Isaiah: Trusting The Holy One Who Rules The World (II)

God Takes His Children To Court (1:1-31)

Neal Pollard

There have been famous cases of children suing their parents, like Gary Coleman of Different Strokes fame due to misappropriation of his earnings. Parents have sued their children, as rapper Eminem’s mom did for damages after he referenced her substance abuse in songs. Money is often a motive, but sometimes such court cases revolve around retribution for abuse or perceived neglect.

The book of Isaiah begins with the perfect Father, Jehovah, bringing a case against His spiritual children. As such, He leads out, “Sons I have reared and brought up,  But they have revolted against Me” (2). He labels them, “Offspring of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly” (4). He calls heaven and earth as witnesses (2). Certainly, there are other ways the nation of Judah is described here, but that the Lord is making the case against them for their sin and apostasy. What are the charges?

Rebellious Conduct (2-9). Daily life for Judah was characterized by iniquity and corruption (4), which God equates to despising and rejecting Him. He depicts their immorality as leprosy-like spiritual illness. Is there a more graphic depiction than, “The whole head is sick And the whole heart is faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing sound in it, Only bruises, welts and raw wounds, Not pressed out or bandaged, Nor softened with oil” (5-6)? He diagnoses them as a rebirth of Sodom and Gomorrah (9-10), whom He destroyed for their many and gross immoralities. These are the people of God, given His written Word and handed stalwart leaders. They had every advantage and were profusely blessed. Despite this, they rejected Him to serve their own passions and pleasures. They’ve collected so many sins that they are burdened with the weight of them (cf. Heb. 12:1). The people have no case, so they have no choice but to plead guilty to this first charge. 

Unacceptable Worship (10-20). Their first crime led to this charge. Because of their daily, rebellious living, God rejected their worship. The problem was not that they withheld sacrifice from Him. They “multiplied” them (11). They gave them in abundance. They brought the right gifts. They came at the right times (13-14). But, when they prayed, He hid and ignored them (15). Why? Their hands were covered with blood (15). They were guilty of evil deeds (16). They were trying to substitute one day of worship for six days of wickedness. They lived like the world, then came to worship and pretended to be righteous before an omniscient and omnipresent God. 

General Apostasy (21-31).  Apostasy “is the turning away from God in rebellion or apathy” (Jones, Lexham Theological. Wdbk.). Notice its description. Once a faithful city, they are now a harlot (21). Once full of righteousness and justice, they are now murderers (21). Isaiah describes what made this so: bribery (23), materialism (23), and oppression of the helpless (23). Because of this, they made their Father their adversary! He pledges to use His divine resources against them (24-25). 

There is something Judah needed to know about these proceedings. Even though God had abundant evidence against them and they had no case, He wanted to find them “not guilty.” He does not want them to continue in this condition and pleads for them to change (5). He had already shown mercy (9). He pleads with them to turn away from their sins. Notice how He phrases it: “wash” (16), “remove” (16), “learn, seek, reprove, defend, plead” (17), “reason” (18), “consent and obey” (19). When has a plaintiff been so merciful and forgiving as God is with His people here?

But, make no mistake about it, as they are living at the time when Isaiah writes, they are His adversaries and foes (24). He was sentencing them (25). Yet, on the other side of that, He pledges to restore and redeem them (26-27). The impenitent will be crushed (28), but with the intent to make them ashamed and resolved to change (29-31). This judgment theme will recur throughout Isaiah’s prophecy, directed not only at His chosen but also their enemies. Notice also the parallel between chapter one and chapter 66, where these many themes are mirrored again in the closing words of this book. That shows that these themes are important to the overall message of the book. The bottom line is that we cannot go to court against God on the basis of our deeds. We will eternally lose under such conditions. We must throw ourselves on the mercy of the heavenly court, ready to confess and change. 

Controversial Prophecy Alert

Dale Pollard

Daniel 8 

Daniel prophesied of the Persian and Greek eras of Israelite history. The angel interpreted that for us, so there’s no mystery there. That mean man of the Diadochi, Antiochus Epiphanes, is described with his persecution lasting 2300 days. It was concluded by the Rededication of the Temple by Judas Maccabee, and that day became the Jewish Festival of Lights (John 10:22).

Daniel 11-12 

The number of days in this query are set in a prophetic history that covers the entire second temple era of Judaism. 

It relates the Persian kings to the conquest of Alexander the Great, to the break-up of that empire into the Diadochi, to the rise of Antiochus Epiphanes and the Maccabees, to the Roman conquest of the East, to Herod the Great, and to the final Destruction of Judea by the Roman generals and the Zealots. 

Some of the final verses in this vast prophecy are referred to by Jesus in the address on Mount Olive (Dan. 12:1,11; Matt.24:15,21). 

The interpretation of these number of days must fit into this first century time period (the end of the Second Temple Era).

Abomination of Desolation

According to the synoptic section in Luke, the Abomination of Desolation (that which makes desolate) was the Roman Legions (Luke 21:20). The number of days that those armies marched up and down the land of Judea was 1290! Recall that Jesus warned His disciples to flee Judea, not just Jerusalem. 

This devastation was widespread with villages being torched in Galilee, Perea, Samaria, and Judea proper, with supply lines cut off from Jerusalem. When the soldiers finally besieged Jerusalem their fate was sealed— literally! All of this time period (with dates) is recorded by an eyewitness Jewish general by the name Flavius Josephus who had been captured.

The 1335th Day 

The city of Jerusalem had its three defensive walls breached. The inhabitants were slaughtered. The Temple was burned and torn down just like Jesus said. Everything was trampled down except for a Herodian palace in the Upper City where the last Jews barricaded themselves and refused to surrender. It’s estimated that they had plenty of water and food supplies to last for an unknown period of time. The walls were so thick the Roman General, Titus, decided to wait it out.

But amazingly, the remaining Zealots opened the gates on the 1335th day of this war! 

Note the remarks of Josephus’s history concerning Titus’s surprise:

“Now when Titus came into this (upper city), he admired not only some other places of strength in it, but particularly those strong towers which the tyrants in their bad conduct had relinquished; for when he saw their altitude, and the largeness of their several stones, and the exactness of their joints, and also how great was their breadth, and how extensive their length, he expressed himself…’We have certainly had God for our assistant in this war, and it was no other than God who ejected the Jews out of these fortifications; for what could the hands of man or any machine do towards overthrowing these towers?’” (Wars, VI,9:1)

If the tyrants had stayed in the fortress, the Roman Legions would have stayed around the territory and continued to massacre the Jewish people. The soldiers had seen the despicable display of gross inhumanity the Zealots committed on each other and innocent people, and they had no mercy for them. But as Jesus said, with the mysterious surrender— the killing would stop:

“And except those days be shortened, there would no flesh be saved, but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” 

(Matthew 24:21-22)

Conclusion 

These days, 1290 and 1335, are seen fulfilled by recorded history. There is no need for guessing or speculation. They fit the time period required by the chapters 11-12 which end with the topic of the Ending of the Jewish Era. It is this same topic that Jesus dealt with in the first half of the Olive lesson, which Jesus said was to occur within that generation (30-70 A.D). 

No, these days do not refer to any Great Tribulation at the End of the World. These prophesied days were fulfilled to the day— in the first century! They’re important because they mark the end of the Old Testament economy, and the rise of the fantastic Kingdom of God. 

(Hebrews 8:13, Luke 13:35, 16:16; the years 30-70 A.D. were transitioning times) 

Isaiah: Trusting The Holy One Who Rules The World (I)

The Introduction And Setting (1:1)

Neal Pollard

Few Bible books are as diverse and as grand as the prophecy of Isaiah, whose autobiographical data is found in the first verse of his lofty volume. All we know is that he is the son of Amoz, and we know nothing else of his personal life. We are given his audience and the span of his work in that first verse, too. His focus is on the southern kingdom of Judah and its capital, Jerusalem. He prophesies during the reign of four kings, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. The span of the reigns of these four generations of the direct descendants of David is 113 years, so Isaiah must have lived and prophesied for many decades–even if he began at the end of Uzziah’s reign and ended at the beginning of Hezekiah’s. 

Uzziah was a king whose reign could be characterized as righteous, despite a costly act of pride that caused God to strike him with leprosy (2 Chron. 26:16ff) and he did not remove the high places where people offered sacrifices rather than at Jerusalem (2 Ki. 15:4). Jotham also was characterized as a righteous king (2 Ki. 15:34) except that the high places weren’t removed (2 Ki. 15:35). Take note of the fact that the “people continued acting corruptly” (2 Chron. 27:2), something Isaiah will roundly condemn. 

Ahaz was inordinately wicked, a fact that Isaiah will bring to bear in Isaiah 7:1ff. The chronicler will itemize his wickedness in graphic terms in 2 Chronicles 27. He is described as being so bad that he was like a king of Israel, none of whom were righteous (27:2). He sacrificed and burned incense in the high places, worshipped idols, and murdered his sons in offering burnt offerings to those gods (27:3-4). God judges him and his army pays the price as Aram and Israel kill 120,000 soldiers and take 200,000 of his citizens captive (27:5ff). Ahaz turned to Assyria rather than the Lord (27:16ff). He was as thoroughly rotten as almost any king who ever occupied a throne among the Jewish people. When he died, he wasn’t even buried in the tomb of the kings (27:27).

Hezekiah follows Ahaz, and his reign occupies more inspired space than any other king during the Divided Kingdom period (2 Ki. 18-20; 2 Chron. 29-32). In the only narrative section of the book of Isaiah, it involves this righteous king (ch. 36-39). His reign was so righteous that he actually removed the high places in addition to undoing the wicked actions of his father, Ahaz (2 Ki. 18:2ff). The inspired writer of 2 Kings summarizes, “He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him. For he clung to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses. And the Lord was with him; wherever he went he prospered” (2 Ki. 18:5-7a).

God commissions Isaiah to speak to the southern kingdom at a very roller coaster period of their existence. It is at the beginning of their final decline as the nation of Judah draws nearer to earning Babylonian Captivity for their national sins. While three of these four kings can be called “righteous,” the daily lives of the people are filled with the kind of sins Isaiah will point out in chapter one. As one has put it, “What was of utmost importance to Isaiah was to proclaim and then record what God was communicating to his people, not to express his own opinions or explain his own joys or struggles with God’s messages of judgment or hope” (Smith, NAC, 34). Thus, Isaiah will focus on other nations as well as Judah and even Israel. He will speak not only of their present sins, but their future afflictions and their future hope. On that latter note, Isaiah will paint several glorious pictures of the coming Messiah, some of the most memorable and familiar passages in the entire book. He will be revealed as descendant of David (11:1), virgin-born Immanuel (7:14), of unique character (7:15-16; 9:6-9; 49:6; 52:13), rejected by His own (ch. 53), and resurrected Lord (53:10). 

God’s exalted nature will be the consistent thread throughout this epic book of prophecy. Let us explore together the various themes and messages of Isaiah and from it glean application and instruction for our daily living. 

Another Reason To Love The Church

(from my favorite writer):

#33- Because the Church Loved Me

Are You In The Plains Of Ono?

Neal Pollard

Valleys are often associated with dismal times, heartaches, and loss. We think mostly of the “valley of the shadow of death.” That name rings with finality. Valleys often represent low times and sorrow.
Nehemiah 6 relates the story of the valley Ono. The enemies of Israel– Sanballet, Tobiah, and Geshem– can represent the beguiling devil. Nehemiah and the Israelites can represent the Christian and his duties. Let us notice some things represented by the plains of Ono.
The Valley Of Entrapment (Nehemiah 6:1-2). The three enemies were bullies. They tried hard to trick Nehemiah into the valley where they could mischievously undo him. Today, Satan tempts us to gather at the lake instead of gathering with the saints in worship where we can drink together of the water of life. Or, he tempts us to stay at home rather than visit the sick and wayward. Do not be trapped! Solomon said, “there shall no evil happen to the just; but the wicked shall be filled with mischief” (Proverbs 12:21).
The Valley Of Scorn (Nehemiah 6:3). The enemies of God did not think the work of Nehemiah was very important (verse 4). Today, God’s enemy tells us that “church work” is not a valuable
use of time. Thanks be unto God for ministers, Bible school teachers, missionaries, faithful Christians, and spiritual leaders who refuse to fall into this valley of scorn. God resists the scorners, but gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34).
The Valley Of Deceit (Nehemiah 6:7-12). If Nehemiah would have gone into this valley, he would have lost his courage and godly influence. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for
whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Do not let any one deceive you into a valley of worldliness and poor choices.
Prayer, Bible study, and general faithfulness will keep us out of these valleys. Through encouragement and active love, we can help pull others from these valleys and prevent others from plunging into them. By striving to remain on the spiritual peak of fidelity to God, we, like Nehemiah, will overcome the wiles of the wicked (cf. Nehemiah 6:16)!

The Fight Going On Inside

Clint Raymer

An old Cherokee grandfather is teaching his grandson about life: “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. ”It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is Evil. He is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.” The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?” The grandfather simply replied, “The one you feed.” 

This proverb reminds me of something Paul said in Romans 7:19-25. First I would like to share vs 19-23. “For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” Good and Evil is a battle that can be fought and seen externally in this world. However this fight is one that is both without and within. Inside each of us is a fight, a struggle, between that of the flesh and Spirit. A battle between that which is baser, and that which is better. To become more adept in both wisdom and skill when it comes to mastering this struggle requires time, effort, and self-control. There is a quote I like which says, “Self-Discipline begins with the mastery of your thoughts. If you don’t control what you think, you cannot control what you do.” 

The power and discipline of our thoughts, our mind, is paramount in controlling our actions. Henry Ford has a quote which goes, “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right.” We must also face a hard truth in this fight to master the flesh versus the Spirit. As Paul himself said, at times we will fail. The things that we will not to do will become the things we have done, and we will fall short of the glory of God. It always seems that in these moments of failure or mistake that we are our own harshest critic. We tend to bring about our own discouragement by focusing on our shortcomings and failures again and again like a broken record until it seems hopeless to try. Yet this is not the way. 

When the walls come crashing in, nothing you do works or is good enough, and this struggle against the flesh seems hopeless. I am reminded of a simple message we all know. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). While everyone is equally guilty of having succumbed to sin, fallen prey to sin, we are also equally united by one single fact. Love. God’s love, Christ’s love which was freely given so that though we were chained by sin, condemned by sin, we might be set free for a brighter future. I am often reminded of Christs words in John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” These were not just Jesus’s words, they were His actions. He freely and willingly gave His life for our sakes because He knew that in our struggle between flesh and Spirit. Sometimes we would give in to the flesh. So we would not have to suffer eternal separation from God, Christ paid the debt for those and all transgressions. All we need do to benefit from this is to submit, repent, dust ourselves off, and try again. Paul confirms this in Romans 7:24-25, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.” From this message I can draw but one conclusion. We are truly completely known and completely loved by God. 

I want to share one final thought with you, a line from one of Shakespeare’s plays, Henry the V. This line is part of what is known as the St. Crispins Day speech. It goes “We few, We happy few, We band of brothers.” This is what we are. A band of brothers and sisters in Christ, united by Christ’s love and empowered by His sacrifice to daily fight the battle of flesh versus Spirit. Firm in the knowledge that though sometimes the battle may be lost, ultimately the war is won.  

Ezra: Israel’s Restoration Movement (IX)

Remedying Roadblocks To Restoration (9:1-10:44)

Neal Pollard

One of the challenges of restoring God’s will and expectations is that it is ongoing. That fact should not discourage us, but it is inevitable. Another way of putting that is that we will always have things to be working on and improve. That’s true in our personal lives, isn’t it? We would not expect our collective work and challenges to be different. Ezra and the people have begun well, but then a problem is brought to their attention. This had to do with marriage and the family. The princes of the land reported to Ezra that “the people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands…For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has intermingled with the peoples of the lands; indeed, the hands of the princes and the rulers have been foremost in this unfaithfulness” (9:1-2). The rest of the book of Ezra is devoted to sorting out this problem, so great that it threatens to undermine and undo the great progress and success already achieved. What do Ezra and the people do to overcome this deadly roadblock?

  • They demonstrated appropriate emotion (9:3-4). Ezra tore his clothes and even his beard. He sat down appalled. The people trembled at the words of God on the matter.
  • They prayed at length and with great humility and honesty (9:5-15). Read the many superlative terms Ezra uses: “ashamed and embarrassed” (6), “our iniquities have risen above our heads and our guilt has grown even to the heavens” (6), “great guilt” (7,13), “iniquities” (7), “we have forsaken your commandments” (10-11), and “evil deeds” (13). At the same time he praised and thanked God for His great patience and mercy, by sparing them and giving them time and space to repent (see 8-15). He acknowledged God’s grace (8), lovingkindness (9), and righteousness (15). 
  • They channeled their emotion and guilt into repentance and change (ch. 10). They had courage and acted (10:4). They put away the wives it was unlawful for them to have, setting up an orderly, compassionate system to deal with the offenders as they corrected their situation. They saw repentance as their duty to do in order to be right with God again (10:12). They went from weeping bitterly (10:1) to making things right. Ezra devotes the last 27 verses to the names of the penitent, forever etched in God’s inspiration as men willing to make the hard choice of surrendering unlawful earthly relationships to maintain their relationship with God.

So why does God devote so much space in Scripture to this one incident? Certainly, it helps us know how He sees a relationship that is not in accordance with His revealed will. It also helps us see how He wants us to handle the willful, habitual sin in our lives. There is no restoring His will and ways without faithful, heartfelt obedience. But when we do, He records our name is His book and memorializes it forever (cf. Rev. 20:12; Luke 10:20; Phil. 4:3). Whatever my sin problem is, may I respond as they did in Ezra’s day. If a church is persistently neglecting or violating God’s will, may we take it as seriously as they did in this Old Testament Restoration Movement! The result will be resounding success!

Ezra: Israel’s Restoration Movement (VIII)

Seeking God In Our Efforts To Restore (8:1-36)

Neal Pollard

Ezra meticulously chronicles his journey with others from Babylon to Jerusalem during King Artaxerxes’ reign. Ezra 8:2-14 lists several households along with the number of males in each household. They were going to be needed to work at accomplishing God’s will once they return to their homeland. Ezra notices that there are no priests in their caravan, so he sends for them (15-20). Just as Nehemiah cannot go very far without praying to God, Ezra cannot go very far before he acknowledges God’s presence, assistance, or will. That is certainly the case in this chapter.

He was concerned for the house of God (17,36). He acknowledged the hand of God (18,22,31). He led the people to humble themselves before God through a proclaimed fast (21). They sought God (23). They prepared their offering to God (28,30,33,35). Ezra knew that he was engaged in and leading others to participate in God’s work. He wanted to do this God’s way, so he constantly sought God’s will.

Please notice that such a mindset is still important and valuable to God. When it comes to building and growing the body of His Son, God wants us to be concerned about it, acknowledge His hand in it, submit our will to Him in it, seek Him in it, and serve and worship Him faithfully in it. Paul reminds Timothy that the church is the house of God, and as such we should focus on  how we “ought to conduct [ourselves] in the household of God” (1 Tim. 3:15). Passages like Ezra 8 contain requirements of the Old Testament, but the heart and mentality of Ezra is still the mindset needed for every faithful Christian!

The Devil’s “Classifieds”: Help Wanted

Neal Pollard

Everyone must have an occupation. Paul, Aquila, and Priscilla were, “by their occupation,” tent makers (Acts 18:3). Demetrius and others at Ephesus were “silversmiths” (Acts 19:24-26). Joseph and his household were shepherds (Genesis 46:33-34). Jonah was a preacher (cf. John 1:8).

Spiritually, everyone will have a “vocation.” Christians have a calling of which they are to “walk worthy” (Ephesians 4:1). An individual, in obeying the gospel, is “hired” by God to “fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness” and work “the work of faith…” (2 Thessalonians 1:11). The workers are “holy brethren,” the work a “heavenly calling,” the foreman is “Christ Jesus,” and the work order was appointed by “Him” (the Father) (Hebrews 3:1-2,4). but. even within the context of Hebrews 3, there is warning that Christians might, through hardness of heart, switch employers. The devil surely considers Christians as his most coveted and prized workers, for he already had the world on his “roll” (cf. 1 John 5:19). If the devil advertised, can you imagine the enticing tasks he would list to draw away God’s child?

“Needed: Hungry Cannibal. Must enjoy the taste of division and have an appetite for ‘devouring your brother.’ This job is risky, as you may get consumed by him. But, if you enjoy having ‘the brethren for lunch,’ this job is definitely for you. Ignore Galatians 5:15.”

“Skilled stage-actor wanted. If you are an experienced pretender at religion, enjoy playing church, and wear the name Christian only as a ‘front,’ your skills are needed immediately. Impure motives (Matthew 6:16), lip-service (Matthew 15:7-8), a knack for pretending to be holy while actually being wicked (Matthew 23:13-15,23, et al), and a joy of danger (Matthew 24:51) all are pluses!”

Opening for sheep thieves. Must employ ‘innovative approaches’ (John 10:1), have a willingness to ‘finish the job’ (John 10:10), have a glaring disrespect for the Shepherd, and intimidate the Shepherd’s hired hands (John 10:12). Will supply one camouflage uniform (Matthew 7:15).

“Work for pirates available. Can you shipwreck faith (1 Timothy 1:19)? Are you the type who enjoys ‘lying in wait’ to upset the ‘vessel’ of weak Christians (cf. Ephesians 4:14)? Are you bold enough to take hostages for your employer (2 Timothy 2:26)? An ability to take away from God’s word is an asset (Revelation 22:19). Apply immediately. Too much good is being accomplished.”

“Would you like a sales position? We need you to sell Divine truth (Proverbs 23:23), bargain for this world’s goods with your soul (Matthew 16:26), and be willing to make your children expendable to be a ‘success’ (cf. 1 Timothy 5:8; Proverbs 22:6). All receipts are kept on file (cf. 2 Peter 2:13).”

“Experienced travel agent desired. Can you give tours of the :Far Country” of sin (cf. Luke 15:13)? Applicant needs to be able to lead others on our charted destinations (2 Timothy 3:6; 2 Peter 3:17). If you can find creative routes away from the worship assemblies (Hebrews 10:25) and provide distracting excursions that lead groups away from involvement in church work (cf. Haggai 1:4,6; John 4:35; Matthew 25:24), we want you! Slothfulness (Hebrews 6:12) an appreciated quality for this job! Must be willing to travel away from your first love (Revelation 2:4).”

“Calling all unskilled carpenters: We are looking for individuals who build on the sand (Matthew 7:26-27). We will provide every foundation for you to build upon except Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10). You don’t even need to be good at framing (cf. Ephesians 2:21). We prefer that you keep busy rebuilding the sinful lifestyle you tore down by coming to the Lord (cf. Galatians 2:18; 2 Peter 2:0-22).”

All the while, Christ calls for workers, too (Matthew 9:37-38). Too many have answered the adversary’s ads (2 Corinthians 11:13; Philippians 3:2). both the Lord and “the Liar” (John 8:44) provide extensive retirement plans [after all, they’re both everlasting] (Matthew 25:46). While everyone will be rewarded according to his works (Matthew 16:27), the devil’s “perks” are profitless (cf. Romans 6:23)! Who are you working for?

Ezra: Israel’s Restoration Movement (VII)

EZRA THE RESTORER (7:1-10)

Neal Pollard

Incredibly, in the ten chapter book of Ezra written by Ezra, we don’t start to read about the man, Ezra, until the beginning of chapter seven. He starts by giving his lineage, which he traces back through sixteen generations directly to Aaron, the first High Priest and brother of Moses (1-5). This is not an exhaustive genealogy, and we should think of “son of” as “descendant of.” Ezra has a great pedigree and would have had heightened influence among his people. This fact makes it all the more important and wonderful that he throws his weight at the work of restoration. 

Consider that God gives us all resources to use, as He illustrates through His Son in the Parable of the Talents (Mat. 25:14-30). We think about using our possessions wisely, for God’s purpose and to His glory. But, what about our name and influence? Proverbs 22:1 asserts that “A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold” (cf. Ecc. 7:1a). 

Not only was he influential, he was also talented. Ezra 7:6 describes him as “a scribe skilled in the law of Moses.” We see that skill in motion throughout the remainder of the book bearing his name. Consider that God gives to each of us talents which we can use to earn a living, garner the respect of others, and teach others to have, but it is gross misuse of our talents not to prioritize them for the purpose of advancing His cause! 

Ezra, furthermore, was blessed. King Artaxerxes (1,6) “granted him all he requested.” Yet, he acknowledged the ultimate source of those blessings. “The hand of the Lord his God was upon him” (7). “The good hand of his God was upon him” (9). He translated those blessings into fruitful labor for God. Remember that God “has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). He wants us to convert blessings into building for Him.

Finally, Ezra was equipped (6,10). Verse six says he is “skilled in the law.” How did that come about? It started in his heart (10), where all meaningful change begins. It was manifested in his diligence to “study the law of the Lord” (10). It was shown by his modeling or exemplifying what he wanted others to learn and do, as he practiced it (10). It culminated in his teaching God’s statutes and ordinances to the people (10). 2 Timothy 2:15 commands us to “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” Ezra shows us the process–prepare your heart, study, practice, and teach. What a formula! The end result will be restoring God’s will and word among the people! 

Love For God

Carl Pollard

When Jesus was asked about the most important commandment of all, He quoted the Shema. In Hebrew, “Hear o Israel,” is “Sh’ma Yes’ra’eil.” This wasn’t anything new, but was an essential verse. It is the first a Jewish child will memorize. The question of the most important commandment had long been settled among God’s people, “Love the Lord God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and might.” And all of Israel knew that truth since God was clear on this to begin with. Knowing the truth was the easy part. Acting on it was another story. 

Jesus fulfilled this command perfectly. He loved God completely. He depended on God through prayer, knowing the Scriptures, and submitting to God’s will even at the cost of His life. What does it take to love God completely? In Mark 10:17-22, another man approached Jesus, desperately wanting to please God. He runs up, falls on his knees before Jesus, and asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answers with, “You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

The man said he had kept them all. Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 

This man couldn’t do it. He left, overwhelmed with emotion. Turns out he was very rich. What was the problem? This man loved his wealth too much to give it all away, and until he was willing to make that sacrifice he could not have the one thing he lacked: Jesus. 

Once we realize who Jesus is and what He offers us, there is nothing we wouldn’t give to have Him. Jesus loved the “rich young ruler,” but the man who came to him couldn’t part with the things he loved. That’s exactly how it is today, a Savior who loves us, but we can’t seem to love Him enough to sacrifice. When people see this kind of sacrificial love for God, they never forget it. Those who love God with their entire being leave a legacy that isn’t quickly forgotten. 

There are many to this day we can all think of who left a powerful legacy because of their love for God. The Plague of Cyprian came along a couple centuries after the time of Jesus. One document says that in Rome, where a million people lived, as many as 5,000 died per day. This plague terrified people. It was so devastating that when the first symptoms appeared some villages simply emptied out, leaving the sick behind. There was no cure. There was no hope. So they left sick family members in their beds and ran for their lives. But Christians didn’t run. They stayed and brought water to the sick. They fed them. They changed their bandages. They loved and encouraged them. And they even got sick in the process.

There’s no telling how many people came to Christ because Christians served, and there’s no telling how many Christians lost their lives because they stayed behind. People were stunned at the love these Christians showed to the sick. This is why the Roman Empire changed so dramatically. 

They couldn’t ignore the actions of people who loved God so much that they would be willing to give up their lives. And in the same way, when we sacrifice on behalf of others, they will see our love. The church that sacrificially loves and cares for its community will discover that it holds more power than any person or group in power. 

There’s no single action that defines a person who loves God completely, but fulfilling the royal law will always speak volumes of our love for God.

Ezra: Israel’s Restoration Movement (VI)

The Fruits Of Restoration (6:13-22)

Neal Pollard

There is nothing like the satisfaction of completing a task that was especially hard-fought and challenging. But, there was Judah in Ezra’s day after Haggai and Zechariah’s message propels them to the finish line concerning the temple (14). After earlier opposition from their neighbors, Judah is assisted by the most powerful nation on earth “with all diligence” (13). It was not nearly as glorious as the original (3:12; Hag. 2:3), but it was rebuilt and available for Judah to use to worship God as before the captivity.

Consider some of the fruits of their obedient, faithful efforts. These are fruits of restoration.

Joy (16,22).

In a world where everybody just wants to be happy, few know genuine joy. The happiness for the people here is so intense and deep-seated because God is the source and reason for it. They celebrated the dedication (16) and Ezra says “the Lord had caused them to rejoice” (22). There is a unique, genuine joy available to those who are seeking to build their lives and religion according to the Lord’s pattern (Rom. 15:13). 

Faithful Worship (17-20).

Following the revealed instructions from God through His leaders, the people were now enabled to dedicate the temple (17), appoint the priests (18), and observe the Passover (19-20). They have returned to the proper place, people, and practice of worship. That is the epitome of restoration. When we submit to the instructions of the New Testament regarding who leads (1 Tim. 2:8,11-12), where we participate (Heb. 10:24-25), and how we worship (cf. Col. 3:16-17), faithful worship, when done in proper spirit, follows (John 4:24). 

Purity (20-21).

The ones who could participate in the Passover were those who had purified themselves. That started with the leadership (19) and extended to the rest of the participants (19-20). It mandated separating from “the impurity of the nations of the land” (20). They could come before God with pure and holy hands (cf. 1 Tim. 2:8). Think about what Peter tells believers: “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Pet. 1:22-23). 

Divine Aid (22).

Do your best and try your hardest, but you will fall terribly short without this factor. God’s providence paved the road and opened the door to restoration. The Lord “…had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to encourage them in the work of the house of God.” “The Lord had caused them to rejoice.” One of the fruits of seeking to restore God’s will and ways in our public and private lives today is this assurance. Jesus promises, “I am with you always” (Mat. 28:20). “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you so that we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper…” (Heb. 13:5-6). 

Be body builders, building the Lord’s church the Lord’s way. Let’s go all the way back to the Bible. The end result is a multitude of blessings (Eph. 1:3) like those mentioned in Ezra 6:13-22. 

Left And Right

Gary Pollard

In Matthew 23 Jesus directed some wrath at religious leaders. Verses 3-4 set the tone for what follows — they were hypocrites. He said, “So you should obey them. Do everything they tell you to do. But their lives are not good examples for you to follow. They tell you to do things, but they don’t do those things themselves. They make strict rules that are hard for people to obey. They try to force others to obey all their rules. But they themselves will not try to follow any of those rules.” 

Then, “It will be bad for you teachers of the law and you Pharisees because…” 

  1. You are hypocrites. You travel the world to convert someone and make those converts worse than you are. 
  2. You guide the people, but you are blind. 
  3. You take great pains to follow the smallest commands, but you neglect the most important aspects of the law. 
  4. You put on a good show of holiness, but your hearts are filthy. 
  5. You condemn your ancestors for killing the prophets, but you’re going to kill The Prophet anyways. 
  6. You will not escape God, you will all be judged guilty and be sent to hell. You will be guilty for the death of all good people who have been killed on earth, even for the deaths of Abel and Zechariah. 

With this as a backdrop — and after condemning all of Jerusalem for their evil — Jesus warns his disciples about the future destruction of Jerusalem. This would happen in less than four decades. He throws in some stuff about Earth’s destruction, too. He ends it with examples of good servants, bad servants, and being ready for his final return. This continues through chapter 25, which ends with a climactic display of justice before the entire planet faces eternal life or death. 

So Jesus sets up an archetype — those who claim to follow him, but who push people away from him through their hypocritical, legalistic behavior. How do we know this? 

When he separates everyone into two groups (sheep on the right, goats on the left), the godly are apparently surprised at their fate. “When did we do anything in your name?” They had fulfilled the Royal Law, which meant they lived in his name. 

But the people on the left will be equally shocked! From earlier in Matthew (chapter seven), “Didn’t we prophesy in your name?” “Didn’t we cast out demons in your name?” “Didn’t we perform miracles in your name?” Matthew 7 is about wolves in sheep’s clothing, trees that produce inedible fruit, and people who don’t do what God wants. Right after this section, Jesus goes on a healing tour around the region and sends his followers on missions of the same. He practiced the Royal Law perfectly. 

So what’s the point? As the rest of the NT teaches, we cannot expect to see God if we don’t take care of our fellow man. We cannot expect to see God if we tithe herbs while neglecting the most important aspects of the law (in context, providing for people who need food and other forms of care). 

The scribes and Pharisees are the archetype of those on the left who will be shocked that God rejects them. We often apply this to people in denominations who will be shocked that God rejects them because of how they worshipped or what they taught. This is an egregious mishandling of the text. Jesus applied this explicitly to those who claimed to act in his name while their legalistic behavior and lack of charity repelled others from seeking him. 

Ezra: Israel’s Restoration Movement (V)

Providence And Restoration (5:1-6:12)

Neal Pollard

After the hassle and opposition of the enemy, Judah did cease work on the temple for a while. As The Pulpit Commentary says, “There crept over the people a growing indifference to the work; they became unready for the self-denial which it demanded; their spiritual unfitness for it was increased by the presence of the external obstacles: to understand this we must turn to the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah” (H.D.M. Spence). They invested their energy, time, and money on rebuilding their own houses (Hag. 1:4-7). Zechariah reveals that it was a heart problem, a tendency that undid their forefathers (Zec. 1:1-7). 

But, the work and preaching of these two prophets had their effect. Led by their governor and High Priest, the people “arose and began to rebuild the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them supporting them” (Ezra 5:2). Then, officials who look to be Persian imperial representatives (regional officials rather than national officials, thus higher, greater authorities than Zerubbabel), enquire into what they were doing and who gave them permission to be doing it. This questioning seems to be prompted by a different motivation than the Samaritans’ effort. The Samaritans were trying to stop the work while these Persians were making sure these Jews were not working in defiance or rebellion to their king. 

Unlike with the first inquiry, Judah continues to rebuild while the Persian governor, Tattenai, writes to King Darius to see if this project was sanctioned (5:5ff). It’s impressive that his letter to Darius shows reverence to Jehovah and respect to the Jews. Tattenai refers to “the house of the great God” (5:8). He passes along their reference to Him as “the God of heaven (and earth)” (5:11,12) and the temple as “the house of God” (5:16,17). Tattenai passes along Judah’s claim that King Cyrus (founder of the Persian Empire) gave them permission and even proclaimed that the Persian treasuries underwrite the project (5:13-17). 

Darius, the current king of Persia, has the archives searched and the scroll containing Cyrus’ decree is found in the fortress city of Ecbatana, Media (6:1-2). They find the decree just as the Jews claimed, complete with the specifications of the temple’s size (6:3), materials (6:4), and furnishings (6:5). Upon finding this, Darius goes even further. He commands that the Jews be unobstructed (6:7), underwritten (6:8), and unhindered in their return to worship and service to God (6:9-10). To underscore his seriousness, Darius ends by saying, “And I issued a decree that any man who violates this edict, a timber shall be drawn from his house and he shall be impaled on it and his house shall be made a refuse heap on account of this. May the God who has caused His name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who attempts to change it, so as to destroy this house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, have issued this decree, let it be carried out with all diligence!” (6:11-12). 

Consider what happens here. The people attempted to rebuild the temple. Opposition stopped their work. God raises up prophets to stir the people back to action. The people favorably respond, getting back to work. Imperial officials happen by their worksite, asking by what authority they were working. They refer back to Cyrus’ original decree, which is verified by Darius. Not only does he permit the work to continue, but he also pays for it. 

Can’t we apply this to today? Hasn’t God given us a great work? Don’t we face external pressures and internal obstacles which discourage our obedience? Not only can God’s message stir our hearts and move us to restore, but we can also count on God to provide what we need, when we need it, if we will put our hands to the good work (Neh. 1:3). This is the very thing Paul has in mind when he writes, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). God is the cause, He is at work helping His people serving His purpose! If God wills it and we do it, He will help make it happen! Believe it!

Urgently Doing Something Weird

Dale Pollard

“Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” He commanded his chariot to stop and was baptized immediately (Acts 8:36-39). 

“…the same hour of the night…” (Acts 16:33).

If you’re ready— don’t wait. 

You know you’re ready when you feel an urgency that’s based on your understanding of God’s expectation. Once you know what it means to follow Jesus, and you know what it means to be lost, you know you have sins that need to be addressed, and you know that we’re not promised tomorrow. It’s fear driven, it’s love driven, and it’s clarity driven. While there’s nothing sinful about scheduling your baptism, it could be an indicator that you’re not exactly sure why you’re doing it. If you know you have sin that needs washed away, why would anybody wait? 

So, Baptism Is Weird 

This is my opinion based on conversations I’ve had with Christians who struggle with either the reason they were baptized or some other hold up they face before getting into the water. It’s just a strange thing to do. 

What About Feelings? 

You might feel relief. You might feel awkward or slightly uncomfortable. You might not feel anything at all. But don’t base your own baptism off of how you feel but rather what you know to be occurring. The baptism garments can be leaky and the water might be a little cold or dirty. The act itself might seem so foreign or unnatural that the whole event is tense or fills you with anxiety. 

All of that doesn’t matter. 

Is it a little weird? It can be. I’ve baptized people and even dropped a guy and had to start all over! We laughed, he was immersed, we hugged, and we quietly got out of the baptistery. His family didn’t know whether or not they should clap or sing or— really what to do afterwards!

All of that doesn’t matter. 

It has nothing to do with the people who are around; this is strictly a you and God thing. God’s doing every bit of the cleansing and adding. You need a belief that convicts you enough to act on an unnatural faith. You need two arms and a strong back to get the job done. You’ll need a body of water deep enough to cover you. That’s it! You don’t need family and friends around or a minister to give his certificate of approval. Everything is between you and God. Don’t overthink the Truth. God’s trying to save you, and it’s really that simple. 

————————————————

Here’s all the examples of salvation through baptism in the book of Acts: 

 (Acts 2:38,41; 8:12; 8:36-39; 9:18; 22:16; 10:48; 16:15; 16:33; 18:8; 19:5).

Excellent Sermon on Romans 8

Starts at 29:34

Ezra: Israel’s Restoration Movement (IV)

Dealing With The Enemies Of Restoration (4:1-24)

Neal Pollard

Those seeking to restore God’s will and return to God’s way can usually count on this variable, that there are people who will stand against them. For one thing, the devil doesn’t want such work to succeed (cf. 1 Chron. 21:1; 1 Pet. 5:8; 2 Cor. 2:11). For another, those who resist the commanded efforts of God’s obedient children become his willing allies and accomplices. That’s what occurs in Ezra four, “when the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people of the exile were building a temple to the Lord God of Israel” (1).  They utilize several tactics to try and halt a work they disapproved of. Some methods are pretty timeless, like those discovered here.

First, they tried to interfere with the work of God’s people (2-3).They tried to insert themselves and interfere with the plans and efforts which God put in place through His leaders. While it may seem that the leaders were ungrateful and rude, they understood who these people really were. As the inspired writer says, these were “enemies” (1). Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the households of Israel knew fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness would mean severing fellowship with God (cf. Eph. 5:11; 2 John 9-11).

Then, they discouraged them (4). Details of how they did so aren’t given, but the effect is mentioned. There are a million ways to discourage good work–hypercriticism, second-guessing, gossip, false accusations, questioning motives, lying, etc. In fact, we’ll see some of the specific ways they were discouraged in the following verses. Barnabas was so synonymous with encouragement that it was part of his nickname (Acts 4:36), but these people were synonymous with discouragement. And God immortalizes them in perpetual infamy as discouragers of God’s people. That’s a position none of us ever want to occupy!

They intimidated them (4). Whereas discouragement might often appear more passive, intimidation is aggressive. It’s bullying, using leverage to try to negatively influence and stop people. It involves threats. Ezra describes it this way, that “they frightened them from building” (4). They will magnify their intimidation with the actions that follow, but this was premeditated. Their goal was clear. They used their influence and means to make God’s people afraid to do what God’s Word commanded. 

They sought to frustrate their purpose and delay them (5). Everything between verse 5 and verse 24 describes how they delayed the work of God for what would amount to 16 years! They needled and pestered them, gave unsolicited advice, and persisted throughout the rest of Artaxerxes’ reign. They were not simply neutral or uninvolved; they actively tried to subvert righteous efforts. 

They falsely accused them (6-16). Sadly, this tactic was highly effective and its impact lasted over a decade. After identifying themselves as loyal subjects of their foreign overlord (11), they begin their smear campaign. They warn Artaxerxes that if and when they rebuild the temple and the walls around Jerusalem, Judah will “will not pay tribute, custom or toll, and it will damage the revenue of the kings” (13), “is a rebellious city and damaging to kings and provinces” (15), and “if that city is rebuilt and the walls finished, as a result you will have no possession in the province beyond the River” (16). They drew heavily on their prejudiced view of Judah’s past to accomplish their present goal. Distortion and outright dishonesty was fair game to them because it suited their agenda. 

They use their influence against them (17-24). The Persian Empire at this time was suffering from potential Civil War, unrest, power struggles, and instability, with regime changes, espionage, and treachery popping up like wildfire across the vast empire. The Samaritans, trying to stop Judah’s rebuilding project, used this to their advantage. This letter sent to Artaxerxes had its intended effect. Trying to cool off this hot spot in his empire, the Persian king took the position that halting the Jews’ rebuilding project would help maintain order in this part of the Empire. So these “enemies” (Samaritans) used their influence with the Persian king to disrupt the progress the Jews had enjoyed up to that point. Incidentally, this helps explain some of the animosity the Jews retained even up to the time of Christ.

A powerful passage quoting Jesus says, “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters” (Mat. 12:30). It is always important to examine ourselves to find out where we are in relation to God’s will and word (2 Cor. 13:5). Our task must unequivocally be to aid and support the restoration of the work and will of God. We must look within and determine where we are in that. The last thing we would want is to find ourselves on the wrong side of the divine purpose. 

Weekly Gold From My FAVORITE Writer:

#32- It Will Stand Forever

The Worship Was Delayed And Nobody Cared!

Neal Pollard

I have never been a part of a service like last night. C.J. and Walter Moore met to study the Bible an hour before evening worship. At the end of the study, they knew they needed to obey the gospel. They did not want to wait. Their mom, Shannon Anthony, had also been studying and was ready to be baptized. This sweet family was ready, together, to be united with Christ. So, we asked each to make the confession of their faith, and then each was baptized. It is our custom to have a welcome circle afterward, and we did just that. Hiram shared beautiful, encouraging thoughts, then David Pahman, on behalf of our shepherds, prayed for these precious souls! Finally, around 6:40, we had our announcements. The actual worship service was much abbreviated, punctuated by Harry Potter’s beautiful, heartfelt prayer. But, I believe everyone left the assemblies last night with greater faith, hope, and determination to live the Christian life.

The church faces challenges. Her leaders have to do (and lead us to do) hard things. We live in a world that seems to steadily move further away from God. Our own lives are filled with difficulties. But, moments like last night are spiritual vitamins and nutrients that more than keep us going. They motivate us to do more for His cause! I doubt that anyone present last night will soon forget the time the worship was delayed while the church family enjoyed three additions! In fact, we’d love to see it happen every week!

Here it is, for anyone who’d like to watch

Ezra: Israel’s Restoration Movement (III)

At Work On Restoration (3:1-13)

Neal Pollard

With the permission, the principles, and the people secured, the leadership and the people join together to get to work on the areas God wanted restored. This was not the end, but only the first steps. Restoration is an ongoing necessity, and it can be very hard work. What did they do in Ezra’s day that can help us pursue with success our challenge of restoring New Testament Christianity?

THE WORK OF RESTORATION REQUIRES UNITY (1). “The people gathered together as one man.” As David wrote in that Psalm of Ascent, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” (133:1). Restoration necessitates coming together as one.  

THE WORK OF RESTORATION REQUIRES DIVINE GUIDANCE (2). Proper worship, under the Old Law, necessitated an altar. So the priests, schooled on worship matters, built it “as it is written in the law of Moses, the man of God.”  The work is not restoration if it is not His work done according to His pattern. Nothing else will do! 

THE WORK OF RESTORATION REQUIRES COURAGE (3). They were terrified of the peoples of the land, whom we will observe later in Ezra as a perpetual thorn in their sides. Judah was a hodgepodge ragtag bunch of recent returnees and may have felt like an easy prey to the enemies all around them. But, we notice that their terror didn’t keep them (at this point) from the work of restoration (2 Tim. 1:7). 

THE WORK OF RESTORATION REQUIRES OBEDIENCE (4). They were moved by an “as it is written” and an “according to the ordinance” “as each day required.” The very definition of spiritual restoration is doing and making happen the things God has specifically called for. “His house, His rules” (1 Tim. 3:15). 

THE WORK OF RESTORATION REQUIRES SACRIFICE (5-7). That sacrifice was measured in animals (5), human effort (5-6), money (7), food, drink, and oil (7), and lumber (7). The attitude of sacrifice involved “freewill offering” (5). All of it centered around Jehovah. Though these things were given to people on earth, the sacrifice was being made to God. 

THE WORK OF RESTORATION REQUIRES INVOLVEMENT (8-10). Ezra seems to always begin at the top when mentioning work being done. Zerubbabel and Jeshua, along with the worship leaders (the priests and Levites) led the way. They began the work with “all who came from the captivity to Jerusalem” (8). The Levites age 20 and older were involved (8). Jeshua and his family were involved (9). So were Kadmiel’s family (9). So were the “workmen” (9). The builders, priests, and Levites, the sons of Asaph, all had different responsibilities, and all of them were involved in fulfilling them (10). In the Lord’s church, He has work for elders, preachers, deacons, teachers, and the rest of the members to do. It’s not all the same exact task. We have a vision statement emphasizing seven distinct areas where work and help is needed. To be the New Testament church, we must all find an area or areas to roll up our sleeves and either lead or assist. 

THE WORK OF RESTORATION REQUIRES THE HEART (11-13). It strikes me that their restoration was hardly a matter of just external changes (altars, sacrifices, and temples). Those were significant, but another element was essential. They worshipped, singing, praising, and giving thanks (11). They shouted with a great shout at seeing the beginning of the reconstruction of the temple (11). The old people who could remember Solomon’s Temple wailed and lamented at the relative modesty of these rebuilt foundations (12). The shouts and weeping were so loud it was heard from far away (13). But in both cases, nobody was disengaged. Their hearts were fully involved. They were convicted, invested, and committed. 

You and I are to be involved in restoration today. Our task is not to jealously guard our own traditions, to reflect the culture’s view and desires, to do what we want or prefer, or to blend in with the larger religious world (even within Christendom). Restoration is about God’s pattern, expectations, and purpose, glorified through His obedient church (Eph. 3:20-21). If we will please Him, we have no choice. We must be restorers. Thank God for Ezra 3, full as it is with principles regarding how to accomplish that vital work!