By Susan H.
Another Thanksgiving has come and gone. Every year I maintain my resolve that I will not allow holiday business to rob me of the true meaning behind Thanksgiving - a time for giving thanks. Yet each year I feel as though that resolve gets swallowed up by a giant turkey vulture.
I know I am not alone with the directions my thoughts wander. None of which even slightly resemble thankfulness. Usually, my first thought is, “Christmas is right around the corner.” I will appropriately follow that thought up with two simple words, “Black Friday.”
How is it that I have completely skipped over Thanksgiving in an attempt to rush around for Christmas? Eventually reality wakes me up and my focus will at least be on the appropriate holiday. Unfortunately, still my questions haunt me, “Should I make pumpkin or apple pie, sausage or cornbread stuffing, turnips or mashed potatoes?
Finally, all the food preparation is done. The meal is cooked and the family gathers around the table. A prayer of Thanksgiving is offered and we each have the opportunity to thank God for something he has done in our lives. It is at this point that I wonder, “Choose one thing?” There are so many. Where do I begin? Should I say something really big or really spiritual? As I reflect on God’s goodness, I realize how I am thankful for the small as well as the not so small things in my life. I am also sorry that I allow life to rush past without taking time to enjoy those moments that are truly important in life.
I think next year I will follow my daughter’s example. She is teaching my two year old granddaughter the true meaning of thankfulness. She stuck a straggly tree branch in a pot and each night the family would gather and place a construction paper leaf on a branch with something they were thankful for. One night my granddaughter was thankful for cookies and her father was thankful for her bedtime. It’s the small things that count!
"Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Could You Do Me A Favor?
Could you do me a favor?
Have you ever asked anyone that question? Has anyone ever asked a favor of you? Chances are the answer to both of those questions would be a resounding “yes”.
I have this one relationship in my life whose history is marked by favors. Over the years we have watched each others kids, ran each others errands and spent more then one phone call listening to each others struggles. What makes this single relationship different from most others is that we have come to a place where there is less inquiring and more aspiring. Our relationship is increasingly characterized as one that looks for premeditated opportunities to help each other out. We look to do favors for each other on purpose before the other even thinks to ask. As I write this I confess that she is much better at it then me. I am still an apprentice.
In my study of Ezra I learned something really interesting about this man’s relationship with God. Six times I saw “the gracious hand of God was on him” within the pages of this book. In Biblical terminology, graciousness of God would be interchangeable with the favor of God. I couldn’t help but wonder what was it about this man that allowed him to walk in the kind of favor that I saw described in this book. I need go no further then Ezra 7:9c-10.
“the gracious hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” (emphasis mine)
Ezra devoted or gave his whole heart and soul, to not only studying God’s law but also to doing and teaching it. I don’t think what drove Ezra to this kind of Bible study and radical level of obedience was so much a sense of duty but an overflowing love for God. I can’t help but wonder if there is a direct correlation between the favor that I walk in with God and my whole hearted devotion to these same things.
I believe Ezra enjoyed a radical relationship with God (he is referred as the second Moses in Jewish synagogues) because of his wholehearted desire to know and love God through His word. Because of that priority God was able to pour out favor upon favor in his life. Maybe the same things that afforded Ezra that kind of favor are identical for me as well. While I know that in Christ I am a favored child of God, is there more that I can have in Him? As I dive head first into the scriptures and learn about who my God is and not merely reading the word but doing it, might I bask in that same kind of favor Ezra had too? Could it be about cultivating a deep and satisfying relationship with God through His Word that I am after? Is that what I need to live in the gracious hand of favor of God?
Maybe it is kind of like the relationship I have with my friend. Over the years we have spent a considerable amount of time getting to know and love each other. I would like to say it was all blossoms and sunshine but a tried and true friendship rarely is. But I think because we have opted to understand and love through those difficult times we can now enjoy the security where we don’t need to ask each other for a favor, we already have it. Not all of my friendships are characterized in this manner. This one is truly special and greatly cherished at least on my end. I think that is what God desires to have with each one of us as well; a relationship of pure devotion. As I write this my heart swells with gratitude for my God and this friend He has given me. I think I feel a premeditated favor coming on.
“The Lord confides in those who fear him, he makes his covenant known to them.”
Psalm 25:14
Have you ever asked anyone that question? Has anyone ever asked a favor of you? Chances are the answer to both of those questions would be a resounding “yes”.
I have this one relationship in my life whose history is marked by favors. Over the years we have watched each others kids, ran each others errands and spent more then one phone call listening to each others struggles. What makes this single relationship different from most others is that we have come to a place where there is less inquiring and more aspiring. Our relationship is increasingly characterized as one that looks for premeditated opportunities to help each other out. We look to do favors for each other on purpose before the other even thinks to ask. As I write this I confess that she is much better at it then me. I am still an apprentice.
In my study of Ezra I learned something really interesting about this man’s relationship with God. Six times I saw “the gracious hand of God was on him” within the pages of this book. In Biblical terminology, graciousness of God would be interchangeable with the favor of God. I couldn’t help but wonder what was it about this man that allowed him to walk in the kind of favor that I saw described in this book. I need go no further then Ezra 7:9c-10.
“the gracious hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” (emphasis mine)
Ezra devoted or gave his whole heart and soul, to not only studying God’s law but also to doing and teaching it. I don’t think what drove Ezra to this kind of Bible study and radical level of obedience was so much a sense of duty but an overflowing love for God. I can’t help but wonder if there is a direct correlation between the favor that I walk in with God and my whole hearted devotion to these same things.
I believe Ezra enjoyed a radical relationship with God (he is referred as the second Moses in Jewish synagogues) because of his wholehearted desire to know and love God through His word. Because of that priority God was able to pour out favor upon favor in his life. Maybe the same things that afforded Ezra that kind of favor are identical for me as well. While I know that in Christ I am a favored child of God, is there more that I can have in Him? As I dive head first into the scriptures and learn about who my God is and not merely reading the word but doing it, might I bask in that same kind of favor Ezra had too? Could it be about cultivating a deep and satisfying relationship with God through His Word that I am after? Is that what I need to live in the gracious hand of favor of God?
Maybe it is kind of like the relationship I have with my friend. Over the years we have spent a considerable amount of time getting to know and love each other. I would like to say it was all blossoms and sunshine but a tried and true friendship rarely is. But I think because we have opted to understand and love through those difficult times we can now enjoy the security where we don’t need to ask each other for a favor, we already have it. Not all of my friendships are characterized in this manner. This one is truly special and greatly cherished at least on my end. I think that is what God desires to have with each one of us as well; a relationship of pure devotion. As I write this my heart swells with gratitude for my God and this friend He has given me. I think I feel a premeditated favor coming on.
“The Lord confides in those who fear him, he makes his covenant known to them.”
Psalm 25:14
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Ezra's Cry to the Lord
Taught by Janet R.
Notes by Linda G.
Today Janet covered chapter 9 of Ezra. She opened the class by asking the class a question: “How many of you have found yourself (or someone you know) in an environment that was so despicable that you (or they) didn’t know what to do?”. Many of the women offered instances of people they knew who were in such situations. These answers set the scene to what we will see in Ezra 9.
“After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, "The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices, like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians and Amorites. They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them. And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness" “(Ezra 9:1-2).
Janet then asked the question : “Have you ever been in a situation where you know God has told you something from His word and you then see a believer who is not doing as God commanded?”. She then asked: “What do you do about it?”. A discussion followed in the class. Two observations stuck with me. One woman said that you need to pray about it, seek God through His Word, and be led by the Holy Spirit, whose job it is to convict. Another said that you should make sure that the person with whom you are speaking truly knows that you love them. It is not so much that you do love them, but they need to know this. If someone truly knows that you love them they will likely receive the message.
Ezra 9:2 describes the situation Ezra was facing “They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them. And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness”. In the next verse we see that Ezra was broken by what he had seen. “When I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled” (Ezra 9:3).
Ezra 9:6-15 is Ezra’s plea to the Lord on behalf of himself and his people. Janet pointed out that Ezra prayed with true humility. “O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens “(Ezra 9:6). She mentioned it is so easy for us to point the finger at someone else and their sin, yet Ezra did not separate himself from the sin of the people. He cried out to the Lord. Janet asked the rhetorical questions: “Do we cry out to the Lord?, “Are our hearts burdened by the sin in our land?”.
It should be noted that Ezra was burdened by what he had seen in the church. He wasn’t crying out on behalf of the multitudes but on behalf of the Lord’s own Chosen People. This is something to think about.
Janet encouraged us all to pray over those in leadership over us. She suggested we pray for our pastors, the President, our bosses, our mayors and our Governor.
The following are admonitions that Janet closed the class with:
*We have to start doing what God says.
*Have we cried out to God for the things we need release from?
*Have we cried out and interceded for other?
*Do we cry out daily to be led by the Holy Spirit?
*Are we asking more and being thankful less?
*Is God controlling my thoughts?
*Am I persevering in prayer?
Notes by Linda G.
Today Janet covered chapter 9 of Ezra. She opened the class by asking the class a question: “How many of you have found yourself (or someone you know) in an environment that was so despicable that you (or they) didn’t know what to do?”. Many of the women offered instances of people they knew who were in such situations. These answers set the scene to what we will see in Ezra 9.
“After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, "The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices, like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians and Amorites. They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them. And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness" “(Ezra 9:1-2).
Janet then asked the question : “Have you ever been in a situation where you know God has told you something from His word and you then see a believer who is not doing as God commanded?”. She then asked: “What do you do about it?”. A discussion followed in the class. Two observations stuck with me. One woman said that you need to pray about it, seek God through His Word, and be led by the Holy Spirit, whose job it is to convict. Another said that you should make sure that the person with whom you are speaking truly knows that you love them. It is not so much that you do love them, but they need to know this. If someone truly knows that you love them they will likely receive the message.
Ezra 9:2 describes the situation Ezra was facing “They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them. And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness”. In the next verse we see that Ezra was broken by what he had seen. “When I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled” (Ezra 9:3).
Ezra 9:6-15 is Ezra’s plea to the Lord on behalf of himself and his people. Janet pointed out that Ezra prayed with true humility. “O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens “(Ezra 9:6). She mentioned it is so easy for us to point the finger at someone else and their sin, yet Ezra did not separate himself from the sin of the people. He cried out to the Lord. Janet asked the rhetorical questions: “Do we cry out to the Lord?, “Are our hearts burdened by the sin in our land?”.
It should be noted that Ezra was burdened by what he had seen in the church. He wasn’t crying out on behalf of the multitudes but on behalf of the Lord’s own Chosen People. This is something to think about.
Janet encouraged us all to pray over those in leadership over us. She suggested we pray for our pastors, the President, our bosses, our mayors and our Governor.
The following are admonitions that Janet closed the class with:
*We have to start doing what God says.
*Have we cried out to God for the things we need release from?
*Have we cried out and interceded for other?
*Do we cry out daily to be led by the Holy Spirit?
*Are we asking more and being thankful less?
*Is God controlling my thoughts?
*Am I persevering in prayer?
Thursday, November 11, 2010
It is Sufficient!
“I am not enchanted with today”. They were the words a friend of mine posted on her facebook wall yesterday.
Before I even landed my feet on the carpet this morning my mind echoed that very thought. It wasn’t going to be an enchanting day. With the stubborn tenacity that has come to be my mainstay these last several years, I rolled over and placed each throbbing foot on the floor and gingerly lifted myself up off the bed determined to not allow this disease to rob me of this day. I couldn’t help but muse “how old am I anyway? 80?” Then I was reminded of my mother who is 82 and springs out of bed ready for anything and I readjusted that to “ok maybe 90”.
I poured that crucial first cup of coffee and settled into the most comfortable spot commanded by my current condition. I heaved a sobering sigh as I thought of all the things that I had planned to do but knew would have to wait for another time. I have come to accept that when faced with this kind of day, agendas are going to have to be flexible. I’ve grown accustomed to those first several hours filled with confusion, stiffness and achiness that would override any schedule I might have and demand to be acknowledged. I have learned to adapt. While most days are walked out with a satisfying amount of productivity, there are these kind and they are less then enchanting.
As I sat sipping my coffee with my Bible opened in my lap, my mind started to flood with all manner of anxiety that I face when I am having a bad day. How will I get everything done now that I am behind schedule? Who will I have to disappoint today because I can’t come through for them? What if it isn’t only today? What if it gets worse? What if I am back in bed again like those days in the beginning? I have a tendency to escalate my fears.
It is then that I purposely reminded myself “it is sufficient”. I then pull out a worn index card and read, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34
There is a certain daily-ness of God that I have come to learn to appreciate. God tells us several times in scripture not to think about tomorrow but to focus on the day at hand. His desire is for us to walk with Him daily with our attention directed on what He has planned for us on any singular day. I think we spend too much time thinking about the future and not enough about the present or even more importantly the past.
Every year we celebrate Passover in our home. The Passover meal is central around the Haggadah. The Haggadah means “the telling” and it is a story that is retold every year. It tells of the miraculous works of God as He cared for the children of Israel in ancient times through His mighty deliverance of them from slavery in Egypt. There is one particular part during “the telling” that I particularly enjoy. It is called “Dayenu” and it means “it would have been sufficient.” The speaker reads a sentence and the rest of the participants shout dayenu. Let me share this portion of my Haggadah with you.
“If the Lord had merely rescued us, but had not judged the Egyptians,” dayenu
“If He had only destroyed their gods, but had not parted the Red Sea,”
dayenu
“If He had only drowned our enemies, but had not fed us with manna,”
dayenu
“If He had only led us through the desert, but had not given us the Sabbath,”
dayenu
If He had only given us the Torah, but not the land of Israel,
dayenu
But the Holy one, blessed be He, provided all of these blessings for our ancestors. And not only these, but so many more.”
(emphasis mine)
Can I draw your attention to the words that I have emphasized? I am always provoked by this part of the seder. If God had only rescued me from my past life apart from Him and made me His treasured possession, would that be sufficient? If God had only made me His child but not performed miraculous wonders would that be sufficient? If God gave me just enough grace for each day, would it be sufficient? Living in America, we can sometimes forget how much we have. We have more then enough but we often focus on what we don't have rather then what we do. I think that I sometimes fall into a spiritual greediness and find myself less then satisfied with what wonderful things God has already done for me and I direct my gaze at what I lack.
Jesus warned the disciples of this very thing. “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:19-20) Just as Jesus gave the disciples a wake up call, sometimes I need one too. God had done so much for me, so what if I have an occasional bad day. I need to be careful not to forget what He has already accomplished in my life.
It is early afternoon and I still haven’t gotten any relief. It is pretty much settled at this point that other then this post not much will get accomplished. I am ok with that. His grace is indeed sufficient. If He had more planned for me then there would be more grace. “Sufficient for today is its own trouble.” I think I could do some baking for my family though. With a houseful of men with an innate love for home baked goods, that would surely veil any inadequacies of productivity. Hmm the smell of fresh baked cookies. I think that could make the day a little more enchanting.
Dayenu!?
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you may abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8
Before I even landed my feet on the carpet this morning my mind echoed that very thought. It wasn’t going to be an enchanting day. With the stubborn tenacity that has come to be my mainstay these last several years, I rolled over and placed each throbbing foot on the floor and gingerly lifted myself up off the bed determined to not allow this disease to rob me of this day. I couldn’t help but muse “how old am I anyway? 80?” Then I was reminded of my mother who is 82 and springs out of bed ready for anything and I readjusted that to “ok maybe 90”.
I poured that crucial first cup of coffee and settled into the most comfortable spot commanded by my current condition. I heaved a sobering sigh as I thought of all the things that I had planned to do but knew would have to wait for another time. I have come to accept that when faced with this kind of day, agendas are going to have to be flexible. I’ve grown accustomed to those first several hours filled with confusion, stiffness and achiness that would override any schedule I might have and demand to be acknowledged. I have learned to adapt. While most days are walked out with a satisfying amount of productivity, there are these kind and they are less then enchanting.
As I sat sipping my coffee with my Bible opened in my lap, my mind started to flood with all manner of anxiety that I face when I am having a bad day. How will I get everything done now that I am behind schedule? Who will I have to disappoint today because I can’t come through for them? What if it isn’t only today? What if it gets worse? What if I am back in bed again like those days in the beginning? I have a tendency to escalate my fears.
It is then that I purposely reminded myself “it is sufficient”. I then pull out a worn index card and read, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34
There is a certain daily-ness of God that I have come to learn to appreciate. God tells us several times in scripture not to think about tomorrow but to focus on the day at hand. His desire is for us to walk with Him daily with our attention directed on what He has planned for us on any singular day. I think we spend too much time thinking about the future and not enough about the present or even more importantly the past.
Every year we celebrate Passover in our home. The Passover meal is central around the Haggadah. The Haggadah means “the telling” and it is a story that is retold every year. It tells of the miraculous works of God as He cared for the children of Israel in ancient times through His mighty deliverance of them from slavery in Egypt. There is one particular part during “the telling” that I particularly enjoy. It is called “Dayenu” and it means “it would have been sufficient.” The speaker reads a sentence and the rest of the participants shout dayenu. Let me share this portion of my Haggadah with you.
“If the Lord had merely rescued us, but had not judged the Egyptians,” dayenu
“If He had only destroyed their gods, but had not parted the Red Sea,”
dayenu
“If He had only drowned our enemies, but had not fed us with manna,”
dayenu
“If He had only led us through the desert, but had not given us the Sabbath,”
dayenu
If He had only given us the Torah, but not the land of Israel,
dayenu
But the Holy one, blessed be He, provided all of these blessings for our ancestors. And not only these, but so many more.”
(emphasis mine)
Can I draw your attention to the words that I have emphasized? I am always provoked by this part of the seder. If God had only rescued me from my past life apart from Him and made me His treasured possession, would that be sufficient? If God had only made me His child but not performed miraculous wonders would that be sufficient? If God gave me just enough grace for each day, would it be sufficient? Living in America, we can sometimes forget how much we have. We have more then enough but we often focus on what we don't have rather then what we do. I think that I sometimes fall into a spiritual greediness and find myself less then satisfied with what wonderful things God has already done for me and I direct my gaze at what I lack.
Jesus warned the disciples of this very thing. “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:19-20) Just as Jesus gave the disciples a wake up call, sometimes I need one too. God had done so much for me, so what if I have an occasional bad day. I need to be careful not to forget what He has already accomplished in my life.
It is early afternoon and I still haven’t gotten any relief. It is pretty much settled at this point that other then this post not much will get accomplished. I am ok with that. His grace is indeed sufficient. If He had more planned for me then there would be more grace. “Sufficient for today is its own trouble.” I think I could do some baking for my family though. With a houseful of men with an innate love for home baked goods, that would surely veil any inadequacies of productivity. Hmm the smell of fresh baked cookies. I think that could make the day a little more enchanting.
Dayenu!?
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you may abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The Gracious Hand of Our God
Taught by Jan S.
Notes by Linda G.
Today Jan taught on Ezra, chapter 8. She began her lesson by giving us an overview of what the journey from Babylon to Jerusalem would entail. As a reminder, the first group that returned had come under the leadership of Zerubbabel in 537 B.C. and encompassed about 50,000 people. The second group that would return under the leadership of Ezra was much smaller, approximately 4,000-5,000 individuals. Ezra’s return was 79 years after Zerubbabel's.
In chapter 8:2-14, Ezra documents the family heads that would be returning with him. Jan used this as interesting insight into Ezra the man. Last week we learned ‘..Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel’ (Ezra 7:10). We know that Ezra was a man fully devoted to the things of the Lord. What we see in this passage, Jan pointed out, is that God had given Ezra a gift of administration. Ezra needed this gift to accomplish to work God had entrusted to him. We see that Ezra was a true leader. We see that he kept detailed records of those on the journey. This would be using his gift of administration. He was a priest. He was a scribe, (a teacher of the law).
Verse 15 tells us that all those who would be making the journey were assembled together. Ezra realized that there were no Levites in the group. According to Deuteronomy 33:10, the responsibility of the Levites was to teach God’s precepts to Jacob and His law to Israel, offer incense and whole burnt offering at God’s temple. Ezra was returning to Jerusalem to reinstate worship in the temple. The inclusion of Levites was critical.
Jan asked the question “what did Ezra do about this situation?”. We see the answer in the following verses. Ezra sends leaders and men of learning to gather the needed individuals who would be able to serve in the temple. Jan also led us in a discussion considering why these individuals may not have been eager to join the journey initially. After all, she pointed out, being a Levite was a gift of God. As we already know, this journey would take about four months and would cover approximately 900 miles. We may take for granted the ease and comfort in which we now travel, but for the Israelites this would have been an arduous journey. The Levites were not physical laborers – they were men of learning and study. Going on such a journey would be well outside their comfort zone. (Something to ponder..Is God calling you to something outside your comfort zone?? The best place to be is in His will!)
Ezra recounts “Because the gracious hand of our God was on us… (Ez 8:18). The men Ezra sent sent returned with 38 Levites and another 220 temple servants. This is another example of those God called were gifted to accomplish the task before them. As the Levites were gifted to carry out their duties, the temple servants would have been gifted as well. These temple servants would have been responsible for the daily physical upkeep of the temple (as the Levites were responsible for the spiritual upkeep).
Jan then expanded upon the topic of spiritual gifts. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-8). Jan pointed out that we are all given spiritual gifts for the edification of the body. She wanted us to think about the gifts that we believe God has given to us and how we feel when we are using this/these gift(s). Arlene also mentioned that if you are not sure what your gifts are to ask a Christian friend who knows you well. Other people can sometimes see your gifts more clearly than you can.
In verse 21 we see that the Israelites are ready to begin their journey home. Jan asks the question “what does Ezra do next?”. He calls for a fast: “There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions (Ez 8:21)”. Before the Israelites can begin the physical journey they need to prepare spiritually. Jan gave us something to think about….when we are headed on a journey of any kind, even for a family vacation, do we prepare ourselves spiritually? We see in verse 24 that there was also a physical component to their preparation. There were massive amounts of gold and silver to be moved for use in the temple.
The following verses point to a truth that is as relevant to us today as when it was written. “I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him. So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer “(Ez 8:21-22). Like Ezra, we cry out to God for many reasons but do we trust Him with the outcome? Jan surmised that many times we pray as Ezra did but then we go off and do our own thing.
A few verses that speak to this very idea are as follows:
Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
Proverbs 3:5-7 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil”.
James 1:6-8 “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does”.
Jan taught that Ezra put God’s reputation on the line. The bottom line is that God did indeed protect the Israelites on their journey and He was glorified. “The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way (Ezra 8:31b)”. It should be noted that their protection was not a small matter. The traveling party was small in number compared to the group that had left under Zerubbabel. They were transporting a fortune in gold and silver. Their journey was through desolate lands.
Finally we see in verse 32 that they had arrived at their destination. When the exiles arrived they did three things:
1) The silver and gold were delivered. “Everything was accounted for by number and weight, and the entire weight was recorded at that time (Ez 8:34)”.
2) Then the exiles who had returned from captivity sacrificed burnt offerings to the God of Israel” (Ez 8:35b).
3) "They also delivered the king's orders to the royal satraps and to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, who then gave assistance to the people and to the house of God". (Ez 8:36).
Jan then posed the question, “why would these pagan people help the Israelites?”. A few of the answers the class gave were: they saw the presence of God upon the Israelites, they saw the evidence of the Israelites faith and were drawn to it, and that it was evidence of the hand of God’s favor upon them.
In conclusion, Jan gave us a question to think about…”what is the one thing that is needed for the Israelites to be a viable community?”.
What is your answer? We’d love to hear from you!
Come back next week for the answer.
Notes by Linda G.
Today Jan taught on Ezra, chapter 8. She began her lesson by giving us an overview of what the journey from Babylon to Jerusalem would entail. As a reminder, the first group that returned had come under the leadership of Zerubbabel in 537 B.C. and encompassed about 50,000 people. The second group that would return under the leadership of Ezra was much smaller, approximately 4,000-5,000 individuals. Ezra’s return was 79 years after Zerubbabel's.
In chapter 8:2-14, Ezra documents the family heads that would be returning with him. Jan used this as interesting insight into Ezra the man. Last week we learned ‘..Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel’ (Ezra 7:10). We know that Ezra was a man fully devoted to the things of the Lord. What we see in this passage, Jan pointed out, is that God had given Ezra a gift of administration. Ezra needed this gift to accomplish to work God had entrusted to him. We see that Ezra was a true leader. We see that he kept detailed records of those on the journey. This would be using his gift of administration. He was a priest. He was a scribe, (a teacher of the law).
Verse 15 tells us that all those who would be making the journey were assembled together. Ezra realized that there were no Levites in the group. According to Deuteronomy 33:10, the responsibility of the Levites was to teach God’s precepts to Jacob and His law to Israel, offer incense and whole burnt offering at God’s temple. Ezra was returning to Jerusalem to reinstate worship in the temple. The inclusion of Levites was critical.
Jan asked the question “what did Ezra do about this situation?”. We see the answer in the following verses. Ezra sends leaders and men of learning to gather the needed individuals who would be able to serve in the temple. Jan also led us in a discussion considering why these individuals may not have been eager to join the journey initially. After all, she pointed out, being a Levite was a gift of God. As we already know, this journey would take about four months and would cover approximately 900 miles. We may take for granted the ease and comfort in which we now travel, but for the Israelites this would have been an arduous journey. The Levites were not physical laborers – they were men of learning and study. Going on such a journey would be well outside their comfort zone. (Something to ponder..Is God calling you to something outside your comfort zone?? The best place to be is in His will!)
Ezra recounts “Because the gracious hand of our God was on us… (Ez 8:18). The men Ezra sent sent returned with 38 Levites and another 220 temple servants. This is another example of those God called were gifted to accomplish the task before them. As the Levites were gifted to carry out their duties, the temple servants would have been gifted as well. These temple servants would have been responsible for the daily physical upkeep of the temple (as the Levites were responsible for the spiritual upkeep).
Jan then expanded upon the topic of spiritual gifts. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-8). Jan pointed out that we are all given spiritual gifts for the edification of the body. She wanted us to think about the gifts that we believe God has given to us and how we feel when we are using this/these gift(s). Arlene also mentioned that if you are not sure what your gifts are to ask a Christian friend who knows you well. Other people can sometimes see your gifts more clearly than you can.
In verse 21 we see that the Israelites are ready to begin their journey home. Jan asks the question “what does Ezra do next?”. He calls for a fast: “There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions (Ez 8:21)”. Before the Israelites can begin the physical journey they need to prepare spiritually. Jan gave us something to think about….when we are headed on a journey of any kind, even for a family vacation, do we prepare ourselves spiritually? We see in verse 24 that there was also a physical component to their preparation. There were massive amounts of gold and silver to be moved for use in the temple.
The following verses point to a truth that is as relevant to us today as when it was written. “I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him. So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer “(Ez 8:21-22). Like Ezra, we cry out to God for many reasons but do we trust Him with the outcome? Jan surmised that many times we pray as Ezra did but then we go off and do our own thing.
A few verses that speak to this very idea are as follows:
Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
Proverbs 3:5-7 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil”.
James 1:6-8 “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does”.
Jan taught that Ezra put God’s reputation on the line. The bottom line is that God did indeed protect the Israelites on their journey and He was glorified. “The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way (Ezra 8:31b)”. It should be noted that their protection was not a small matter. The traveling party was small in number compared to the group that had left under Zerubbabel. They were transporting a fortune in gold and silver. Their journey was through desolate lands.
Finally we see in verse 32 that they had arrived at their destination. When the exiles arrived they did three things:
1) The silver and gold were delivered. “Everything was accounted for by number and weight, and the entire weight was recorded at that time (Ez 8:34)”.
2) Then the exiles who had returned from captivity sacrificed burnt offerings to the God of Israel” (Ez 8:35b).
3) "They also delivered the king's orders to the royal satraps and to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, who then gave assistance to the people and to the house of God". (Ez 8:36).
Jan then posed the question, “why would these pagan people help the Israelites?”. A few of the answers the class gave were: they saw the presence of God upon the Israelites, they saw the evidence of the Israelites faith and were drawn to it, and that it was evidence of the hand of God’s favor upon them.
In conclusion, Jan gave us a question to think about…”what is the one thing that is needed for the Israelites to be a viable community?”.
What is your answer? We’d love to hear from you!
Come back next week for the answer.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Filtering Our Soul
At the end of this past summer, my husband and I turned off the pool filter to prepare for closing the pool for the winter. The water would no longer circulate and impurities filtered out. As it often does, life got busy as fall approached. We kept forgetting to call our pool company to come close the pool.
Each day we’d glance out the window and notice small changes; one day the water was slightly green, the next a big pile of leaves had blown off a tree and sunk to the bottom, the steps began to have algae growth and each day the water was a little less clear and a lot more green until it was a dark, murky blackish green. These were small changes, but little by little, they built up.
Looking out the window the other morning I remarked, “you know it doesn’t take much for still water to return to its natural state of filth-leaves, bugs, algae. You really have to stay on top of it daily with the chemicals and filter to keep it pure.”
It suddenly struck me, isn’t that just like our spiritual life? And like the pool water, it doesn’t take much for our soul to return to it’s natural state of “filth”, that is, original sin. In Mark 7:21 it says “For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts...” and Psalm 51:5 says, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” We let little sins in here and there, maybe thinking, “what? it’s just a little white lie” or “no one will even miss this item I’m taking” or “she deserved that harsh tone I used, she was in the wrong.” The water of our soul becomes contaminated bit by bit, like our pool water.
I realized that my everyday life is full of times where I let my soul water turn green-when I wasn’t loving like Jesus or faithful like Abraham; where I was harsh where I should have been gentle, prideful where I should have been humble. When I let moments-days!-like that build up I begin to feel a distance from God. Like the neglected pool water, my neglected soul turns a murky, blackish green so that I can’t even see or feel the Lord.
So, as the pool water needs daily filtering and chemicals, so do our souls. Make sure you apply the Holy Spirit “chemical” and a large dose of Jesus tabs; make sure your soul is filtered daily through God’s Word and don’t forget to dive deep into the purifying mix of worship and fellowship.
God calls us to be holy, to be pure, only through daily surrender, filtering and cleaning can we be so.
Oh, and don’t worry, our pool is back to normal and will be ready to swim in again next summer-you won’t become immersed in the murk!
Genesis 4:7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
Each day we’d glance out the window and notice small changes; one day the water was slightly green, the next a big pile of leaves had blown off a tree and sunk to the bottom, the steps began to have algae growth and each day the water was a little less clear and a lot more green until it was a dark, murky blackish green. These were small changes, but little by little, they built up.
Looking out the window the other morning I remarked, “you know it doesn’t take much for still water to return to its natural state of filth-leaves, bugs, algae. You really have to stay on top of it daily with the chemicals and filter to keep it pure.”
It suddenly struck me, isn’t that just like our spiritual life? And like the pool water, it doesn’t take much for our soul to return to it’s natural state of “filth”, that is, original sin. In Mark 7:21 it says “For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts...” and Psalm 51:5 says, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” We let little sins in here and there, maybe thinking, “what? it’s just a little white lie” or “no one will even miss this item I’m taking” or “she deserved that harsh tone I used, she was in the wrong.” The water of our soul becomes contaminated bit by bit, like our pool water.
I realized that my everyday life is full of times where I let my soul water turn green-when I wasn’t loving like Jesus or faithful like Abraham; where I was harsh where I should have been gentle, prideful where I should have been humble. When I let moments-days!-like that build up I begin to feel a distance from God. Like the neglected pool water, my neglected soul turns a murky, blackish green so that I can’t even see or feel the Lord.
So, as the pool water needs daily filtering and chemicals, so do our souls. Make sure you apply the Holy Spirit “chemical” and a large dose of Jesus tabs; make sure your soul is filtered daily through God’s Word and don’t forget to dive deep into the purifying mix of worship and fellowship.
God calls us to be holy, to be pure, only through daily surrender, filtering and cleaning can we be so.
Oh, and don’t worry, our pool is back to normal and will be ready to swim in again next summer-you won’t become immersed in the murk!
Genesis 4:7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The Taboo Two
Taught by Annie H. 11/2
Notes by Linda G.
Today Annie taught a thought provoking message based on Ezra, chapter 7. As chapter 7 opens, Artaxerxes is now king of Persia. This is about a 57 year period from the end of chapter 6 where the temple had been completed to the beginning of chapter 7. Ezra 7:1–6 details the genealogy of Ezra. Annie taught us that this was very important because it established Ezra as having spiritual authority through the direct family line of Aaron. We have learned in the course of this study how important this was to the Israelites. We see that Ezra ‘was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses (see Ezra 7:6)’. The Hebrew word for teacher in this passage is ‘sōper’. It can be translated as a scribe or teacher. As a scribe, Ezra would be extremely knowledgeable about the Torah.
Sōper can also refer to a political or administrative designation, similar to ‘secretary of state’. “The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him” (Ezra 7:6b). Ezra had been established as having political authority as well as religious authority.
“For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel (Ezra 7:10)”. Annie showed us that literally, ‘devoted’ is translated as Ezra had ‘set his heart on’ these things. Ezra didn’t just do these ‘religious’ disciplines…they were his life. She broke this verse down to its three components: 1) study, 2) observance, and 3) teaching.
As we have learned in previous studies and devotionals, an effective way of learning is by asking questions. The question Annie asked is ‘what does it mean to study God’s word?’. In Hebrew ‘daras’ (study) means a ‘careful search’. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15 KJV)”. In the NIV, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth”. Annie taught that we don’t want to study God’s word out of obligation. We want to please God. In order to be a witness to others, by word or deed, we need to know what God is saying. We learn that as we study his word. She pointed out that study is not a passive pursuit..it leads us to active obedience through observance.
The second thing we see about Ezra was that he had his heart set on observing the ‘laws and decrees’ of Israel. We don’t want to just look at the law, we want to live out the law. As Annie said, “our lives should have the Word written all over them”. The law she spoke of was love. “He (Jesus) answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind"; and, "Love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27)”. We obey the 10 commandments, not just in word, but in spirit.
The third aspect of Ezra’s devotion that Annie touched on was teaching of the ‘laws and decrees’ of Israel. She explained that this is not just a formal education secession. This also means sharing your testimony with others – what the Lord has done in your life. It means answering questions of those who are seeking. It means truly living your life by example. It is not just words, you don’t know whose lives you will touch by simply living out your faith in the world.
The next portion of Ezra, verses 11 through 26, is a letter King Artaxerxes had written to Ezra. (Something to ponder: this is what God’s word says about Ezra “the priest and teacher, a man learned in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the Lord for Israel (Ezra 7:11)”. Wouldn’t we want God to say the same about us? That we are women ‘learned in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the Lord for Israel’. I want the Lord to say that about me!)
In this letter we see the political authority that the king had granted to Ezra. Ezra given access to silver and gold and supplies of all manner, not just for the physical upkeep of Jerusalem, but what was needed to maintain the Temple and to worship the Lord. Ezra was also given the power to impose taxes and execute justice. The hand of the Lord truly was on this situation!!
Annie asked the question, “why would the King allow the Israelites such freedom, especially that they could practice their own religion and not the religion of Persia?”. She explained that this was good for the morale of the conquered peoples. Persia did not just do this for the conquered Israelites, but for other conquered nations as well. She explained that if they had been forced to follow foreign gods there could have been revolt. Annie made a very important point, when religion is forced upon people it does not bring true belief. God wants us to have a personal relationship with him. A true relationship with God is not borne out of fear (but out of love).
The relationship between religion and politics was then explored in a discussion in the class. The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." This means that our government does not force us to practice a specific religion, similar to what King Artaxerxes had decreed. Very often the phrase ‘separation of church and state’ is attributed to the U.S. Constitution. This is incorrect. This phrase was actually used in a letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists Association in 1802. The original text reads: "...I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. The meaning of this was to protect religious freedom, not prevent it.
Annie had asked what we, as Christians, should do today. We see evidence of our religious freedom being threatened. She noted that we do not want a theocracy (a political unit governed by a deity). We should want to keep our Jesus and our government separate. As was already noted, faith in God does not come through legislation but through relationship. It was noted that we do have an enemy and that attacks WILL come. We need to pray. We want a government that respects and protects our rights. Annie asked “Can’t we do better than King Artaxerxes did?”.
Chapter 7 ends with the following: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of our fathers, who has put it into the king's heart to bring honor to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem in this way and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king's powerful officials. Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me (Ezra 7:27-28). Ezra gives praise to the Lord for working through the secular government. We want to do the same – praise the Lord for the way in which He works. “The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases (Proverbs 21:1)”.
Notes by Linda G.
Today Annie taught a thought provoking message based on Ezra, chapter 7. As chapter 7 opens, Artaxerxes is now king of Persia. This is about a 57 year period from the end of chapter 6 where the temple had been completed to the beginning of chapter 7. Ezra 7:1–6 details the genealogy of Ezra. Annie taught us that this was very important because it established Ezra as having spiritual authority through the direct family line of Aaron. We have learned in the course of this study how important this was to the Israelites. We see that Ezra ‘was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses (see Ezra 7:6)’. The Hebrew word for teacher in this passage is ‘sōper’. It can be translated as a scribe or teacher. As a scribe, Ezra would be extremely knowledgeable about the Torah.
Sōper can also refer to a political or administrative designation, similar to ‘secretary of state’. “The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him” (Ezra 7:6b). Ezra had been established as having political authority as well as religious authority.
“For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel (Ezra 7:10)”. Annie showed us that literally, ‘devoted’ is translated as Ezra had ‘set his heart on’ these things. Ezra didn’t just do these ‘religious’ disciplines…they were his life. She broke this verse down to its three components: 1) study, 2) observance, and 3) teaching.
As we have learned in previous studies and devotionals, an effective way of learning is by asking questions. The question Annie asked is ‘what does it mean to study God’s word?’. In Hebrew ‘daras’ (study) means a ‘careful search’. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15 KJV)”. In the NIV, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth”. Annie taught that we don’t want to study God’s word out of obligation. We want to please God. In order to be a witness to others, by word or deed, we need to know what God is saying. We learn that as we study his word. She pointed out that study is not a passive pursuit..it leads us to active obedience through observance.
The second thing we see about Ezra was that he had his heart set on observing the ‘laws and decrees’ of Israel. We don’t want to just look at the law, we want to live out the law. As Annie said, “our lives should have the Word written all over them”. The law she spoke of was love. “He (Jesus) answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind"; and, "Love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27)”. We obey the 10 commandments, not just in word, but in spirit.
The third aspect of Ezra’s devotion that Annie touched on was teaching of the ‘laws and decrees’ of Israel. She explained that this is not just a formal education secession. This also means sharing your testimony with others – what the Lord has done in your life. It means answering questions of those who are seeking. It means truly living your life by example. It is not just words, you don’t know whose lives you will touch by simply living out your faith in the world.
The next portion of Ezra, verses 11 through 26, is a letter King Artaxerxes had written to Ezra. (Something to ponder: this is what God’s word says about Ezra “the priest and teacher, a man learned in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the Lord for Israel (Ezra 7:11)”. Wouldn’t we want God to say the same about us? That we are women ‘learned in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the Lord for Israel’. I want the Lord to say that about me!)
In this letter we see the political authority that the king had granted to Ezra. Ezra given access to silver and gold and supplies of all manner, not just for the physical upkeep of Jerusalem, but what was needed to maintain the Temple and to worship the Lord. Ezra was also given the power to impose taxes and execute justice. The hand of the Lord truly was on this situation!!
Annie asked the question, “why would the King allow the Israelites such freedom, especially that they could practice their own religion and not the religion of Persia?”. She explained that this was good for the morale of the conquered peoples. Persia did not just do this for the conquered Israelites, but for other conquered nations as well. She explained that if they had been forced to follow foreign gods there could have been revolt. Annie made a very important point, when religion is forced upon people it does not bring true belief. God wants us to have a personal relationship with him. A true relationship with God is not borne out of fear (but out of love).
The relationship between religion and politics was then explored in a discussion in the class. The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." This means that our government does not force us to practice a specific religion, similar to what King Artaxerxes had decreed. Very often the phrase ‘separation of church and state’ is attributed to the U.S. Constitution. This is incorrect. This phrase was actually used in a letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists Association in 1802. The original text reads: "...I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. The meaning of this was to protect religious freedom, not prevent it.
Annie had asked what we, as Christians, should do today. We see evidence of our religious freedom being threatened. She noted that we do not want a theocracy (a political unit governed by a deity). We should want to keep our Jesus and our government separate. As was already noted, faith in God does not come through legislation but through relationship. It was noted that we do have an enemy and that attacks WILL come. We need to pray. We want a government that respects and protects our rights. Annie asked “Can’t we do better than King Artaxerxes did?”.
Chapter 7 ends with the following: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of our fathers, who has put it into the king's heart to bring honor to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem in this way and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king's powerful officials. Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me (Ezra 7:27-28). Ezra gives praise to the Lord for working through the secular government. We want to do the same – praise the Lord for the way in which He works. “The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases (Proverbs 21:1)”.
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