Monday, April 15, 2019

Dedication of this house of God

Ezra 6:16-22
For the dedication(貢獻) of this house of God they offered a bulls, rams,  lambs as a sin offering for all Israel. They installed the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their groups for the service of God at Jerusalem, according to what is written in the Book of Moses.
On the fourteenth day of the first month, the exiles celebrated the Passover.
For seven days they celebrated with joy the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because the Lord and filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria, so that he assisted them in the worked on the house of God, the God of Israel.
In four years the Temple is finished and the people are able to celebrate Passover. For a nation that has recently come through a second exodus, delivered by God from their bondage in Babylon, this must have had very special meaning. In contrast to 4:3, 6:21 records that the sacrifices were enjoyed not only by the returned Jewish exiles, but also 'by all those who had given up the pagan ways of the other people who were living in the land and who had come to worship the Lord God of Israel'. Here is the 'remnant' of Israel, true to their identity, bring others into covenant relationship with God; separate but not exclusive.
Why?
This is second exodus, with God's mighty hands so they may celebrate Passover and feast of Unleavened Bread.
For God's worked on the Israelite and changing the attitude of the king of Assyria. It is word of the Lord and beyond mind and way of men.
How?
Acknowledge who sovereign the world and leads our way forward, who is the Lord.




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