In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared how the people of Israel told “Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai and their companions”, “in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God. And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor. And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place”, and in chapter five and verse sixteen of Ezra, Ezra shared, “then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God at Jerusalem” where we read,
Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now has it been in building, and yet it is not finished.
The verse reads, “Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem:”Ezra began with the words, “then came the same Sheshbazzar” which means “at that time the identical and selfsame Sheshbazzar whose name means worshiper of fire and was the prince of Judah at the first return from exile in Babylon; usually identified as the Babylonian name for Zerubbabel”, “and laid the foundation” which means “and set, placed and delivered the strong base” “of the house of God” or “pertaining to the habitation, abode and dwelling place belonging to the Supreme Deity” “which is in Jerusalem” which means “that exists within Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”. Ezra shared how the letter explained that “Sheshbazzar” established the base of the sacred temple of Jehovah God which was located in “Jerusalem”.
The verse goes on to say, “and since that time even until now has it been in building, and yet it is not finished.” Ezra continued with the words, “and since that time” or “and from then or that moment” “even until now” which means “indeed till the present time” “has it been in building” or “the sacred worship place in Jerusalem has been erected and made”, “and yet it is not finished” which means “and still the sacred worship place has in no way been completed, rendered in full or restored”. Ezra shared how the letter told king “Darius” that the sacred worship place was being built from the time of “Cyrus' decree” but was still not completed.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra more about what was included in the letter sent by “Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai and their companions” to Darius the king of Persia. Previous to “Darius' reign”, “Cyrus” gave the people of Israel the commission to return to their homeland, rebuild their temple and carry the silver and gold utensils of the temple back with them. When the kings of Persia wrote a decree, that command took precedence over every other ruling even if it came from the one who wrote it. The people of Israel knew the written word could not be altered, and God's word will not return unto Him void. (See Isaiah 55:11) At Cyrus' commission, “Sheshbazzar or Zerubabbel” began the process for the rebuilding of the temple by laying the strong base, however, the building was not finished. We must remember that Jehovah God was overseeing all these things, and although the process was long, He would help the people of Israel to complete their work. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us. He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, and when we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, we will be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given the commission to build His “temple” throughout the world.
Next time Ezra shared how Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai and their companions, wrote, “if it seem good to the king”, 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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