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- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Ezra 1-2
I keep mentioning the cyclical, fractal nature of the Bible. I see it again here. The Israelites’ return to the Promised Land from exile is reminiscent of their original exodus from Egypt in a couple of interesting ways. In both cases the Israelites received all kinds of valuables from the native people as they left. And in both cases the people were counted and their numbers recorded.
I don’t really know what the significance, if any, of these details might be. They do, however, spark a few thoughts in my mind. Most importantly, it makes me think that the two incidents tell the same story on a different scale. That is to say, I think both show us God’s plan to rescue a counted remnant solely by His hand, redeeming them as His own so they can dwell in His presence. We will be His people and He will be our God. It also makes me think that we make that journey, not with our own resources, but by God’s provision. Finally, it makes me think of Psalm 87:5a. “And it will be said of Zion, ‘This one and that one were born in her’”. God knows His own. He numbers and records us by name. And not one of us will be lost.
Ezra 3
After returning to their homeland, the Israelites gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Shelters and offer the prescribed sacrifices to God. “They set up the altar on its foundation and offered burnt offerings for the morning and evening on it to the LORD even though they feared the surrounding peoples.” (Ezra 3:3). They sacrificed to God in spite of their fear. May I always be encouraged to do the same!
Ps. 137
We read from some of the prophets that God judged Edom for their response when Jerusalem fell to Babylon. We see that mentioned in this Psalm. “Remember, LORD, what the Edomites said that day at Jerusalem: ‘Destroy it! Destroy it down to its foundations!’” (Ps. 137:7). Oddly, the Psalmist placed this comment near the end of a lament against Babylon. Why specifically call out Edom, of all the other nations, in this lament? Maybe it’s because Edom was Israel’s brother. As such, the Edomites would have been Israel’s most likely source of support. That is a reminder to me to put my faith in God alone, for He is the “friend who stays closer than a brother.” (Prov. 18:24b). Like the Israelites in this Psalm, let me exalt Jerusalem – God’s presence – as my greatest joy.