Daily Bible Devotionals

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Ezra 4. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“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. Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel 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. Though fear had come upon them because of the people of those countries, they set the altar on its bases; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening burnt offerings.” Ezra 3:1-3 (NKJV)

In an age when most people never enter the doors of a place of worship on the Sabbath, and most others have dismissed the belief in Messiah Jesus as irrelevant and outdated, we need to ask ourselves some pertinent questions. As Christians, we claim to have the true gospel, but why are we making so little impact on the unreached masses?

Ezra 3 spells out four essential ingredients for spiritual blessing: Unity, Zeal, Obedience, and Worship. These components are indispensable and are found in every period of revival. Hence, they are urgently needed today.  

When the Jews returned to Jerusalem, they found the Temple in ruins. Their task was to restore the worship of God and rebuild the Temple. Our task is very similar. We must ask the Lord what job He has set aside for each of us to restore worship and build the “temple” made with “human stones,” the greater community of Messiah (The Church), in our generation.

We find those answers in Ezra 3. As you study today’s chapter, bear in mind that the reason for God’s choice of Israel is a companion to the reason why He has chosen to establish the Church: so that unbelievers may know His pattern of how to worship Him. The mission of God’s people (then and now) is that we would bear witness of Him to those who have yet to know Him in a saving way or are yet to worship Him rightly.

In considering the “four essential ingredients” for revival, perhaps it might help to ask a few simple questions. These questions will help you analyze yourself and determine whether you are a catalyst for (or hindrance to) revival.

1) Is there a fellow believer in my congregation with whom I have a rift?

2) Is my lack of zeal frustrating my ministry leader and holding back God’s favor on our congregation? In short, am I the “Jonah” who needs to be thrown out of the boat?!

3) How would I respond to God if He were to ask me if I genuinely believe I am living by His Word?

4) Is the Savior who shed His blood for me more precious than anyone or anything else?

5) Does my worship focus attention on men or God?

6) How could I increase these four “ingredients” in my congregation?

“These now are the people of the province who came from those captive exiles King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had deported to Babylon. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town. They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah.” Ezra 2:1-2 (HCSB)

Be honest! Did you really read every word from chapter 2? I bet you were tempted to skip it and go on to chapter 3, as was I. Though Ezra 2 is a difficult chapter to read, it contains some valuable spiritual lessons.  

The primary spiritual benefit we derive from Ezra 2 has been summed up well by H.A. Ironside:

“Most of the names are for us only names, but God has not forgotten one of the persons once called by these names on earth. He will reward each according to his work. Nothing of good or ill shall be overlooked by Him, who looks not on the outward appearance but on the heart. How little did any of these devoted Jews of Ezra’s day think that God would preserve a registry of their names and families for future generations to read and thus to learn how highly He values all that is done from the devotion of the heart to Himself and for the glory of His name!”

This genealogical section proves that the returning exiles were legitimate descendants of the Jews who occupied Israel before their deportation to Persia. More importantly, it demonstrates that God cares about and is intimately aware of the goings-on of His children. Do these people seem insignificant to you? Well, they are very significant to the Lord, and that should be comforting to us, especially when we feel alone, forsaken and insignificant in this World.

Furthermore, the gift of the land of Canaan to the Israelites and their preservation as a nation were tied in with God’s plan to send His “Son,” Jesus, the Messiah, Savior of the World. We should be thankful that God remembered these people, for in remembering them, we have faith that He also remembers us!

There are a few names worth mentioning, mainly because the persons named may be confused with other prominent Biblical persons with the same name. These people are Joshua, Nehemiah, and Mordechai. They are NOT the “Joshua” who led Israel into Canaan after Moses died, the “Nehemiah” who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem (he came later), or the “Mordecai” who was Esther’s uncle.

We will encounter more of these lists of names as we go further into Ezra’s book. It will be helpful to keep Ironside’s comments in the back of our minds, knowing full well that if the Lord is slow in returning. Our names may be added to a similar list to encourage future generations. And, of course, ALL believers’ names are written on the most important list: The Lamb’s Book of Life.

“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, ‘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 Judah. 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. 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, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.’” Ezra 1:1-2 (NKJV)

In an age of clap-happy worship and entertainment-oriented evangelism, the book of Ezra directs our thoughts to a holy God who demands reverent worship and uncompromising loyalty from His people. Furthermore, Ezra calls us back to a renewed obedience to God’s Word (something close to my heart) and a wholehearted commitment to the work of God in fellowship with the people of God.

Even in the first few verses, Ezra assumes that we are already searching the Scriptures, for it begins with the words, “in order that the Word of The Lord prophesied by Jeremiah be fulfilled.”  How could we appreciate that Jeremiah’s prophecy was fulfilled unless we were intimately familiar with its predictions? How could we understand the magnitude of God’s sovereign intervention unless we were familiar with the pagan brutality of the Medo-Persians?

Imagine that Iran became so powerful that they defeated Israel and the United States, carrying us back to their country as slaves. Furthermore, imagine that once enslaved on Iranian soil, we were forbidden to read the Bible and worship the Judeo-Christian God. Instead, we were forced to worship Allah and recognize the Koran as the supreme spiritual authority. Then, amid such spiritual oppression, what if the president of Iran announced, one day, that his ability to rule has come from the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and that Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus are to go to Jerusalem and build a synagogue to our God! Sounds far-fetched? That is precisely what happened in Ezra’s day. Persia is where modern-day Iran resides.

And the overriding message of Ezra is one of hope and certainty in God’s Word. I am certain that is a message we could all use these days, so we must read closely and be encouraged that the peace of God does not always mean the absence of conflict; rather, it is the presence of peace amid conflict that passes all understanding. Hold on – for God is faithful to His Word, and nothing can keep Him from accomplishing His purposes. He can even turn the source of opposition towards His people into a tool to deliver His people!

“And the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy. Therefore He brought against them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, on the aged or the weak; He gave them all into his hand.  And all the articles from the house of God, great and small, the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king and of his leaders, all these he took to Babylon. Then they burned the house of God, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces with fire, and destroyed all its precious possessions. And those who escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon, where they became servants to him and his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia, to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.” 2 Chronicles 36:15-21 (NKJV)

We are in a season of history characterized by great struggle and resistance to the Word of the Lord. Anyone who claims that Messiah Jesus is the Only Way (John 14:6) is labeled a fanatic, brain-dead at best. During this season, perhaps more than ever, we must ask ourselves what our highest values are. Because many people in the church value “not offending” above proclaiming God’s Word. They are afraid of offending people or being made uncomfortable but do not seem to have any problem offending God, Who calls us to suffer on Messiah’s behalf. (Philippians 1:29)  Before God judges, He graciously sends His messengers, the prophets, with words of 1) Exposing Sin and 2) Restoration. Consider Jesus’ words:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Luke 13:34-35 (NKJV)

God’s merciful rebuke of His people is always ultimately meant for their restoration.

“For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:10-14 (NKJV)

“So all the service of the Lord was prepared the same day, to keep the Passover and to offer burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord, according to the command of King Josiah. And the children of Israel who were present kept the Passover at that time, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days. There had been no Passover kept in Israel like that since the days of Samuel the prophet; and none of the kings of Israel had kept such a Passover as Josiah kept, with the priests and the Levites, all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah this Passover was kept.”  2 Chronicles 35:16-19 (NKJV)

Do you remember the Jesus Movement of the late 1960s, what it was like sitting in a tent in Costa Mesa, California, while Chuck Smith preached and Love Song sang “Little Country Church” for the first time? Chances are, you don’t. Most folks were late responders to that movement, so they cannot recall how it felt when revival broke out. Fifty-seven years had passed since Hezekiah died, and in those years, Judah was ruled by the evil kings Manasseh and Amon. Sure, Manasseh repented and found forgiveness, but it was all too little, too late. The kingdom had gone to the dogs.

Then came the boy-king, Josiah, bent on reform. (2 Chronicles 34:1-3)  His efforts to clean out the temple led to the discovery of the Book of the Law. When the Law was read to Josiah, he believed it and sought the Lord’s forgiveness for Judah’s idolatry. More than lip service, Josiah was willing to put his faith into action. (2 Chronicles 34:29-33)  And he reaped the harvest of revival!  

People respond differently to the Word of God. Some hear the gospel, humble themselves in repentance, and commit to following Messiah Jesus. Others get angry and seek to distance themselves from Him, often becoming violent toward God’s messenger. Jehoiakim, Josiah’s son, was that kind of man. He received the same Word as his father, yet he sought to kill the messenger, Jeremiah, to the prophet. Which begs the question: How do YOU respond to the revelation of God’s Word?

“So the king sent Jehudi to bring the scroll, and he took it from Elishama the scribe’s chamber. And Jehudi read it in the hearing of the king and in the hearing of all the princes who stood beside the king. Now the king was sitting in the winter house in the ninth month, with a fire burning on the hearth before him. And it happened, when Jehudi had read three or four columns, that the king cut it with the scribe’s knife and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. Yet they were not afraid, nor did they tear their garments, the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words. Nevertheless Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah implored the king not to burn the scroll; but he would not listen to them. And the king commanded Jerahmeel the king’s son, Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to seize Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet, but the Lord hid them.” Jeremiah 36:21-26 (NKJV)

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants, all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah, because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore My wrath will be poured out on this place, and not be quenched.’ But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, in this manner you shall speak to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel: “Concerning the words which you have heard - because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord. “Surely I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; and your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place and its inhabitants.”’ So they brought back word to the king.” 2 Chronicles 34:24-28 (NKJV)

King Josiah had childlike faith. And that makes sense because he was just a child (8 years old) when he assumed the throne. At age sixteen, Josiah began seeking the Lord. By 26 years, he had purged Israel of its idols. It is not enough to simply do away with idols. You must replace idolatry with Biblical worship. So, when the renovation of God’s temple began, the priests found something extraordinary: The Book of The Law of Moses…the Bible! Hilkiah, the priest, was clueless about the book’s value, and Shaphan, the secretary, gave the king a financial report before announcing, “Hilkiah has given me a book….”  But when King Josiah heard the words of the Bible, he knew his nation was on the verge of divine annihilation. His humble response led to salvation. It stands in stark contrast to King Zedekiah’s response many years later.

“So the king sent Jehudi to bring the scroll, and he took it from Elishama the scribe’s chamber. And Jehudi read it in the hearing of the king and in the hearing of all the princes who stood beside the king. Now the king was sitting in the winter house in the ninth month, with a fire burning on the hearth before him. And it happened, when Jehudi had read three or four columns, that the king cut it with the scribe’s knife and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. Yet they were not afraid, nor did they tear their garments, the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words. Nevertheless Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah implored the king not to burn the scroll; but he would not listen to them. And the king commanded Jerahmeel the king’s son, Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to seize Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet, but the Lord hid them. Now after the king had burned the scroll with the words which Baruch had written at the instruction of Jeremiah, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying: ‘Take yet another scroll, and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll which Jehoiakim the king of Judah has burned.’”  Jeremiah 36:21-28 (NKJV)

Our nation is on the verge of judgment. Will we be a Josiah or Zedekiah generation?

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of 2 Chronicles 33. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“Now because of this King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz, prayed and cried out to heaven. Then the Lord sent an angel who cut down every mighty man of valor, leader, and captain in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned shamefaced to his own land. And when he had gone into the temple of his god, some of his own offspring struck him down with the sword there. Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side. And many brought gifts to the Lord at Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah, so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations thereafter.” 2 Chronicles 32:20-23 (NKJV)

I love mixed martial arts (MMA). It is a trendy sport these days, isn’t it? In fact, MMA is the fastest-growing sport in the world, because it encompasses disciplines from various martial arts. That recipe of varied styles makes the fighting more dynamic and match-ups totally unpredictable.  

Remember, before there was MMA, and we only had regular boxing? I recall staying up past my bedtime as a boy to watch the ending of Muhammad Ali’s fights on television, especially in those long drawn-out fights of his later career. Then came my college years, and the boxing world saw the rise of Mike Tyson. Different from the entertaining “rope-a-dope” styles of Ali and the fighters before him, “Iron Mike” Tyson would end fights in the first couple of rounds. Some fights ended in the first few seconds! After a while, though, Tyson fights became boring and predictable. (Although probably not so boring for his opponents!) We got tired of the long, drawn-out promotional build-up of the “fight of the century,” only to see the challenger lying on the canvas before Tyson could break a sweat.

That is kind of how today’s chapter feels. Verses 1-19 are all the build-up of a battle to finally crush God’s people (and His Word, along with them). And we know that if the battle had been against Hezekiah and the Assyrian army, the Vegas odds would have been in Assyria’s favor. But Assyrian king Sennacherib made a huge mistake: He taunted the God of Israel. And that meant picking a fight with an unbeatable opponent. Hezekiah (along with his friend the prophet Isaiah) knew it!

“‘Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.’ And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 (NKJV)

Sennacherib insulted Hezekiah, specifically his faith in God. Then, he insulted God.  Finally, he insulted the faith of the citizens of Judah. We know that fear and dread fell on the people because it falls on us whenever the World insults our faith in God and His Word. But after all that hype and bluster, YHWH whistled to the bench and summoned one angel, who ended it in the first round! (James 4:7)