In the book of Ezra, Ezra said, “Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD. Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites”, and in chapter three and verse ten of Ezra, Ezra shared what happened, “when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD” where we read,
And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
The verse reads, “And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, ...” Ezra began with the words, “and when the builders” which means “and at the time and moment the constructors and craftsmen” “laid the foundation” which means “fixed and established the base” “of the temple” or “belonging to the nave, sanctuary and sacred worship place” “of the LORD” whose name means “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” the following occurred. Ezra said the following happened at the time that the craftsmen established the base of Jehovah God's sacred worship place.
The verse goes on to say, “they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals,” Ezra continued with the words, “they set the priests” or “they, the attendants and overseers stood, presented and made upright the principal spiritual officers and chief rulers” “in their apparel with trumpets” which means “within their, the priests', outer clothing and garments and accompanying clarions which give a sundered or quavering note”, “and the Levites” or “and the descendants of Levi whose name means joined to and were the tribe specially set aside by God for His service” “the sons of Asaph with cymbals” which means “and the male offspring and progeny belonging to Asaph whose name means gatherer alongside and accompanying double tinklers or dingers”. Ezra shared how the spiritual leaders dressed in their special clothing with clarions, the descendants of Levi and their male offspring who served in the temple, and the male offspring of “Asaph” with double tinklers were set in array at the base of the temple.
Finally the verse says, “... to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.” Ezra concluded this verse with the words, “to praise the LORD” or “to shine forth glory, commendation and celebration toward Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “after the ordinance of David” which means “in keeping with the repetition, direction and consecration belonging to David whose name means blessed and was the youngest son of Jesse”, “king of Israel” or “the royal ruler and leader belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Ezra ended this verse with giving worship and celebration as the purpose for the “priests, Levites and the offspring of Asaph” being established at the base of the temple.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how there was great pomp and adornment as well as the reestablishment of the validity of the worship of Jehovah God at this dedication for the base or “foundation” of the temple of Jehovah God. Well dressed “priests” with “trumpets” and “Levites who were the sons of Asaph” were accompanied by “cymbals” to celebrate and honor Jehovah God with worship according to the direction of “King David of Israel”. This is the way God wanted it to be because when people make Him first, their lives are bettered for it. God sent His Only Begotten Son into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the opportunity to celebrate and worship Him throughout eternity.
Next time Ezra shared how, “they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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