Ezra, Day 3
Ezra 5 – 6
In Ezra 5 – 6, we find the nation of Israel beginning work on the rebuilding of the temple. This work is immediately met with opposition and questions about the legitimacy of this project. Leaders in that region wanted to know on what authority they had been granted approval for this project.
What I find interesting is the response of Israel. They did things in a way that honored God. If I were the person in charge of rebuilding the temple and I were asked who gave me permission for this project, there would be part of me that would be tempted to manipulate the truth so that the work could continue. Maybe send the officials to a number of different places in order to buy us time to build. They didn’t do that — they told the officials the story of how they were granted permission by a previous king and now that they had returned home, they could begin work on rebuilding the temple.
Here’s the thing: God was already in charge. Ezra 5:5 says, “But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until the report should reach Darius and then an answer be returned by letter concerning it.” God was already at work. God had orchestrated a way for them to continue building while the officials in the region took the statement to Darius and searched for the decree from King Cyrus. In the meantime, the people of Israel continued to work hard and trust God with the outcome.
I think there is a temptation for us to forget that God is already at work. Therefore, in order for us to see the outcome we feel honors God, we need to “take matters into our own hands.” However, we need to realize that God is already at work and our job is to work hard and trust Him for the results. Trusting that whatever God provides by His will and our obedience is better than what we may reap when we take matters into our own hands.
As we seek to make God’s kingdom a reality here on Earth, may we not lose sight of the fact that He is already at work and it’s our responsibility to be obedient and faithful and take part in what He is already doing instead of dictating that things be done our way.
Adam Deering