Ezra&Nehemiah “Building God’s People and Projects”

They began with building an altar at which to worship God, Ezra 3:1-7

Derek Kidner “The threatening situation had brought home to them their need of help, and therefore of that access to God which was promised at the altar….‘There (Ex 29:43) He said, I will meet with the people of Israel’.”

1 Peter 2: As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

1 Peter 2: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellences’ of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

We recognize the presence of God is more important than the scope and beauty of the work, Ezra 3:8-13

Haggai 2:3-5 “ Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes? 4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts, 5 according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.

Zechariah 4:6, 8-10 “Not by might, not by power, but by my spirit says the Lord of Hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? (of opposition) Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone (Cornerstone) amid shouts of “Grace, Grace to it.” …..Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. 10 For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.”

We must keep our Devotion to God Pure, Personal, and Persistent, 4:1-24

PSALM 33:12-22 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! 13 The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; 14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, 15 he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds. 16 The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue. 18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, 19 that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.

Three Adversaries… #1- Dilution (4:1-3) in the form of Syncretism #2 – Intimidation (4:4-5) in the form of hired Character Assassins #3- Exaggeration and Misinformation (4:6-23)- in the form of an Accusing Letter to the King