Proof is needed to rebuild

Ezra Chapter 5


At the time when prophets like Haggai and Zechariah prophesied in the name of the God of Israel to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem, Zerubbabel again began the task of rebuilding the Temple. And all the prophets of God were with them and helped them. But Tattenai, governor of the province west of the Euphrates, and Shethar-bozenai, soon arrived in Jerusalem and asked the people where they got permission to rebuild. They asked for a list of names of all the people who were working on the Temple. But because God was watching over them, the leaders of the Jews were not prevented from building until a report was sent to Darius and his decision returned.


In their letter to Darius, Tattenai, Shethar-bozenai and other officials of the province went of the Euphrates informed him that they viewed the construction site and the material used were specially prepared and the work being done with great energy. When they asked the people who gave them permission to rebuild and demanded a list of names of the workers, they were told that the workers were "servant of the God of heaven and earth" and were rebuiding the Temple that was there years ago. But because their ancestors angered the God of heaven, he abandoned them to King Nebuchanezzar of Babylon, who destroyed the Temple and exiled the people. King Cyrus issued a decree that the gold and silver utensils be returned to the Temple and he appointed a governor to oversee safekeeping of the sacred items. But now, the king was being asked to search the royal archives and see if King Cyrus really issued a decree to rebuild this Temple.



BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Ezra may have kept his chronological account a little out of order. It may have been 10 years since the Israelites had worked on the Temple and they did not begin again until the second year of Darius's reign.




HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? God sent prophets Haggai and Zechariah not only to preach, but to get involved in the labor in rebuilding. They encouraged the people and strengthened them in their work. In our churches today , God appoints prophetic voices to help us with our work. And their ministry should have the same effect as Haggai and Zechariah's did.


Yours in Christ,
Mary


Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother whose cancer has returned and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them.
And pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.
Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.
Update on Marthaline Sargent. She lost her battle with health problems and passed away last Tuesday. Our condolences to her son Patrick and daughter Stacey. Continue to pray for her husband Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.
Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who will soon undergo chemo for his prostate cancer.
Pray for John’s recovery from a heart attack and pray he can stop smoking.
Pray for Debbie who lost her home in a fire last week.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.