Sat.’s Devo - The Second Return to Jerusalem

Read: Ezra 7:1-8:20; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 20:28-30 Years after Artaxerxes became the king of Persia he sent Ezra to Jerusalem. Ezra had been a descendant of Aaron the high priest during Moses’ time. He taught the scriptures and was a scribe who was well versed in the Law. He arrived in Jerusalem the first day of the first month of the religious calendar. This was the month of Passover and Unleavened Bread. He began teaching the people about what the Law said. He also came bearing a letter from King Artaxerxes blessing all the Jews who returned to Jerusalem. He sent with Ezra, silver and gold to buy sacrifices to sacrifice on behalf of the King and gave him the authority to use whatever was left over for the use of the Temple in any way Ezra deemed fit. All of their needs would be paid for out of the royal treasury. He had laden Ezra with 7,500 pounds of silver, 500 bushels of wheat, 550 gallons of wine, 550 gallons of olive oil and an unlimited supply of salt. He also decreed that the priests, and anyone associated with working in the Temple were tax exempt and toll free. He gave Ezra the authority to appoint all the governing positions and to have them govern according to the Law in the Book. He also gave him the authority to punish anyone who refused to obey the Law however he thought appropriate. Around 1336 Jews came with Ezra from Babylon. Along the way, Ezra examined the list of people with him and realized that not one Levite had volunteered to return so he sent for the leaders of the people to encourage Levites that they knew to come with them. They were able to find 261 Levites. In Corinthians, Paul exposed his vulnerability to his followers. He reminded them that just because he was the leader didn’t make him perfect or right all the time. I can totally relate to Paul’s heart because as a teacher of God’s Word, I understand the grave responsibility to try to be right, knowing that I am only human. My heart, and Paul’s was to always be pointing people to the source that is Christ. He is always perfect and always right. We see through a glass darkly so we sometimes get it wrong but Jesus never gets it wrong. Paul suffered much for the sake of the gospel and didn’t look like the fulfillment of all he preached, but his soul was rich. He didn’t just come with a lot of talk but he actually lived the power of God in his life. Lord, to live the power of God is our goal. May we not look at all we are suffering and fearing but at all the opportunities we are having to show forth your love and grace.