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Ezra 1-3 Good evening, thank you all for coming out tonight. Also, we want to welcome those of you viewing online tonight. Tonight we are going to be starting the Book of , as we continue our study through the here on Wednesday Nights. Before we begin tonight, I just want to remind you that this Friday is the Exalt Worship Night, it will be at 6pm here in the sanctuary and there will be Childcare as well. Those nights have been very fruitful as we have turned our attention solely upon our God in Worship. Please plan on being here, and maybe invite a friend. Let’s Pray and we will get into God’s Word this evening. So, I am excited to be through the Kings and Chronicles, so we can now get into this very important series of Books, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. Page 2 of 42

These books are actually grouped with 4 others, from the Prophets, , Zechariah, and Malachi, and the Book of Daniel is also links with this group. They all deal mostly with the close of the 70 years of captivity that the prophet predicted would make up Israel’s sabbatical years. Jer. 25:11-14 And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of seventy years. 12 'Then it will come to pass, when seventy years are completed, that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity,' says the Lord; 'and I will make it a perpetual desolation. 13 So I will bring on that land all My words which I have pronounced against it, all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah has prophesied concerning all the nations. 14 (For many nations and great kings shall be served by them also; and I will repay them according to their deeds and according to the works of their own hands.)'" Page 3 of 42

It was during this seventy years that the people of Israel were taken captive by the Babylonian Empire, and as we will see by the time those years were up, the Persian Empire had overthrown the Babylonians and had become the dominant empire at this time. Babylon was the “Fountainhead” of idol worship and false, demonic religion. Understand, all forms of wicked teachings, and false doctrines have their roots in Babylon. In the tribulation period, it rises to its prominent place in Satan’s agenda again, as it will be destroyed once and for all. Babylon’s agenda has always included to lead people away from God’s Truths, and God’s Word. And understand, the Jew’s time in this hub of Satanic worship healed them of their own lust for idols that they struggled with even early on out of Egypt, when Aaron made the golden calf, even unto Jeroboam’s golden calves, to Ahab and Jezebel’s introduction of the Canaanite form of idolatry. Page 4 of 42

They were always drawn to it… Yet, this seventy years in the midst of this pagan and wicked religion taught them very clearly the wretchedness of leaving the God of their forefathers, and His Scriptures. Really, the next part in Israel’s history will highlight their return to the Word of God. It will also carry much application for our lives even today. This is the amazing thing about God’s timeless Word, we find that even the things written long ago, have incredible meaning for our lives today Now, Ezra penned this Book during the reign of King Cyrus of the Persian Empire, who began his reign in 538 BC, again many, many years ago. The Jews saw Ezra and Nehemiah as one book, but the Christians divided into two books, but both are believed to be the same Author as 1 and 2 Chronicles, this man Ezra. Page 5 of 42

The writing styles are similar from Book to Book, and as we will see here shortly, Ezra begins just as the Book of 2 Chronicles ends. We will look at the first 3 chapters tonight, which will carry 3 important components with in the narrative. The first being, The End of the Babylonian Captivity, and the Release of the Captives. Secondly, the Remnant will Return to , and they will be listed by names and groups of people. And thirdly, the rebuilding of the Temple will begin… So let’s look at the first verse now of Chapter 1. End of the Babylonian Captivity(2 Chron. 36:22,23) 1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, Page 6 of 42

Now, to understand a fuller picture of what is taking place here, understand the true starting point of all of this is found in Daniel, who understood the times. Dan 9:2 in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. Daniel knew the times, because he was a man of the Word, and it is interesting that this man Daniel as he comes to this realization, that the time was almost fulfilled in captivity, he immediately goes to prayer. This realization brought him to his knees, and it brought him to personal confession and he even confessed the sins of the nation. And after owning up to and confessing the sins of himself and his people, Daniel boldly asks for healing, and forgiveness. Dan 9:18-19 O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which Page 7 of 42 is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name." And it is on the back of this prayer from this godly leader, God starts to move on the heart of the king of Persia. God began to answer His servant’s prayer. Perhaps it was Daniel that brought the prophetic Word to the king. Interesting it was not only Jeremiah that prophesied about the events that would come about. But Isaiah approximately 150 years before Cyrus was even born said… Isa 44:28-45:1 44:28 Who says of Cyrus, 'He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, "You shall be built," Page 8 of 42

And to the temple, "Your foundation shall be laid."' Cyrus, God's Instrument 45:1 "Thus says the Lord to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held — To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut: Now, that would have gotten the attention of this powerful king for sure, and the Lord stirs him now to fulfill the prophecy. So, Daniel’s private devotional and prayer life led to him being used greatly for the Kingdom of God’s sake, and for the Children of Israel. Don’t ever diminish or belittle your own quiet time with the Lord, being in His Word, and fellowshipping with Him in your prayer time. Of course, when you fully yield yourself to all that God speaks to you, and you obey what He is showing you, Page 9 of 42 you are allowing God to use your own life for great purposes. Andrew Murray said, “God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.” And Daniel in one way or another was used here to influence the king of Persia to make this decree concerning the Jews. It is mostly what we ended with last time in … 2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in . 3 Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. 4 And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, Page 10 of 42 besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem. Understand no man is so powerful that God cannot direct his ways. I understand today many are very concerned with the trajectory of our country, but understand, it is God who controls the times and seasons. This most powerful king was still subject to the plan of God, and he recognizes God’s Hand upon his life, especially if the Isaiah scroll was shown to him. He realized that he was placed in this prominent position to perform the will of His Creator. And although many rulers today do not recognize God’s Rule over their lives, it does not change this reality that He is. They have been put in office by God, and this is something interesting to consider. Because not all rulers are placed in their position as a blessing to the people, some are put in their place as a Page 11 of 42 means of Judgement, this was Nebuchadnezzar’s role for Israel. Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. And here Cyrus is appointed to allow the rebuilding of the Temple of God in Jerusalem, and to send the captives home. And after 70 years of captivity, the Jews will be sent back to their land. Now, why this 70 years? Well in the Book of Leviticus, in the Law, it states… Lev 25:1-4 And the Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying, 2 "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When you come into the land which I give you, then the land shall keep a Sabbath to the Lord. 3 Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit; 4 but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn Page 12 of 42 rest for the land, a Sabbath to the Lord. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard. Every seventh year was a rest year for the Land, a Sabbath. And from the time of King Saul to King Zedekiah was 490 years, when Judah went into captivity. God removed them from the land, and because they neglected to allow the land to rest, 7 years divided into 490 years, is 70 years rest. 2 Chronicles ended with this encouragement for the Hebrews to return and to rebuild Jerusalem. But it was not an easy task, and many had grown comfortable in their new lives, and only a small percent of the Jews would return home. But those obedient few needed an Encouraging Word to move ahead in this noble work. Through the Prophet Isaiah, God foretold that only a remnant would be stirred and obedient to return home. Page 13 of 42

Isa 10:22 For though your people, O Israel, be as the sand of the sea, A remnant of them will return; The destruction decreed shall overflow with righteousness. Today, we can assess that only a few of God’s People enter into the fullness of all that God has for their lives. Many read God’s Word, they know His promises, and yet they stay content in watching others take them by faith and living in the blessings of God. They never come into the Land of Promise themselves, out of fear, out of the unknown, or out of a desire to remain in the comforts of what they know. Understand God has given us His Word for a reason, and we can put our hope and faith in His many promises, the best life, one lived in obedience to God’s Word, it is the blessed life, not the easy life, but the blessed life. Now, we also see in Cyrus’ decree, that in the beginning of this work of rebuilding, the people were instructed to bring freewill offerings. Page 14 of 42

So now look starting in verse 5… 5 Then the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the , with all whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem. 6 And all those who were around them encouraged them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered. And we see here that although not everyone was willing to go, others did respond by giving to the work. They supported the work with Silver, Gold, goods and livestock and other precious and valuable things that would help on this endeavor. This was not an easy venture or a cheap one, the journey would be long and costly. Remember Jerusalem was destroyed, there were no homes waiting for their arrival. Not only that, they would face natural perils, envious enemies, and other unknown hardships. Page 15 of 42

This was the cost of remaining in God’s will. Even in our Christian Faith, there is a cost to live in obedience to God’s Will. Often what God calls us to accomplish is ominous and uncertain at times, and for many the perils of what may happen keep them frozen in fear, and they never move ahead in faith. They miss out on the wonder workings of our God. You see God will never call you to anything that He will not Himself empower and equip you to accomplish. And you will find out along the way, that those things you feared, they were very real, but God is real too, and so much bigger than any opposition that we face. When you move ahead in faith, you experience God in new and dynamic ways. Well, we need to keep going, look at verse 7 now… 7 King Cyrus also brought out the articles of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem and put in the temple of his gods; 8 and Page 16 of 42

Cyrus king of Persia brought them out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah. 9 This is the number of them: thirty gold platters, one thousand silver platters, twenty-nine knives, 10 thirty gold basins, four hundred and ten silver basins of a similar kind, and one thousand other articles. 11 All the articles of gold and silver were five thousand four hundred. All these Sheshbazzar took with the captives who were brought from Babylon to Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar had taken all the articles for worship when he had destroyed the Temple, and Cyrus of course inherited them when he overthrew Babylon. God knew where they were all along. Now they will be brought back to Israel and they are accounted for here. They will be used in the restored Worship there at the Temple once more. Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah receives oversight for all of this. Page 17 of 42

He was an important leader of the first part of the resettling of the Promise Land. Let’s look now at chapter 2, starting in verse 1… The Captives Who Returned to Jerusalem(Neh. 7:6- 73) 2:1 Now these are the people of the province who came back from the captivity, of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to his own city. So here begins the list of the families and individuals who made their return to Jerusalem. It is a very long list that we will look at only briefly… Look at verse 2… 2 Those who came with were Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: Page 18 of 42

Make note here that the first two leaders listed here are Zerubbabel and Jeshua. This man Zerubbabel will be in Nehemiah as well. The prophets Zechariah and Haggai show that these two men have a very significant role in God’s Plan here for Israel. Those two prophets give further insight to all that is happening here in Ezra and Nehemiah. Now from verses 3 to 35 we have groups who were numbered, and if you are an A student here tonight, then when you get home, you can read these names on your own. But I will not butcher them before you tonight… 3 the people of Parosh, two thousand one hundred and seventy-two; 4 the people of Shephatiah, three hundred and seventy-two; 5 the people of Arah, seven hundred and seventy-five; 6 the people of Pahath- Moab, of the people of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve; 7 the people of Elam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four; 8 the people of Page 19 of 42

Zattu, nine hundred and forty-five; 9 the people of Zaccai, seven hundred and sixty; 10 the people of Bani, six hundred and forty-two; 11 the people of Bebai, six hundred and twenty-three; 12 the people of Azgad, one thousand two hundred and twenty-two; 13 the people of Adonikam, six hundred and sixty-six; 14 the people of Bigvai, two thousand and fifty-six; 15 the people of Adin, four hundred and fifty-four; 16 the people of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety-eight; 17 the people of Bezai, three hundred and twenty-three; 18 the people of Jorah, one hundred and twelve; 19 the people of Hashum, two hundred and twenty-three; 20 the people of Gibbar, ninety-five; 21 the people of Bethlehem, one hundred and twenty-three; 22 the men of Netophah, fifty-six; 23 the men of Anathoth, one hundred and twenty-eight; 24 the people of Azmaveth, forty-two; 25 the people of Kirjath Arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty- three; 26 the people of Ramah and Geba, six hundred and twenty-one; 27 the men of Michmas, one hundred and twenty-two; 28 the men of Bethel and Ai, two Page 20 of 42 hundred and twenty-three; 29 the people of Nebo, fifty-two; 30 the people of Magbish, one hundred and fifty-six; 31 the people of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four; 32 the people of Harim, three hundred and twenty; 33 the people of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred and twenty-five; 34 the people of Jericho, three hundred and forty-five; 35 the people of Senaah, three thousand six hundred and thirty. Now verses 36-58 give us a list of the priests, Levites and the Temple Workers that were going to Jerusalem, and again, if you so desire, please read them on your own. I am not diminishing these names, God thinks every one of them are so important, as He thinks you are important tonight. God knows everyone who is involved in His Kingdom work here on earth. But again, our Western tongues have great difficulty giving justice to these names. Page 21 of 42

36 The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred and seventy-three; 37 the sons of Immer, one thousand and fifty-two; 38 the sons of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred and forty-seven; 39 the sons of Harim, one thousand and seventeen. 40 The Levites: the sons of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodaviah, seventy-four. 41 The singers: the sons of Asaph, one hundred and twenty-eight. 42 The sons of the gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, and the sons of Shobai, one hundred and thirty-nine in all. 43 The : the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth, 44 the sons of Keros, the sons of Siaha, the sons of Padon, 45 the sons of Lebanah, the sons of Hagabah, the sons of Akkub, 46 the sons of Hagab, the sons of Shalmai, the sons of Hanan, 47 the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, the Page 22 of 42 sons of Reaiah, 48 the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, the sons of Gazzam, 49 the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, the sons of Besai, 50 the sons of Asnah, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephusim, 51 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, 52 the sons of Bazluth, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, 53 the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Tamah, 54 the sons of Neziah, and the sons of Hatipha. 55 The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Peruda, 56 the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, 57 the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth of Zebaim, and the sons of Ami. 58 All the Nethinim and the children of Solomon's servants were three hundred and ninety-two. I would like to highlight verse 41 here, that there were 128 singers who went back to the Land. This is an incredible choir, and we see their presence means that there was a spirit of Praise and Worship within their hearts and lives. Page 23 of 42

When we are truly free from our captivity, goodness we sing. We can’t help but sing, as the Lord puts a new song on hearts. When Jess and I were saved, we would just drive around praising our God, hands lifted high, people staring, and we just couldn’t help ourselves. Even now, we put on worship with our kids in one of their rooms, and we all just sing, they dance, and it is just so wonderful. Even our 1 year old last night, just learning to walk was dancing to the Lord last night. I never enjoyed singing before I became a Christian, but now, although I am not too gifted in singing, I love it, I love making a joyful noise unto the Lord. Some church services I wish the worship never ended. And I just love these worship nights that Josh is putting on, just coming, and getting a whole night to worship our Lord. Page 24 of 42

You see I know what God saved me from, set me free from, and when I think about it all, and when I think about His Grace and Mercy, His Goodness, it gives me such joy in my heart, and I cannot help but sing. Friday night at 6pm, you will have this opportunity to praise your God, I hope you can join us. Look now, starting in verse 59… 59 And these were the ones who came up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they could not identify their father's house or their genealogy, whether they were of Israel: 60 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, and the sons of Nekoda, six hundred and fifty-two; 61 and of the sons of the priests: the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Koz, and the sons of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called by their name. 62 These sought their listing among those who were registered by genealogy, but they were not found; therefore they were excluded from the priesthood as defiled. 63 And the governor said to them that they Page 25 of 42 should not eat of the most holy things till a priest could consult with the Urim and Thummim. So, here is a list of the priests who could not be identified by the genealogical record. And we see the Jews now have a healthy respect toward the Law, and they do not try to cheat the system. So those who had lost their family record, were disqualified from the priesthood until the qualified priests could consult the Urim and Thummim. It is really unknown at what the Urim and Thummim were, but they were a means for the priests to consult the will of God. The terms "Urim" and "Thummim" have traditionally been understood as "light(s)" and "perfection(s)" or as

"perfect light." https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/urim-and-thummim/ But it is really unclear what it was exactly, some have described it as simple as being something to where they cast lots, and I have heard explanations that are Page 26 of 42 as supernatural as the rubies on the high priest’s vest lighting up supernaturally. Look now at verse 64… 64 The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty, 65 besides their male and female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven; and they had two hundred men and women singers. 66 Their horses were seven hundred and thirty-six, their mules two hundred and forty-five, 67 their camels four hundred and thirty-five, and their donkeys six thousand seven hundred and twenty. 68 Some of the heads of the fathers' houses, when they came to the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God, to erect it in its place: 69 According to their ability, they gave to the treasury for the work sixty-one thousand gold drachmas, five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priestly garments. Page 27 of 42

70 So the priests and the Levites, some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the Nethinim, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities. We see here even the tallies for the animals going back to Jerusalem were tracked. The first group returning totaled approximately fifty thousand. Understand there were several million Israelites at this time, so you see a great majority were not willing to step out and go, although they did give generously to the work, they did not leave. So, after two generations in exile, there was a presence of Israelites in the Land that was promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God’s Promises are coming to fulfillment, and He is now bringing back His remnant. Understand, God is faithful to His Word. Let’s look at Chapter 3 now… Worship Restored at Jerusalem Page 28 of 42

3:1 And when the seventh month had come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem. We see here it is in the seventh month on Israel’s calendar that they gathered together as one man in Jerusalem. This is an important month, 3 important Jewish Feasts take place in the seventh month of Tishri on the Jewish calendar. There is the Day of Atonement, the Feast of Trumpets and the Feast of Tabernacles. And the former captives are now in Jerusalem to celebrate them together. Verse 2 now… 2 Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of and his brethren, arose and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God. 3 Though fear had come upon them because of the people of those countries, Page 29 of 42 they set the altar on its bases; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening burnt offerings. Here again we see these two prominent and important leaders Zerubbabel and Jeshua, leading in the rebuilding of the altar. The Temple was rubble at this point, and there was no altar, and with no altar, there could be no sacrifice. First and foremost, they needed to take care of their sin problem, they could not approach God in worship until blood was spilt and sacrifices were made. This presents a wonderful picture that out of disaster, out of rubble there was now an altar to worship God. Think about what the Prophet Isaiah spoke of Jesus’ ministry… Isa 61:1-3 "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, Page 30 of 42

To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." Jesus can make beauty from ashes. Perhaps sin has wreaked havoc on your own life, you look back at the ruins that your life choices have made. You wonder if anything good can come from your life, is it even worth it to try. Listen, the Israelites first dealt with the sin there in the midst of the rubble. Page 31 of 42

Atonement was needed, and Jesus today offers you a total cleansing and washing from your sin. When we come to Jesus, He begins to make beauty from Ashes. Notice too they were obedient even though those around them did not approve of the things they were doing. They cared at this point in only pleasing God. Verse 4 now… 4 They also kept the Feast of Tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings in the number required by ordinance for each day. 5 Afterwards they offered the regular burnt offering, and those for New Moons and for all the appointed feasts of the Lord that were consecrated, and those of everyone who willingly offered a freewill offering to the Lord. 6 From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, although the foundation of the temple of the Lord had not been laid. Page 32 of 42

And here we have the various offerings, the daily offerings, the special sacrifices on the New Moon, as was required in the Law of Moses. They also offered the daily offerings, the freewill offerings as people brought them in. Verse 7… 7 They also gave money to the masons and the carpenters, and food, drink, and oil to the people of and Tyre to bring cedar logs from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the permission which they had from Cyrus king of Persia. And similar to when and Solomon started gathering materials for the work of the Temple, we see that Cyrus also decreed that provisions of cedar logs and other supplies come from Lebanon. Verse 8 now… Restoration of the Temple Begins 8 Now in the second month of the second year of their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the Page 33 of 42 rest of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all those who had come out of the captivity to Jerusalem, began work and appointed the Levites from twenty years old and above to oversee the work of the house of the Lord. 9 Then Jeshua with his sons and brothers, Kadmiel with his sons, and the sons of Judah, arose as one to oversee those working on the house of God: the sons of Henadad with their sons and their brethren the Levites. 10 When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the ordinance of David king of Israel. 11 And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord: "For He is good, For His mercy endures forever toward Israel." Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. Page 34 of 42

A worship service takes place here at the laying of the foundation. This was an incredible work, bringing huge stones, they did not have concrete foundations like we have today. They brought huge stones, from great distances to be laid for the foundations. On one of our trips to Mexico, we were adding a section on the church facilities there in La Mision. And our team was preparing the foundation, and there we rolled big, huge stones in huge trenches and these become the footings or foundation. Goodness it was back breaking work, bone crushing labor. Pastor Gustavo does not like to use tractors, but loves to have the teams work together to do this work. Now, this was a small scale to what took place there in Jerusalem. Page 35 of 42

When Solomon did this before, he had huge amounts of forced labor, here it seems this team of Hebrews did all the shoulder work. And of course, when this incredible task was complete, they gave glory to God, and a worship service took place. They sang, “For He is good, and His mercy endures forever toward Israel.” They knew it was an act of God, even though He used their shoulders to do it. They are starting to get a fuller picture of all that God is going to do. Verse12 now… 12 But many of the priests and Levites and heads of the fathers' houses, old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes. Yet many shouted aloud for joy, 13 so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of Page 36 of 42 the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard afar off. This is an interesting dynamic here. You see many of the priests and Levites and chiefs of the fathers were elders, and they had seen the first Temple, and when they saw the foundation of the New Temple was laid and they saw it, they wept. Because they had seen the former glory of Solomon’s Temple, oh, and now the consequences of their sin. This New Temple would be much smaller. Yet we see their weeping is contrasted with noise of the shout of the Joy from the Younger Generation who had never see the former things. They could not tell the sounds apart, they blended together. It is interesting here, the contrast between the wise and learned, and they young and enthused. The Younger Generation looks on usually with great optimism. Page 37 of 42

You all have heard the High School Graduation speeches, they are filled with hope and expectation, as though the world was waiting for them, just filled with opportunity. The aged on the other hand are usually sobered by an unforgiving and cruel world. It is super difficult for the young to comprehend the apprehensions of the older generation, the young usually plunge ahead disregarding the dangers and are fearless in their new works that they are aiming for. The elders many times have a hard time remembering their younger years, and in so doing they are fearful usually of entrusting the young with any special work. The old oftentimes are bogged down by years of crashed hopes and dreams, and instead of encouraging the younger to press on, they try with all earnest to hold them back. There is a tender balance in the church that needs to take place in order to avoid stifling the work of God. Page 38 of 42

The young should be wise enough to know that they can profit from the godly and sober guidance from the aged. And the elder brother and sister in turn need to show Grace and Rejoice in what God is doing though the yet fully mature saints. Critical, fault-finding older saints, even those who are committed to God’s Work, may be a huge hindrance in the spiritual life of the younger saints. They need to realize that the success or failure of those who come after them really depends on their example and leadership. The wisdom that they have learned can be shared in such a way that spurs the younger generation on in hopes of being used by the Lord. The older are the counselors to those who really have the energy and will to do what the older cannot or will not do any longer. Page 39 of 42

Of course there needs to be a humility in the younger to admit they need the guidance and a willingness to listen. But you see both are essential in the Body of Christ, the High Hopes of the young, the Joyful Shouts of expectation are just as important as the Harsh realities in this life that cause weeping. Any healthy church has a blending of both old and new. You know, studies have shown that Grandparents that are involved in their Grandkids lives, actually live longer and have more energy and life about them. The same in church, the Older Saints are given a dose of that Zeal that has waned off years ago, when they join themselves with the Younger Saint. One brings energy and life to the other, and one brings a stable sober reality to the other. It is a healthy balance. Currently I feel I am caught in between both worlds at 41 years old. Page 40 of 42

I still have the adventurous heart of my zealous early walk, but more and more and can see my need to transition into encouraging younger Timothy’s to forge ahead. I want to equip them to take the Gospel further than I ever could, I am finding Joy in seeing others used in the Ministry. I am in the Great In-Between right now, still kind of touching the younger excitement, but also, being fully aware of the hardships and cost of ministry. But wherever you are on the scale, maybe like Jacob you are saying Gen 47:9 "The days of the years of my pilgrimage are one hundred and thirty years; few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, Or maybe you are young and full of hope and zeal, like young David speaking to King Saul regarding Goliath… 1 Sam 17:32 "Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." Page 41 of 42

Wherever you are on that scale, understand you are important to the balance that is needed in the Body of Christ. It is unfortunate that the Age Divide has done so much harm to the Church, when it is supposed to serve a noble purpose. Instead, often times there seems to be an endless gulf between the generations. The two are not supposed to be conflicting, but through Grace they are to Blend Beautifully together. H.A. Ironside said, “of which the treble is carried by the joyous, youthful shouters, and the bass by the weeping patriarchs – all alike to the praise and glory of the God of all Grace, who is also the God of infinite holiness and intrinsic righteousness.” It is interesting to me, on those Friday Night Exalt Worship Nights, how the Older Saint might worship the Lord through tears so often, and the Younger Saint will worship with Joy and Expectation, both expressions are precious to our Lord. Page 42 of 42

It all depends on the season we are in doesn’t it? Well, maybe you are in a season of tears and sorrow tonight, during this last song, come up and pray with one of the Elders that will be up here. Maybe you are in a season of Joy and Thankfulness, you know this time of prayer is for that as well, bring your praise report up here, and thank the Lord. Let’s pray… See you this Friday…