EZRA 4:24-6:22
1 CORINTHIANS 3:5-23
PSALM 29:1-11
PROVERBS 20:26-27
6:8 Moreover, I hereby decree what you are to do for these elders of the Jews in the construction of this house of God:
Their expenses are to be fully paid out of the royal treasury, from the revenues of Trans-Euphrates, so that the work will not stop. 9 Whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, male lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, and wheat, salt, wine and olive oil, as requested by the priests in Jerusalem—must be given them daily without fail, 10 so that they may offer sacrifices pleasing to the God of heaven and pray for the well-being of the king and his sons.
11 Furthermore, I decree that if anyone defies this edict, a beam is to be pulled from their house and they are to be impaled on it. And for this crime their house is to be made a pile of rubble. 12 May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple in Jerusalem.
God knows the big picture. King Cyrus (ruled 560-530 B.C.) was moved by God to decree the rebuilding of the temple. But God did not just make it possible for the Israelites to be allowed to rebuild the temple, He provided all the materials to build it and animals needed for sacrifice. He also is protecting them from any who would oppose them. All this, years after Cyrus' decree. King Darius (ruled 522-486) enforced the decree. God put everything in place and every leader in place for a time and a purpose. We can trust that God knows the big picture.
1Corinthians 3:10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
God knows the big picture. From building the temple in Ezra to building us into "God's temple". Paul laid the foundation as king Cyrus laid down the initial decree. As a believer we all have a person, time and place where our foundation in Christ was laid. Even if you don't remember when it happened. It could have been when you were a child. I am sure there were Israelites who did not remember the day the king Cyrus issued the decree but it happened. The quality of work in the construction of our temple is directly influenced by what we build it with. If we take the easier lighter work using hay or straw then our temple will be weak and will burn away quickly when tested by fire. If we are build of wood we can withstand the flames a little longer but in the end will burn out. But if we build our temple with gold, silver and costly stones we will be strong and able to withstand the fire of testing. God also provides all that we need to build that temple as He did for the Israelites. He has given us the Bible, biblical scholars, bible studies, churches, and preachers. But we need to take what He has given us and use it. If you are building your temple by going to church on Sunday morning and that is all, or maybe you don't go to church at all. I see that as straw or hay. If you also go to Sunday school or attend a bible study that would be like wood. But if you are also reading the word and applying it to your life and seeking Godly council in decision making as you build a relationship with Jesus then you are building with silver, gold and costly stones. God also protects our temple as He did the temple in Ezra. "17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple." It does not mean that it we won't be tested. It means that those who come against us will answer to God for all they do. When the struggles (fires) of life come at us the material that we are constructed with will matter. It doesn't mean you are not saved if you are bult with wood, hay, and straw. "15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames." But building up our temple with the word of God, bible study, and surrounding ourselves with Godly people and building our personal relationship with Jesus can ensure that we do not burn up in the fire. Just as the in Ezra God put everything in place and every leader in place for a time and a purpose. In your life God has placed you where you are He has surrounded you with all the materials you need to build your temple strong, and He has placed people in your life to help you in the building process. He started putting all these things and people into place before you were even born all for a time a purpose. Trust the God knows the big picture.
Psalm 29:3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic.
Praise the Lord who speaks! He knows the big picture and His thundering voice is powerful and majestic and more than we can comprehend!
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