Building in Times of Trouble Ezra 5, 6
Some of you are in the midst of building renovations. Building renovations are a far more enjoyable task than a rebuilding program I must say; having done both and can compare between the 2. After the 2011 floods at Barellan Point, we had to start a rebuilding program. Our house was gutted – we had the slab, the frame and the roof, but nothing else; everything else was not able to withstand being under water.
We were building in times of trial because everyone in our street was affected and had to either rebuild or go through the painful process of dealing with insurance agencies. Marriages were tested at that time and some didn’t survive. It broke a lot of people. But we were determined to rebuild and get back in as soon as possible. God showed up and we, by God’s grace, managed to get back before anyone else, but it was very tough at times and brought me to tears on a number of occasions.
You either keep looking at an incomplete house or you get on with fitting it out. It’s the same with our faith and those involved in rebuilding from the ruins.
Historical background. The Israelites had returned after 70 years of exile in Babylon. They started well; they built the altar and the foundation of the temple. (Ezra 3) They built the altar outside the temple: they could sacrifice, but could not carry out other requirements of the law by the priesthood because there was no temple. In 536BC, they had money and provisions from King Cyrus, but they blew it all on other building programs: their own houses, rather than what the money and resources were meant to be used for – God’s house, the temple.
Excuses. It’s not the right time to build the temple. (Haggai 2)
Discouragement. 3 men: Bishlam, Mithredath and Tabeel wrote to King Artaxerxes of Persia. (Ezra 4:7) He did not honour his earlier king’s (his dad, Cyrus) initial decree and stopped the building of the temple. The year was now 516 – 20 years later. Darius was on the throne. He is a key figure.
Haggai and Zechariah started to preach and the building program restarted. Another letter to the King of Persia by the governor Tattenai (Ezra 5:6), but this time to Darius. Who was King Darius? He was the same king who knew Daniel and rose early in the morning and went to see if Daniel had been saved from the lions’ mouths after being thrown into the lions’ den overnight. King Darius’ heart was already in favour of his old senior Jewish governor Daniel. Daniel wanted the best for Jerusalem and Darius knew that. So, when this letter came from Jerusalem saying they were rebuilding the temple, the king’s heart was already motivated to bless the rebuilding program.
Look at what Darius wrote back to those who were discouraging the Jewish builders.
“Let the work on this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site. Moreover, I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God. The cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province from Beyond the River. And whatever is needed---bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests at Jerusalem require---let that be given to them day by day without fail, that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons. Also, I make a decree that if anyone alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of his house, and he shall be impaled on it, and his house shall be made a dunghill. May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who shall put out a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God that is in Jerusalem. I, Darius, make a decree; let it be done with all diligence." (Ezra 6:8-12)
The temple was in ruins, but it would be rebuilt better
Consider then verse 15, 18. Consider from this day, again then end of the verse. “For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place, I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.'" (Haggai 2:7-9)
You look back at the glory days. The old temple; that was living the dream. It was high, inside covered in gold, the mercy seat and the cherubim were there, the golden lampstand, the ark of the covenant, holy fire, God’s glory cloud even descended!! What’s this?!
But what’s God’s advice - be Strong! (Haggai 2:4) “Yet now be Strong oh Zerubbabel.” Ezra 6:14, 15: “They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia; and this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.”
Don’t look at externals. I will fill this house with glory, the glory of this temple will be more than the former temple. Don’t look at the externals – get your eyes off the rubble and put them on the ruler of the universe. Haggai was looking over 500 years into the future to the glory of the One who said, “destroy this temple and I will raise it up in 3 days,” and He did.
What about us? The church in the West is weak, but Christ is the Cornerstone, the Chief of the building. We must build with His Word, not with our own fallen understanding. Trust Him, be faithful and see what He does. We can stop work; live our lives, not be involved. Evil thrives when good people do nothing.
Society becomes more unhinged when the church is weak.
What’s the answer to the problem? How do we rebuild in times of trouble?
Personal body building – the poor Jews were disconnected from God personally. Like us, we need to maintain a healthy devotional life, prayer life, reading and personal praise life; learning to listen to the voice of God.
Corporate body building: God’s house was neglected; poor witness to the nations. What were the Jews really saying to the surrounding nations? “We are scared, God is not powerful, we don’t value His glory.” Application for today: certainly money, time and energy need to be spent on the physical church building. More importantly, what we are doing now: hearing God’s Word, encouraging and loving one another in Christ, praying, Lord’s table, ministering to each-other. Join a cell group.
Get involved in a building program where the renovation work involves witnessing new creations in Christ; seeing people being reborn, where the church is alive and strong with new growth. It starts with all of us being healthy individually and as a body.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sermon: Building in Times of Trouble Ezra 5:1-5
a. Do you recall some of the historical context of the book of Ezra? What had happened to the people of Judah and why were they having to rebuild the temple?
b. When spiritual work is attempted, Satan is never happy with the workers. What were some of the reasons the work had stopped for 20 years from 536BC to 516BC? How did the work begin again and who were the 2 prophets that encouraged it to restart?
c. Jay said the church in the West is not in a very healthy state. Do you agree with him? Why/Why not? In your answer discuss the purpose of the church as the bride of Christ and how the bride is to worship in Spirit and in truth. Consider what this looks like as you discuss John 16:8-11.
d. What are you doing, or what can you do, to build up the body of Christ at CBC? Pray for the gospel and our strategy as well as our upcoming Information Session on 28th May and the Community Day on Saturday, 24th June.