Day #66: Ezra 1-4, "Return & Rebuild"

Ezra 1 - 4

Nothing would have been more significant, and more surprising, than for the Jewish exiles to hear King Cyrus of Persia decree that they return to Jerusalem to “rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel” (1:3). Yet that’s exactly what took place in the year 538 B.C., as recounted both in the end of 2 Chronicles, and in the opening lines of Ezra. So nearly 50,000 of these weary exiles (including servants & singers) returned home to rebuild their lives, 70 or so years after their ancestors were taken captive to Babylon (a handful of them would have been alive at the time of the exile as well). With a mixture of joy and sorrow, they set to work at rebuilding God’s house. Yet not all the inhabitants in and around Judea were excited to see this work undertaken. Through discouragement, intimidation, and political petitioning, a successor to King Cyrus would eventually order the work halted. Would the LORD see to it that this good work is completed? Tune in tomorrow to find out! 
 
Reflect:  What good work might the Lord be doing around you now? In your life personally? If you’re married, in the life of your family? In the life of our church? In the life of our city? Nation? World?
Take a moment to reflect on some specific good work you think God is up to. Do you think He will complete that work? 
 
Connect:  You may not ultimately know whether the LORD will complete the work that came to mind, but the Apostle Paul, in writing to the church at Philippi, lets us know one thing is for certain: the LORD will complete the work of salvation He began in us!
 
And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6

- Rev. John McCombs