Forty-two thousand Jews, nearly forty-three thousand have returned home from Babylon, a land by then ruled by Persia. (Others will follow, this is the first returning “wave” of Israelites under the leadership of Sheshbazzar, a little known hero.)

And their first order of business … building an altar where God can be worshipped, sacrifice made in His name, atoning for sin!

Then, and only then, they attempted to build (rebuild really) the Temple of God!

That’s where today’s Verse, today’s Bible Study “thought” comes in …

“Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, BEGAN Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.” Ezra 3:8, I have purposely capitalized one verb in the verse.

Do you see that verb?

“Began,” in Hebrew spelled “chalal,” is translated just that, “began,” 52 different times in the King James Version of the Bible. (One other time it is translated “men began.“)

Just getting started.

This new work of rebuilding such a holy Structure will meet many obstacles.

Delays even!

But at least now it is begun!

What this is, to Judah, is an exciting “new beginning!”

And today I am writing you on December 30, 2017, the next-to-last day of the year. I’ll be preaching, Lord willing tomorrow (several times in Revival, it being Sunday) on the 31st. (Not writing here on the Website … so I need to say this to you all right now.)

Look at 2018 (the Lord willing) as a “beginning,” rather a “new beginning,” for you in your walk with the Lord!

Serve Him the next 52 weeks with fresh energy!

With all your heart … like a runner who was just handed a cool glass of water on a hot day! A second burst of enthusiasm!

Furthermore, BEGIN some new this coming year for your (our) Lord.

A new Bible Study project.

Fresh resolve to read through your whole Bible, all 1189 chapters.

Determination to pray for that missionary every day the sun rises!

(Right now I am trying to obey Hebrews 10:24 … “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” Wow!)

A new habit … not missing a single Church Service all year long … unless sick … in other words, not missing due to some lame excuse!

I need write no more.

Surely the Holy Spirit has “taken over” in your heart by now, offering His Own (though similar, I suspect) suggestions as well.

They (in Ezra’s day) BEGAN to set forward the work of the House of the Lord.

We (in our day) should also BEGIN some great things for the Glory of the very same God!

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

The Temple area which the returning (from captivity) Jews located was essentially the remains of the Temple of Solomon, built hundreds of years earlier (500 years, in round numbers).

Ezra 3:1-7 has already told us about the rebuilding of the altar. (Thereby establishing a place for worship, for atoning bloodshed, in accordance to God’s Word, Instructions.)

Now comes the rebuilding of the Temple proper.

Ezra 3:8 relates the timeline: “Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, IN THE SECOND MONTH, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, TO SET FORWARD THE WORK OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD.”

Verse 10 gives the “spirit” of this great construction (re-construction) process! “And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with TRUMPETS, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with CYMBALS, to PRAISE the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.” Ezra 3:10

Victory, exaltation of the dear Lord!

Both the verses I have just used have “hints” in them about that first building of the Temple, long ago!

Notice which month the construction began. “In the second month” of the year. Note now which month marked the beginning of building Solomon’s grand Temple. 1 Kings 6:1 … “And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is THE SECOND MONTH, that he began to build the house of the LORD.”

A match!

Further note that Ezra 3:10 (just quoted above) refers to King David, his great spirit of praise, “the sweet Psalmist of Israel.” See 2 Samuel 23:1 where David is given that title!

My “point” today …

Everything Zerubbabel and his helpers did was based on precedent! They built during those pivotal days … with an eye to the past! One writer said, “continuity with the past was continually being established.”

Doing today’s WORK with the pattern of God’s PAST ACTS in mind!

Still, in other words, walking in the “old paths!”

What a thought for us who serve the Lord in these last days.

I should preach night after night (verse after verse, too) with old Alexander Maclaren and W. A. Criswell and Matthew Henry (and a host of others expositors) in my “rear view mirror!”

Preach with the spirit and fervor of Dr. Oliver Greene and Dwight Moody and Billy Sunday!

Serving God remembering those of yesteryear who did so faithfully and without compromise!

“Continuity with the past!”

By the way, this introduces the idea of reading the biographies of those great men and women, some of whom gave their lives serving Jesus.

Proverbs 13:20 does clearly say: “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.” Yes, read their life stories. Learn how they thought and acted and worshipped! Is this not “walking with them,” via literature? This is surely the very essence of Hebrews 11:4, “they being dead yet speak.” Then … let us listen!

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Yesterday we noticed this verse: “And they (the Jews) set the altar upon his bases; FOR FEAR WAS UPON THEM BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE OF THOSE COUNTRIES: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.” Ezra 3:3

Remember? “The closer one lives to God (via the altar and sacrifice and worship) … the more protected that person might be (via the Hand of the Lord).” At least that was the principle I tried to annunciate yesterday. God was able (and willing) to guard the Jews … even though the “people” around them hated them and sought their destruction!

James 4:8 again comes to mind: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, and purify your hearts.”

But now today a slightly different view of the same verse, Ezra 3:3. (The Bible is often multi-dimensional in its implications, applications too.)

Let’s get started …

“And they set the altar upon his bases; FOR FEAR WAS UPON THEM BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE OF THOSE COUNTRIES: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.”

Why such fear?

Maybe because those “people” were so very wicked!

Maybe because that wickedness had before (prior to the Babylonian Captivity) infiltrated Israel and led to her dispersion throughout the world!

Maybe because Israel (more specifically here Judah) had learned during her 70 year “punishment” … to staunchly fear sin!

To stay “separated” from evil!

To “touch not” any unclean thing!

But then, what is the solution (the antidote) to compromising with such sin?

The altar of God! Blood-stained as it is!

Staying close to God!

Worshipping God (in spirit and in truth)!

“Wherewithal shall a young man CLEANSE his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” So says Psalm 119:9.

Or Psalm 119:11 even. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN against thee.” Worship God … fear (and refrain from) sin!

Knowing God, Who is first met at an altar (concerning which Calvary, Golgotha, the Cross, is the Supreme Altar) … and learning His (the Lord’s) Detestations … “These six things doth the LORD HATE: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19, if God so hates these abominations, we should therefore avoid them at all costs!

Building an altar … because of a (healthy) fear of the sins of the (either heathen or hypocritical) people of surrounding nations! THAT’S CERTAINLY A PROPER KIND OF FEAR IN WORSHIPPING GOD!

As I close today, back to our Text, Ezra 3:3 … “And they set the altar upon his bases; FOR FEAR WAS UPON THEM BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE OF THOSE COUNTRIES: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.”

Maybe all I’ve said today is …

FEAR GOD … AND YOU WILL CONSEQUENTLY FEAR SIN!

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Today we reach Ezra chapter 3 in our course through that whole little (divinely inspired) Book of History. At least the first three verses: “And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.” Again, this is Ezra 3:1-3.

More about the “seventh month” tomorrow. God had commanded three religious Observances that month alone. It is really the “high point” of Israel’s year!

We here have a conclave, a gathering of the people in the presence of the officiating priest of that day, Jeshua. And their governmental, civic leader, Zerubbabel. But he is never said to be King, by no means.

And look, the first order of worship … build an altar!

Blood sacrifice, returning to the “old ways” God had taught them all the way back to Moses, really all the way back to Adam I suspect!

” … they builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. And they set the altar upon his bases …”

Remember, the first piece of Furniture one faced when coming to both the Tabernacle and the Temple was such a ALTAR! No worship without bloodshed! No approaching God without sin being atoned!

But then, surprisingly, a line is added to our Text (by the Holy Spirit Himself) that is absolutely thrilling! Look, this is what I mean …

“And they set the altar upon his bases; FOR FEAR WAS UPON THEM BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE OF THOSE COUNTRIES: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.”

Fear?

Because of their neighbors!

What kind of neighbors?

Non-believers in the Lord God Almighty!

Enemies of Judah!

Haters of true worship!

Opponents with sabotage on their minds, destroying what the Jews were building. Or at least retarding their progress!

Yes, “And they set the altar upon his bases; FOR FEAR WAS UPON THEM BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE OF THOSE COUNTRIES …”

Then they began regular, daily worship. ” … and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.”

The people of Judah so feared the adversaries all around them … that they felt they POSITIVELY MUST begin (properly) worshipping the Lord!

In other words, they apparently believed THE CLOSER THEY GOT TO GOD … consequently, THE MORE PROTECTION FROM HIS HAND THEY WOULD ENJOY!

That GOD would keep His Eye and His Hands and His Mind (for safety) upon His obedient, humble, blood-bringing people!

A fact that still carries freight … all these years later!

For example … “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his ENEMIES to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7

Or … “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

Or to such an obedient people God distinctly promised … “The LORD shall cause thine ENEMIES that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.” Deuteronomy 28:7

Wow!

This is why I have titled today’s Lesson “ONE of the innumerable benefits” of worshipping God in spirit and in truth. That benefit being “safety!”

I will close with Proverbs 21:31 … “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: BUT SAFETY IS OF THE LORD.” Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Are YOU “right” with God?

Oh yes … “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts.” James 4:8

 

In Ezra chapter 2 one of Judah’s leaders is named, “Zerubbabel” to be specific. Remember, the man Ezra does not appear in the Book that bears his name until chapter 7. But thereafter, he (Ezra) virtually dominates the remaining chapters.

Read with me. “Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city; WHICH CAME WITH ZERUBBABEL …” Ezra 2:1-2, of course after Zerubbabel’s name comes other leaders as well.

Why is Zerubbabel mentioned first? “Which came with ZERUBBABEL: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah.” Ezra 2:2, the next clause in the verse, ten more men of Judah.

Because he is the “leader” certainly, but also because he is of the Tribe of Judah, and a descendent of David the great King!

Yes, Zerubbabel was the grandson of King Jehoiachin. And Jehoiachin was the son of godly King Josiah! Definitely, royal blood! (I did careful research on this. It is accurate.)

But … not once in the Book of Ezra is Zerubbabel called “King.” Or even “Prince.” Though he was qualified! Not a hint of a popular move to enthrone him!

God had already said (promised) of Israel: “For the children of Israel shall ABIDE MANY DAYS WITHOUT A KING, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim.” Hosea 3:3, “Many days” that had not then ended! Still have not ended!

And though Zerubbabel had the right kind of BLOOD … he did not live at the right TIME to be placed on a throne as King of Judah!

Really, the next King of Judah (King of all Israel in fact) will be JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD! When He gloriously comes again to rule on this earth!

God does everything “on time,” folks!

Solomon beautifully reminds us of this fact in Ecclesiastes 3:11 … “He (the Lord) hath made every thing beautiful in His time.”

He, the Father, sent Jesus to earth … right on time. (Galatians 4:4 … “But when the FULNESS OF THE TIME WAS COME, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman.”)

And Jesus died right on time, God’s time! (Romans 5:6 … “IN DUE TIME Christ died for the ungodly.“)

He is coming again “on time” as well! (The Father already knows the precise time! Mark 13:32 … “But of that DAY and that HOUR knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”)

No king … until the Real King!

Oh by the way, Psalm 31:15 reminds each of us to say: “My times are in thy hand, O Lord.”

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Plus this. Had Judah then sought to place Zerubbabel on the throne, that act might have been viewed by Persia (who had been so good to the Jews) as insubordination or even a form of rebellion! It likely would not have been a prudent move! God always knows best!