August 6- Rebuilding 101

August 6, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Ezra 3:1-4:23; 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4;
Psalm 28:1-9; Proverbs 20:24-25

Each of us is carving a stone, erecting a column, 
or cutting a piece of stained glass in the construction of something much bigger than ourselves. 
~Adrienne Clarkson

Ezra 3:1-4:23

Each year millions of high school graduates go off to college to pursue a degree from an accredited university.  The daunting task of scheduling classes in one's freshman year are made easier by the numbering system that tells a person which courses are the beginning courses of a particular discipline.  Let's say that you are going to be a history major.  As you peruse the college course catalogue, you see that there are three courses on early American history.  How do you know which course you should take as a freshman?  The beginning course is numbered with 101.  This 101 class will be an introductory course designed to lay a foundation of knowledge on which to build your education in American history.  Today, Jeshua and Zerubbabel are professors in a biblical course called Rebuilding 101.  They will teach us how one succeeds in doing a work of God.


As we read yesterday, approximately 50,000 faithful Israelites decided to leave Babylon and return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of God.  They had the command of King Cyrus of Persia and money from the captive Israelites, a million of whom lived in Babylon for seventy years to rebuild.  No project can be accomplished without the vision of good leaders.  In today's story, Jeshua, a priest, and Zerubbabel begin the task of leading the people of Israel in rebuilding.  Note that God uses a priest (Jeshua) and a prince of Israel (Zerubbabel) to accomplish this great work. 

So what does Scripture show from this story in how to succeed in rebuilding?  First, we learn that these men consult the law of Moses on how to approach this task according to God's will.  Next, they build the altar of God and begin to institute regular burnt offerings on the altar.  They worship and celebrate according to the Jewish religious calendar.  They give freewill offerings to materially support the work.  Finally, they lay the foundation upon which the Temple will be rebuilt.  We are told that 200 male and female singers are part of this first group to return to Jerusalem.  The worship experienced throughout this project is an important aspect of doing things God's way.

Consulting the Law of Moses, in order to follow God's prescribed way of creating the Temple, teaches us that God's Word should be our guide in building God's Kingdom on earth.  Building the altar and reinstating the offerings and sacrifices proved that the Israelites, who returned, believed in a future Messiah whose work on their behalf would provide redemption from their sins.  The sacrificial work of the Messiah is key to building God's Temple.  In our lives, Christ and his sacrificial death on the cross are the key works that build God's kingdom on earth.  Just as the ancient Israelites gave a freewill offering for the work, we must be willing to give materially to promote the spread of God's Good News during our time on earth.  With worship and praise, our work is to be lifted up to God.  The foundation of God's kingdom is laid on these principles of faith, followed in obedience to God.

How are you doing in Rebuilding 101?  Are you relying on God's Word, putting Christ first, giving freely, and worshiping in the process?  Are you working to bring about God's kingdom on earth?

It should be noted that whenever a group determines to do a work for God, enemies will arise to attempt to thwart God's kingdom.  For the Israelites, the local people, who had stayed in the land come, to offer assistance.  The leaders of the remnant are not interested in blending with this group.  As a result, these potential allies reveal that they are truly enemies.  They seek to stop the work by discouraging and frightening the people.  They offer bribes to agents to frustrate their plans.  Finally, they convince King Artaxerxes that the Jews in Jerusalem are rebuilding the Temple as an act of subversion.  King Artaxerxes acknowledges the power of past Israelite kingdoms according to the recorded history at his disposal, and demands that the work on rebuilding the Temple stop.

At this point in the story it appears that the enemies of God have won. Do you have things in your life that serve as enemies to stop you through fear or discouragement from accomplishing a work for God?  Do your own fears stop you from accomplishing what you could for God?

1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4

Paul reveals that God made wisdom before the foundation of the world with the express purpose of benefiting the believers in Christ who would become part of God's family.  This secret wisdom is being revealed through Paul and the apostles of Christ.

Paul explains that this wisdom is received through God's Holy Spirit.  This is one of the purposes of the Holy Spirit on earth. It is the Spirit's words that explain spiritual truths. People who are not Christians cannot understand these concepts.  Understanding these things requires that one have the mind of Christ.  It is the Holy Spirit that gives a person the mind of Christ.

Do you have the mind of Christ?  How have you realized this as you have studied Scripture?

Paul explains that his initial interaction with the Corinthians was like feeding a baby milk.  If you have ever had a child, you know that it is a long process to get that child to the point of eating solid food, even longer to have the child eat large pieces of meat.  Initially, a baby can only tolerate milk.  Next, comes soft cereal, then mushed vegetables and eventually, after they teething, small bits of meat.  The Corinthians are babies in their faith.  Their lack of maturity is seen in their squabbles over who is the better spiritual leader.

Paul explains that this immaturity stunts the amount of information about God they are able to absorb. Jealousy, quarrels, and being controlled by one's own desires prevents maturity.  Fighting over Apollos and Paul limits their ability to eat meat, spiritually.  It also makes the Corinthians unable to understand some of the deeper secrets of God that are only available for those who have the mind of Christ.

How about you?  Are you a steak eater or milk drinker in your faith?  Is your life marked by peace or dissension?

Psalm 28:1-9

This is a psalm where David is crying out for God to do the work in his life.  It is in His strength that we receive salvation.

Proverbs 20:24-25

The Lord directs our steps.  That is the only way we can make sense of the road we are traveling.

What did you learn today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton