1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel…
5 And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord…
8 Next to them Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, repaired. Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, repaired, and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. 9 Next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired. …
31 After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired as far as the house of the temple servants and of the merchants, opposite the Muster Gate, and to the upper chamber of the corner. 32 And between the upper chamber of the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants repaired.
REFLECTION:
Nehemiah built the wall with division of labour. He first repaired the gate with help from different people: priests (v.5), goldsmiths, perfumers (v.8), rulers (v.9), merchants (v.32-32), and even their sons and daughters. Reflect when you serve God, are you like Nehemiah doing things according to priority, with planning and following the arrangement of church leaders?
All the people of Jerusalem devoted themselves to the huge project of rebuilding the city wall. Similarly, the work of the church also requires the cooperation of all the members in order for the body of Christ to operate efficiently (cf. 2 Cor. 12:12-27). Today, God’s house needs you, but have you done your part? Reflect how you will choose a suitable role in serving God, offering you time, talent and money.
PRAYER:
Ask God to give you wisdom to properly organize things so that you can do things step by step and not impulsively. Ask God to give you a humble heart so that you can be a good team player who follows instructions and arrangements, not for your own accomplishment but for the glory of God.
4 Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.” 6 And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. 7 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, 8 and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me…
17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20 Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”
REFLECTION:
After Nehemiah prayed, he asked the king for permission for him to return to Judah. The king approved and Nehemiah continued to ask the king to provide more support. When you need help, do you often become afraid to contact the right person and hesitate if you should raise a request? Nehemiah directly approached the person who could help him most. Do not hesitate, contact the person who can help you most! They may be more approachable than you think. Maybe God listens to your prayer through the help of that person.
Sanballat and Tobiah accused the rebuilding of the wall was an act of rebellion against the king (v.19). They also despised Nehemiah saying that the damage to the wall was so severe that it could not be rebuilt. Nehemiah did not tell them he already got the king’s permission to rebuild the wall. He only said that this is God’s will and in fact this was sufficient. Today will you serve God passionately, or will you remain stagnant for fear of others’ rumors, mocking and attack?
PRAYER:
Come before God with a quiet and firm heart. Ask God for the courage to face rumors and mocking. Ask God to be with you and strengthen your will so that you will be strong and courageous. Pray that God will establish the good work of your hands.
In the fifth century BC, many Judeans were returning from exile to the southern part of the land of Israel. They faced great difficulties: their capital city and temple had been destroyed, foreigners had moved in, and they were no longer ruled by their own king. But the books of Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah insist that God’s people can still fulfill his purpose. They must form a unique society centered on the worship of God in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. (These books are really one long book, telling a continuous story; one can see, for example, how the end of 2 Chronicles overlaps with the beginning of Ezra.)
The book presents a sweeping chronicle of Israel’s history, beginning with a long genealogy or ancestor list. Going all the way back to Adam, it situates the people of Israel among the nations and reminds them of their calling. Special attention is given to Judah, ancestor of the royal line of David, and to Levi, ancestor of the priests and temple attendants.
The second main part describes the kings who ruled in Jerusalem down to the time of the exile. David receives more attention than others, but many details of his life told elsewhere are left out. The focus is on his military campaigns and his elaborate plans for the temple in Jerusalem. The reason is clear when we see that David was not permitted to build the temple because he was a warrior. God wanted a man of peace to build the place where all nations would come to pray. The honor therefore fell to David’s son Solomon. More space is devoted to him than to any king besides David, describing his construction of the temple and the splendors of his reign.
The final part of the book relates the experiences of the returned exiles. The memoirs of Ezra and Nehemiah, leaders of the second generation of returned Judeans, are incorporated into the history. These leaders helped create a distinct community by forbidding intermarriage with the surrounding peoples, and they directed the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. Included here is a description of a great covenant renewal ceremony led by Ezra and Nehemiah.
An important theme of the entire history—which can appropriately be called a temple history—is that pure worship is offered on God’s terms, not ours. God has chosen Israel to welcome the nations into true worship. Through all the ups and downs of history he is working to bring this purpose to fulfillment.
Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”
4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.
REFLECTION:
The wall of Jerusalem was broken down. The broken city wall exposed God’s chosen people inside to external invasion. Reflect that as God’s people, do you face similar challenges? Your life is God’s temple, carefully look at the brokenness of your inner life and the trend of the world. How will you face the various challenges?
When encountering huge challenges, Nehemiah did not act immediately but rather sat down and wept and mourned for days, and he continued fasting and praying. This showed his sadness for the sins of the people and his desire for the Israelites to be re-strengthened by worshipping the only true God. Nehemiah’s prayer was full of power because his prayer consisted of praises, thanksgiving, repentance, dedication and specific supplication. After we pray sincerely, we will know what are the difficulties and that God will help us and guide us to the right path with His mighty power. After Nehemiah prayed, he knew how to begin. When facing the challenges today, are you willing to pray sincerely as Nehemiah did?
PRAYER:
Thank God for helping you to examine your life and living through the Book of Nehemiah. Ask the Heavenly Father to let you clearly see your deficiency and brokenness. If you obey and rely on God, His mighty arm will help you rebuild the city wall of your life to resist the various temptation and challenge from the world. Open your heart to God and face your weakness. Ask God to heal you, rebuild your city wall, and make you a vessel pleasing to the Lord.
1 While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly. 2 And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, of the sons of Elam, addressed Ezra: “We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land, but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this. 3 Therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God, and let it be done according to the Law. 4 Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.” 5 Then Ezra arose and made the leading priests and Levites and all Israel take an oath that they would do as had been said. So they took the oath.
6 Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God and went to the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib, where he spent the night, neither eating bread nor drinking water, for he was mourning over the faithlessness of the exiles. 7 And a proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the returned exiles that they should assemble at Jerusalem, 8 and that if anyone did not come within three days, by order of the officials and the elders all his property should be forfeited, and he himself banned from the congregation of the exiles.
REFLECTION:
The Israelites were commanded to put away their Gentile wives and their children. Although this regulation was harsh, it had to be enforced because interracial marriage was strictly forbidden. At that time, even the priests and the Levites committed this sin. Through the sincere prayer of Ezra, the Israelites confessed their sin and prayed for God’s guidance on how to restore the relationship with God. True repentance is not just lip service, it has to include correction of behaviour and change of attitude. This may require us to pay a great price. Reflect if you still have sins that have not been confessed or repented. If yes, you have to frankly admit and genuinely repent before God. You also need to have actions that reflect your repentance even if they are costly. Only then can you pray for God’s forgiveness and receive His mercy and grace.
The Book of Ezra recorded the history of the Israelites’ return after their exile. Not only has it described the rebuilding of the temple but also the restoration of their relationship with God. The road of restoration was not an easy one for it had tears, falls and dangers. However, through the journey they came to know God more and experience God’s love, righteousness and faithfulness. Today are you also on the heavenly journey of “return” and “rebuild”? What enlightenment do you get from this book that makes your life journey a pilgrimage path that leads you closer to God’s mercy seat step by step.
PRAYER:
Repent to God for a sin that you have not confessed. Ask God to give you the courage to repent and correct even though you may have to pay a high cost. Ask God to guide you so that you will not depart from His truth and teaching, and will walk on a path according to His will.
1 After these things had been done, the officials approached me and said, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, from the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. 2 For they have taken some of their daughters to be wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands. And in this faithlessness the hand of the officials and chief men has been foremost.” 3 As soon as I heard this, I tore my garment and my cloak and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat appalled. 4 Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the faithlessness of the returned exiles, gathered around me while I sat appalled until the evening sacrifice. 5 And at the evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garment and my cloak torn, and fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God, 6 saying:
“O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens…
REFLECTION:
Since the period of the Judges, the Israelites had been marrying Gentile women as wives and participating in pagan religious activities (c.f. Judg. 3:5-7). Even the great King Solomon committed this sin (c.f. 1 Kings 11:1-8). Although God strictly forbade this, the Israelites did not repent while their descendants repeated the same mistake at Ezra’s time. Forbidding interracial marriage was not racial discrimination; God gave this order entirely for spiritual reasons. People will easily move to the faith and custom of another race if they married a person of that race. If we disobey God in such an important matter as marriage, we naturally lack the strength to resist the idols worshipped by the spouse. Therefore, Ezra prayed to God and confessed that the Israelites had committed the sin of marrying Gentile women. Although Ezra did not committed this sin himself, he was ashamed that the Israelites committed the sin and worried for the consequences that the sin would bring. He hoped the Israelites would see their own mistake and repent. Today the church also need a spiritual community to pray and watch for the holiness of the church so that it will not be contaminated by the world. Are you willing to pay more effort for keeping the holiness of yourself and the church?
PRAYER:
Quiet before the Lord and pray to God for the holiness of yourself and the church. Ask God to strengthen your heart so that you can be a witness for God in your church and your family by living a holy life. Ask God to mold you towards spiritual maturity so that you may be a core member of the spiritual community of the church.
15 I gathered them to the river that runs to Ahava, and there we camped three days. As I reviewed the people and the priests, I found there none of the sons of Levi. 16 Then I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, leading men, and for Joiarib and Elnathan, who were men of insight, 17 and sent them to Iddo, the leading man at the place Casiphia, telling them what to say to Iddo and his brothers and the temple servants at the place Casiphia, namely, to send us ministers for the house of our God. 18 And by the good hand of our God on us, they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli the son of Levi, son of Israel, namely Sherebiah with his sons and kinsmen, eighteen; 19 also Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, with his kinsmen and their sons, twenty; 20 besides 220 of the temple servants, whom David and his officials had set apart to attend the Levites. These were all mentioned by name.
21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. 22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.
REFLECTION:
Ezra’s return to Jerusalem was delayed as he waited for the response of the Levites on the call to join the returning team. God called the Levites to take on a special role, but few were willing to pay the price. Imagine if you were one of the Levites at that time. Are you willing to accept Ezra’s call to return to Jerusalem? Have you been used to the life in Babylon that you don’t feel the importance and urgency of returning and rebuilding the temple? Rebuilding the temple was a huge task that required great courage in leaving your “comfort zone”. Only if you see the vision will you have the strength to take on the challenge. This is the same for Christians to rebuild our holy life today. Are you willing to leave your comfort zone and respond to God’s calling?
Ezra knew that God would protect His people but he did not take it for granted. He knew that prayer was the way to receive God’s blessings so he humbly fasted and prayed with the people, and God listened to their prayer. Fasting made them humble because hunger reminds people to rely on God. Fasting could also save them more time for praying and meditating. Our prayer is often superficial with too much emphasis on word decoration. Solemn prayer requires our focus and concentration. It can completely change us and help us understand God’s will. Without earnest prayer, we will treat God as a tool for digging a well when we are thirsty. Reflect if your prayer is of depth and strength or it is superficial.
PRAYER:
Ask God to give you courage and strength so that you can leave your comfort zone and respond to God’s calling to actively face the challenges of spiritual growth. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and help you to pray in spirit and in truth, and to build an intimate relationship with God.
1 Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah … 5 son of Aaron the chief priest—
6 this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.
7 And there went up also to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king, some of the people of Israel, and some of the priests and Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple servants. 8 And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9 For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him. 10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel…
27 Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem, 28 and who extended to me his steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty officers. I took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.
REFLECTION:
Ezra was a scribe and the descendent of Aaron the High Priest. He determined to study and obey God’s law. We can see from Ezra that he was a very gifted preacher. Not only did he continue to grow in God, he also helped God’s people continue to grow. He learned God’s law by heart and was dedicated to follow it, not only by his words but also by his deeds. Hence he prospered in all that he did. Ezra even praised God for what God had accomplished through using him. Ezra did not boast about his talent and charisma but he only gave glory to God. Reflect how you can follow Ezra’s example of not boasting his achievements but instead doing everything for the glory of God.
PRAYER:
Be quiet before the Lord and examine if there is inconsistency between your word and deed in the church, family and workplace. If there is, thoroughly confess and repent to God. Ask God to give you the humility to follow the example of Ezra that you will glorify God in your daily life by your honest words and holy deeds.
13 Then, according to the word sent by Darius the king, Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates did with all diligence what Darius the king had ordered. 14 And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia; 15 and this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
16 And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. 17 They offered at the dedication of this house of God 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel 12 male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. 18 And they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their divisions, for the service of God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses.
19 On the fourteenth day of the first month, the returned exiles kept the Passover. 20 For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were clean. So they slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves. 21 It was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and also by every one who had joined them and separated himself from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to worship the Lord, the God of Israel. 22 And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
REFLECTION:
The rebuilding of the temple was finally finished. It was about 4 years after the work of Haggai and Zechariah, 21 years after the laying of the foundation, and 23 years after King Darius made the proclamation. Waiting, patience and hope are important lessons for discipline in our faith. Are there some important things that we have prayed about for a long time but remain unanswered, that we begin to be discouraged about and give up our hope on God’s promise? We are not passive when waiting patiently, as we have many ways to seek for God’s help. Has it ever come to your mind that He is the Almighty God who can change everything? His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are higher than our ways. You must first change yourself as the first step, while at the same time you have to keep in mind that God can change and accomplish everything. Do you have such faith and hope?
PRAYER:
Pray for a matter that you have prayed for a long time but still not answered. First ask God to change your attitude so that you can discern if this matter is pleasing to God and in accordance with God’s will.
1 Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. 2 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.
3 At the same time Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and their associates came to them and spoke to them thus: “Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?” 4 They also asked them this: “What are the names of the men who are building this building?” 5 But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until the report should reach Darius and then an answer be returned by letter concerning it.
REFLECTION:
The Gentiles living around Jerusalem raised argument to stop the rebuilding of the temple. When this was still under argument and not came to a decision, the Jews already continued their work. As we work for God, we must move on by faith when the work is delayed, disturbed or being attacked. No matter who is blocking God’s work, God will accomplish His will on earth. As God looked after the Jewish leaders in the past, He will look after you today. Just as how He sent prophets to help the Jews in the past, He will send different people in the church to help you today. You just have to concentrate on fulfilling God’s will and not be stumbled by conspiracy and slander.
PRAYER:
Be quiet before God and tell Him the obstructions and difficulties you encountered in your life and your ministry. Ask God for greater faith to believe that God’s will shall be done no matter the circumstances. Ask God to give you wisdom that as you seek God’s help, you also know how to seek other people’s help.
1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers’ houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.” 3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers’ houses in Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we alone will build to the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”
4 Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build 5 and bribed counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
REFLECTION:
It is inevitable for Christians to encounter difficulties in doing works for God. Unbelievers and evil spiritual powers will often attack God and His people. They put forward a friendly gesture (4:2) as to seek for partnership, but the underlying purpose is to take the opportunity to defeat and threaten us (4:4-5), and even to frame us (4:6). If you can see through their tricks, the enemies will not prevail. When difficulties come, we should boldly act according to God’s plan, trusting God and looking carefully at how He leads us to overcome the difficulties. Remember in all eras throughout history, God’s people would always encounter difficulties. We just have to rely on the Lord and He will lead us into victory. When you are in despair and fear, you can surely overcome the difficulties and fulfill God’s will through the mutual support of brothers and sisters in Christ.
PRAYER:
Ask God to guard your life and you works, not to let you suffer from enemy’s attack and fall into Satan’s trick. Ask God to give you courage and faith so that you can put your hope in God and boldly fulfill His will in difficult times.
