Sovereign. He works through circumstances for His own glory. He can and does use things we would never consider to bring about His purpose.

Whenever we consider a situation and conclude that God could not be in the midst of our trials…we should pause and consider it again. If God can work through a pagan king..can He not also work through financial calamity, national security matters, cancer, death, persecutions, or any other situation?

What is too difficult for God? [Don’t tell me “you can’t” when it is abundantly clear that “God can.”

Proverbs 13:13 is the takeaway today. “The one who despises the word will be in debt to it, but the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded.”