RTW September 9

It’s Good To Be Back Home

“Here is the list of the Jewish exiles of the provinces who returned from their captivity. King Nebuchadnezzar had deported them to Babylon, but now they returned to Jerusalem and the other towns in Judah where they originally lived.”
Ezra 2:1

 

 

My Takeaways

Something Old

Oh, it is good to be back home. It is good to be back in Judah.

There is an end to captivity!

Something New

Returning Back to God might mean relaxing or rebuilding.

  • Rebuilding requires sacrifice.
  • Rebuilding requires being unified with God.
  • Rebuilding requires obedience.
  • Rebuilding requires following the ways of God.
  • Rebuilding might involve others.
  • Rebuilding results in praise.

Something to Do

Cooperate with my Builder.

 

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4 Comments

  3. I’m finally caught up! the past two days of readings have really impacted me and spoken loudly in a way that I haven’t experienced before in reading the Word. I too was so struck by the fact that the Israelites were filled with such joy and thankfulness just from the laying of the foundation reminding me that each phase-each season of my life is cause for celebration when I am submitted to God. Don’t despise the day of small beginnings.

    Something New: They didn’t start construction of the temple until the second year after they arrived. But this didn’t stop them from bringing their offerings and celebrating the festival of shelters. They weren’t waiting for everything to be perfect before honoring God. I felt Holy Spirit nudging me when reading this, saying “what are you waiting for?” Some good stuff to ponder today. What AM I waiting for?

    Something to do: be present in the NOW. Offering thanksgiving and praise for the NOW. He is faithful!!! This has been the theme of what the Lord has been speaking to me for the past month! It’s a challenge for someone who is destination-driven!!

  4. My Takeaways: Promise fulfilled

    Something Old: Oh, Happy Day! After 70 years the people could finally see the Promise of the Lord being fulfilled. 50,000 people returning to their homeland. What a sight this must have been to see. How wonderful! Their first order of business was to rebuild the Temple. They were ready to restore their relationship with God and renew their commitment to him. They had many sins of which to repent and God’s Sanctuary was of utmost importance.They were not wasting time. As soon as they arrived the altar was built, the beginning of their restoration process, a desire for renewal.

    Something New: “But many of the older priest, Levites, and other leaders who had seen the first temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation.” -Ezra 3:12. I wondered where the sadness came from. Where the old men grieving from the previous sins that were the cause of the rebuilding? Maybe they were sad because this Temple in comparison to the old Temple was nothing? Where they only seeing it as a building and forgetting the spirtual aspects of it? I don’t no their reason for their sadness but I do know that God wants me to serve him wholeheartedly and this is what the people were doing in building the new Temple. Their attitudes were in check with what God would care most about. God wants my whole heart. He does not compare my accomplishments with others accomplishments. He only wants my heart to be right. The exiles had learned from their past mistakes. They had a changed heart which was worth rejoicing about!

    Something To Do: Seek to serve God wholeheartedly. Seek his guidance in everything. Rededicate myself to living as He commanded. Ask Him daily to forgive my sins.

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