Bible Chapter: Ezra 5 & 6

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    The foundation of the temple had been set many years before.  Finally, they got to working on it again.  Zerubbabel and Jeshua got working on the construction to complete it.  The whole project took twenty one years.  And, of course, the detractors tried to stop them.  The question that was asked was who commanded you to do this?  Who gave you permission to build?  They contacted the Persian king Darius.  They thought this would stop the construction of the temple.  But, this persecution failed.  For, it was discovered that King Cyrus had commanded that the temple and wall be rebuilt.  He even said he would pay for it.  The construction went on and they completed the task.
    The people rejoiced and worshiped the Lord when the task was completed. The persecutors didn’t succeed in stopping the work.  The eye of God was on the elders of the Jews and they couldn’t be forced to stop the work.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    6:21 is an insightful verse.  It has some important lessons for all believers. 
“Then the children of Israel who had returned from the captivity ate together with all who had separated themselves from the filth of the nations of the land in order to seek the LORD God of Israel.”
    The phrase “with all who had separated themselves from the filth of the nations of the land” really jumped out to me.  Separating ourselves from those who live in and promote filth is a necessary step in growing spiritually.  As I write this I have recently read an article by a Christian author who talked about several TV shows available on cable.  Every one of them is pornographic with much nudity.  And yet, they are not on the “premium” channels where people specifically purchase them to get such filth.  They are on the basic channels that millions of people have.  They are readily available.  For all who call themselves followers of Jesus, they must reject such garbage.  Our fleshly desires wants such stuff, but we know that it is destructive.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Two thoughts jump out to me here.
1.  Stick with the work God has given you to do and get it completed, no matter how long it takes.
2.  Run to Jesus and get far away from the filth and destruction of sin.