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!

 

 

As the Jews returned from captivity each man or woman apparently had to prove his or her ancestry. Especially this was so of the leaders. (Remember, priests could only serve IF they were of the Tribe of Levi and of the family of Aaron, one of his descendants.)

And not everyone was able to do this …

Ezra 2:59-63 … “And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: BUT THEY COULD NOT SHEW THEIR FATHER’S HOUSE, AND THEIR SEED, WHETHER THEY WERE OF ISRAEL: the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two. And of THE CHILDREN OF THE PRIESTS: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name: THESE SOUGHT THEIR REGISTER AMONG THOSE THAT WERE RECKONED BY GENEAOLOGY, BUT THEY WERE NOT FOUND: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things.”

Wow!

The Book of Ezra nearly “majors” on the idea of purity, of separation. We shall notice that fact again and again as we journey through the Book.

Who are these so denied?

Folks who let their identity “slip.”

Folks whose “heritage” was not worth recording, preserving.

And probably folks who figured they would be admitted to Jewish privileges … no questions asked!

So really Ezra chapter 2 is “inclusive,” for the most part, listing the heads of nearly 50,000 Israelites who “came home” at that first opportunity. But the chapter is “exclusive” as well … as our Text today clearly reveals.

But … how do we apply this fact … this tragedy … to our everyday lives?

As professing Believers in Jesus, we too are warned about “making sure” of our birthright!

Paul, for example: “EXAMINE YOURSELVES, whether ye be in the faith; PROVE YOUR OWN SELVES. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be REPROBATES?” 2nd Corinthians 13:5

Are you sure you’re written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?

“And there shall in no wise enter into it (New Jerusalem, Heaven) any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:27

Be part of the “in” crowd!

And if you’re not, here’s an invitation right now. “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37, sinner friend … YOU are God’s gift to His Son Jesus … come to Him today! He will gladly receive any broken-hearted, repenting soul!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Merry Christmas!

We love you all in the Lord.

Jesus, in Psalm 40:7, said … “LO, I COME!”

And indeed He did!

 

As I noted yesterday, Ezra chapter 2 is the longest in the Book.

Yet (I noticed earlier this morning) it begins and ends with the same note, probably a clue to one of the facts the Holy Spirit is therein emphasizing.

Let me show you. I will capitalize the phrase in focus …

Ezra 2:1 … “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 could also include the suburban area, countryside, around those cities.

Now Ezra 2:70 … “So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt IN THEIR CITIES, and all Israel IN THEIR CITIES.”

Wow!

Cities!

Let me remind you, there has been a decades-long gap between the time these Jews last lived in Israel … and the time of their (Ezra 2) return to that dear homeland of theirs!

Technically, seventy years!

Jeremiah 25:11 … “And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon SEVENTY YEARS.”

Read the next verse too. “And it shall come to pass, when SEVENTY YEARS ARE ACCOMPLISHED, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.” Wow! As God predicted, Babylon fell and the Persians took over!

But best of all, Jeremiah 29:10 … “For thus saith the LORD, That AFTER SEVENTY YEARS be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in CAUSING YOU TO RETURN to this place.”

That’s what is happening now in Ezra 2, the “RETURN!”

But my “point” today …

I deeply admire how these Jews instilled a love in the hearts of their children (a word used 99 times in Ezra 2, “children”) … a love for their former cities, a love for the Holy Land, the Promised Land, the country (real estate) of Judah!

Few of these returnees were even alive when they originally left Judah, as captives … being marched northward … in front of the pointed swords of cruel Babylonian soldiers!

But the old folks taught the new generation what they land meant!

Talk about passing along values to one’s children!

Talk about being old-fashioned!

Talk about following the old paths!

I so admire their tenacity and loyalty and (frankly) obedience to Almighty God!

Are WE doing that good a job teaching our children, grandchildren, future generations?

Think about it.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell