Wed.’s Devo - Finishing the Work

Read: Ezra 4:24-6:22; 1 Corinthians 3:5-23; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 20:26-27 The work on the Temple had stopped. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah prophesied, encouraging the people to continue building and to trust in the Lord to help them. Zerubbabel and Jeshua started building again. *** Tattenai, the governor of the province and Shethar-bozeni and their colleagues came to Jerusalem to ask them who gave them permission to start building again. They wanted the names of all the men working on the Temple. They sent Darius a letter concerning what the Jews were doing but they didn’t have them stop until they heard back from Darius. *** The letter said that when they asked the workers for a list of workers and who had given them the authority to start building again they said that they were servants of the God of heaven and earth. King Cyrus had sent them to rebuild it and had given them all the things that he had taken from their first temple. 
 *** Tattenai asked that King Darius make a search in his archives to find out if this was true. *** When the letter reached Darius, he did make a search and found the decree by Cyrus. He sent back a letter telling them to let them build and to help them by paying the full construction costs from taxes they collected. They were to give the priests all the bulls, rams and lambs needed for their sacrifices as well as wheat, salt, wine and olive oil. If they didn’t do this they would be impaled on a beam pulled from their own house. *** So the work could continue on the Temple and the people were greatly encouraged by what the Lord was doing for them. *** The Temple was completed on the third day of the month of Adar. It was then dedicated with great joy. During the ceremony they sacrifices 100 bulls, 200 rams and 400 male lambs. Twelve male goats were presented as a sin offering for the twelve tribes of Israel. On the fourteenth day of the first month they celebrated the Passover and Unleavened Bread for seven days. There was much joy throughout the land. *** In Corinthians, Paul told them that the people they put on a pedestal like Apollos and Paul were just servants of God. He made it clear that Christ is the foundation and Apollos and Paul just built on that foundation. The material they used will one day be put to the test with fire and what was built of God will stand. *** Lord, may we build on nothing less than Jesus Christ and his righteousness.

Tues.’s Devo - The Mystery of God

Read: Ezra 3:1-4:23; 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4; Psalm 28:1-9; Proverbs 20:24-25 Once the exiles had settled in their towns the priests began rebuilding the altar of the Lord on the place where it had been before. They did it even though they were afraid of the local residents. When they had it built they began to offer sacrifices on it each morning and evening. They celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles and received offerings fifteen days before the feast. They sacrificed the number of animals designated for the whole week of the feast and then began laying the foundation for the Temple to be built. *** They hired masons and carpenters and bought cedar logs from Tyre and Sidon paying them with food, wine and olive oil just like Solomon had. *** They began the construction in the second year around the mid spring. The Levites rebuilt the Temple supervised by Jeshua the priest and his family. When they finished the foundation, the priests put on their robes and blew the ram’s horns and gave praise and thanks to the Lord with music and singing. *** The younger generation gave shouts of joy, but the older ones who remembered the greatness of Solomon’s Temple wept in sadness. *** The enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were rebuilding a Temple to the Lord and they went to Zerubbabel and the other leaders and asked if they could help. Zerubbabel could smell a rat and wouldn’t let them help. Next, the local residents tried to discourage and frighten them to keep them from finishing. They even bribed the workers to frustrate their plans. This persecution lasted until King Darius of Persia took the throne. *** The enemies of the Jews, Bishlam, Mithredath and Tabeel saw their chance and had the governor write a letter to King Darius accusing the Jews of building a city that would rebel against him and refuse to pay him tribute. They encouraged him to look them up in the history books and read about all the trouble they had caused in the past. *** Darius did have them researched and agreed that they were indeed a rebellious people who would cause him trouble if they had a city of their own. He told Rehum, the governor to have them stop their work and not let the city be rebuilt. So with a show of strength, they had the Jews stop their building. *** In Corinthians, Paul explained to a group of mature believers that the wisdom of God was hidden especially from God’s enemy, the devil or he wouldn’t have crucified Christ. That was he greatest mistake. God hid the truth from him, but God doesn’t hide the truth from us. We have his spirit and his spirit is the Spirit of Truth. Those that don’t have his Spirit cannot understand the wisdom of God because it is not revealed to their understanding. We can understand God’s mysteries because we have the mind of Christ. *** Paul went on to tell them that when they said they were followers of Paul or Apollos they were acting just like the world. We are too if we think our pastor or our religion has all the truth. *** Lord, may we be one as you and the Father are one. May we do and speak truth that leads to unity and love.

Mon.’s Devo - Back to Jerusalem

Read: Ezra 1:1-2:70; 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 20:22-23 Jeremiah had prophesied that Israel would be away from their land for 70 years then return. God moved on Cyrus’ heart to send the Jews back to Jerusalem to rebuild their Temple to the Lord. He told all the Jews who now lived in Babylon that they could get donations from their neighbors to help them pay their way to return to Jerusalem. He would give them all the 5,400 items in his storehouse that had been taken from the Temple. *** A list of all the families was made and also a separate list of the families who were priests, Levites and temple servants. Other people went who could not prove their genealogy. In all there were 42,360 who returned in addition to 7,337 servants and 200 singers. 
 *** When they arrived they gave offerings of 61,000 gold coins, 6,250 pounds of silver and 100 robes for the priests. All of this was to go towards the rebuilding of the Temple. *** Paul explained to the church at Corinth that the message of the cross sounded foolish to those who couldn’t understand. They couldn’t see that to those who believed, it was the power of God. God hid his wisdom in the cross and the wisest people on the earth couldn’t find it. The Jews were looking for signs from heaven and the Greeks were looking to the wisdom of man but God in his wisdom hid the truth in the crucifixion of Christ. It was through his death that God’s power was displayed. Death was defeated and Christ was resurrected. *** Lord, may we always remember that that is your plan. You bring life out of death and joy out of pain. We trust that you are working everything for our good if we just trust you and follow your plan.

Sun.’s Devo - The Fall of Judah

Read: 2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1-17; Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 20:20-21 Josiah announced that all Israel would be celebrating the Passover together in Jerusalem. He had the Ark moved to the Temple to stay there permanently and told the priests and Levites to prepare for the Passover. Josiah provided 30,000 lambs to be sacrifices along with 3,000 cattle. The priests and Levites also offered a vast amount of animals to be sacrificed. They carried out the Passover as was written by Moses. Never since the time of Samuel had there been such a Passover. *** King Neco from Egypt let his battle to attack Carchemish on the Euphrates River and Josiah marched his army out to fight him. Neco sent a message saying he was not attacking Israel but just passing by it. He had no quarrel with Israel. But Josiah attacked him anyway and was killed in battle. All Israel mourned his death. *** The people made Josiah’s son, Jehoahaz the next king. Three months later, Neco came and took him prisoner to Egypt and put his brother Eliakim as the next king of Judah. He changed his name to Jehoiakim. *** Jehoiakim reigned 11 years and was an evil king. King Nebuchadnezzar came and took him in chains to Babylon along with treasures from the Temple. Jehoiakim’s son Jehoiachin became the next king. *** Jehoiachin only reigned for three months and ten days before he was taken to Babylon along with more of the treasures from the Temple. Nebuchadnezzar installed Jehoiachin’s uncle, Zedikiah as king. He reigned 11 years and was very hard and stubborn. He refused to turn to the Lord even though God sent Jeremiah to speak to him. *** The people and the priests became more and more unfaithful also and God sent his prophets to warn them over and over but they refused to listen. God turned them over to Nebuchadnezzar who took them to Babylon along with more of the treasures from the Temple and the palace. His army burned down the Temple, tore down the walls and burned the palace of the king and destroyed anything of value. *** Just as Jeremiah had prophesied, the land lay desolate for 70 years while the land enjoyed the Sabbaths it had been denied. *** After the 70 years, Cyrus came to the throne in Persia. He decreed that a Temple for God be built in Jerusalem and he allowed anyone who wanted to return and help, could go with his blessings. *** Paul wrote to the church in Corinth commending them for the gifts God had given them. God would keep them strong to the end because they had partnered with Jesus. He appealed to them to live in unity and not be divided by different personalities. Jesus isn’t divided, he is one and he wants us to be one also. *** Lord, as we go to our churches may our hearts be to worship You and not our pastors. May your anoint our pastors to give the words from You and may we walk out your purposes this week.

Sat.’s Devo - Josiah’s Reforms

Read: 2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33; Romans 16:10-27; Psalm 26:1-12; Proverbs 20:19 When Manasseh repented he rebuilt the outer wall of the city and fortified the towns of Judah. He removed all the foreign gods and the idol out of the Lord’s Temple. He tore down all the altars he had built around the Temple and restored the Lord’s altar. He encouraged the people to give up their pagan gods and worship the Lord, but the people still worshipped their gods at the shrines. When he died, he was buried in his palace and his son Amon became the next king. *** Amon was only 22 years old and he did evil like his father had done most of his life. Amon was assassinated by his own officials. The people killed his assassins. They made Amon’s son Josiah the next king. *** Josiah was only 8 when he became king and he reigned 31 years doing good his entire life. He sought the Lord and when he was 20 he began to destroy all the pagan shrines and graven images. He smashed all the Asherah poles and scattered the ashes over the bones of the graves of the pagan priests. He did this in the towns of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon and even to Naphtali. Then he returned to Jerusalem. *** When he was 24 he purified the land and the Temple. While they were repairing the Temple with the money they received from the people, they found a copy of the law and brought it to the king and read it to him. He tore his clothes and sent his officials to the Temple to speak to the Lord about what it said because he knew they had greatly offended the Lord by not keeping the words in the book. *** The prophet Hulda sent word back to Josiah telling him that God was indeed angry with Israel and would bring disaster on Jerusalem for abandoning him for false gods, but because Josiah had repented and was following him with all he knew to do, he would not bring the disaster until he had died. *** Josiah continued to clean up his land and remove all the detestable things from his land. He required everyone to worship the Lord. They made a covenant before the Lord to follow and worship only him. *** In Romans, Paul continued to give the names of those he wanted to acknowledge for their hard work for the Lord. He appealed to the people to not be divided by false teaching from those who only wanted to benefit themselves. He told them to stay pure and obedient to the Lord and soon the God of peace would crush Satan under their feet. *** Lord, thank you for the rewards of following you are victory and life. We choose your life and your righteousness.

Fri.’s Devo - Hezekiah’s Victory and Manasseh’s Defeat

Read: 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13; Romans 15:23-16:9; Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 20:16-18 Hezekiah followed the Lord whole-heartedly. King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah and tried to break through the walls of the fortified towns. He was headed to Jerusalem, so Hezekiah had his officials stop the springs outside the city so the Assyrian army wouldn’t have any water. He repaired all the weak places in his walls and fortified his defenses. *** Hezekiah put the city under military law and had them meet at the city square. He told the people to be strong and not afraid because the Assyrians might have a mighty army but they were mere humans. They were protected by the Lord and heaven’s army. *** Senecherib sent a message to Hezekiah saying that his God could not stand against him and his army. No other nation’s gods could stop them when they attacked so why should they think their God could stop them. They mocked the people standing on the wall and they spoke in Hebrew so they could understand what they were saying. They were trying to intimidate them so it would be easy to take the city. *** Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed and the Lord sent one angel who destroyed the whole Assyrian army and Sennacherib was forced to return how in disgrace. He was killed by his own sons when he entered into the temple of his god. *** Hezekiah amassed great wealth and honor. Many nations gave gifts to the Lord and to him. Ambassadors from Babylon came to hear from him about his victory over the Assyrians. It was a test that Hezekiah failed. In his pride, he showed them all his kingdom. In the Kings it said that God sent a prophet to tell him that since he showed them everything he had it would all end up being theirs one day. *** Manasseh his son became the next king when he died. Manasseh was only 12 when he became king and must have had some wicked advisors because as much as Hezekiah followed the Lord, Manasseh followed false gods. He did the most evil things and built pagan altars all over the land. He practiced every kind of evil which lead to the takeover of the land by the Assyrians. He was led to Babylon by a ring in his nose. *** In Babylon, Manasseh ended up repenting and praying to the Lord. God forgave him and eventually gave him back his kingdom. Then Manasseh realized there was only one God - Jehovah! *** In Romans, Paul is finished with his journey to the towns he wanted to visit. He is now excited about coming to Rome to visit the church there. First, he has to stop by Jerusalem to give them the gift the people had given to help those in need there. The persecution was the greatest in Jerusalem and Paul had raised money for them in his travels. *** Paul asks for their prayers as he travels there. In the meantime, he is sending Phoebe and asks them to receive her with love and hospitality. He sends his love to Priscilla and Aquila who worked with him in the ministry. *** He also tells them of Epenetus who was his first convert in Asia and gives more of his fellow workers names that he wants them to welcome with hospitality. *** Lord we honor you as the King and Lord, but help us to also honor our leaders and those who have labored in the Lord.

Thurs.’s Devo - Passover was Reinstated

Read: 2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21; Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 20:13-15 King Hezekiah sent word to all Israel and Judah to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover which hadn’t been celebrated in large groups for decades. It was to be celebrated a month later than the prescribed time because enough priests could not be purified by the time of Passover. *** The runners carried letters telling the people to return to the Lord and to meet to pray for those still in captivity. Most of the people laughed at them and made fun of them but some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem. God moved on the hearts of the people of Judah and they met to celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread. They removed the pagan altars from Jerusalem and threw them into the Kidron Valley. *** They celebrated the Passover which shamed the priests and Levites who hadn’t purified themselves. They repented and purified themselves and took their places at the Temple and took the blood of the pascal lamb and sprinkled it on the altar. *** Many of the people hadn’t purified themselves so the Levites had to offer their lamb for them. King Hezekiah prayed for the people and they were allowed to eat the meat from their lambs and God heard his prayer. *** The people joyously celebrated the Passover for seven days with singing and trumpets and praise. The people were so moved they decided to celebrate another week. Hezekiah gave 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep and the officials offered 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep so they had plenty to eat and celebrate with. God was pleased. *** The people left rejuvenated and went home and got rid of the idol worship in their towns. *** Hezekiah organized the priests and Levites into divisions to offer the daily burnt offerings and peace offering so they could have continual praise and worship in the Temple. He required the people to bring a portion of their goods to the priests and Levites to pay to keep them serving in the Temple. The people responded with joy and brought so much of their first fruits that there were piles of offerings. Storerooms were set up to store the abundance and it was apportioned as necessary to the priests and Levites and their families. *** In Romans, Paul makes it clear that we don’t live our lives for ourselves but to serve others and encourage them to walk in holiness and joy with the Lord. Our goal is harmony and unity of heart with God’s people. Paul reminded them that God had prophesied that He would one day rule over the Gentiles and they would put their trust in him. *** Paul prayed that God would fill us with joy and peace because we trust in him. He explained to the Roman church that the reason it was taking him so long to get to them for a visit was because he was going to places that had never heard of Christ and the Good News of the Gospel. Paul was a true evangelist. *** Lord, may we have undivided hearts to serve you with the gifts you have given us. May we be true to our calling as Paul was to his.