Firstborn

Hebrews 1:6 - And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”


John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Colossians 1:15,18 - The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation…And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Hebrews 10:5-6 - Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.

Psalm 97:7 - All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols—worship him, all you gods!

Application:

· God’s love for me is was not mere sentiment but led to a specific action, the giving of His Son
· Christ was the first to rise from the dead with a resurrection body. All others who were raised from the dead died again
· Christ obeyed submissively to the Father in coming to earth
· Do I foolishly worship false gods? All false gods have been commanded to worship Him
· Jesus has rights and privileges of a firstborn son over all creation – priority, preeminence, sovereignty.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

In The Past

Hebrews 1:1-2 - In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.


Hebrews 2:2-3 - For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

Hebrews 12:25 - See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?

Acts 2:17 - “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

1 John 2:18 - Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

Application:

· If disregard for the law brought certain punishment, disregard for the gospel will bring even greater punishment
· Since I have greater revelation, do I have greater responsibility? Am I in greater danger as a result?
· The last days are here
· Am I alert, waiting for the return of Christ?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Your Servants The Prophets

Ezra 9:10-12 - “But now, our God, what can we say after this? For we have forsaken the commands you gave through your servants the prophets when you said: ‘The land you are entering to possess is a land polluted by the corruption of its peoples. By their detestable practices they have filled it with their impurity from one end to the other. Therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them at any time, that you may be strong and eat the good things of the land and leave it to your children as an everlasting inheritance.’


Deuteronomy 18:9 - When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there.

Jeremiah 7:25 - From the time your ancestors left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again I sent you my servants the prophets.

Exodus 34:15 - “Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land; for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you and you will eat their sacrifices.

Joel 3:20 - Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations.

Application:

· Do I resort to the wrong sources for my information, guidance or revelation? Do I listen to the Lord’s prophets?
· Do I serve the Lord faithfully?
· Do I partake of things that invite compromise?
· When God’s judgment and redemption are consummated, His kingdom will endure and flourish eternally.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Sword

Ezra 9:7-9 - From the days of our ancestors until now, our guilt has been great. Because of our sins, we and our kings and our priests have been subjected to the sword and captivity, to pillage and humiliation at the hand of foreign kings, as it is today. “But now, for a brief moment, the LORD our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage. Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.


Ezekiel 21:27 - A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! The crown will not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come; to him I will give it.’

Ecclesiastes 12:11 - The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd.

2 Kings 25:28 - He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honor higher than those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon.

Application:

· The Messiah is to whom everything rightfully belongs
· Scripture is in a class of its own
· Do I speak kindly to those in authority? Do I honor them?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Ashamed and Disgraced

Ezra 9:5-6,15 - Then, at the evening sacrifice, I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the LORD my God and prayed: “I am too ashamed and disgraced, my God, to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens…LORD, the God of Israel, you are righteous! We are left this day as a remnant. Here we are before you in our guilt, though because of it not one of us can stand in your presence.”


Job 42:6 - Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”

Isaiah 59:12-13 - For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities: rebellion and treachery against the LORD, turning our backs on our God, inciting revolt and oppression, uttering lies our hearts have conceived.

Ezra 8:22 - I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.”

Luke 18:13 - “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

Ezra 10:10 - Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have been unfaithful; you have married foreign women, adding to Israel’s guilt.

Application:

· Do I feel inner shame before God for my sins? God’s love is more than a match for my guilt
· Am I humble and repentant before God?
· Do I own up to my guilt as the cause of my miseries?
· Am I ashamed to pursue actions outside of God’s will after proclaiming my faith in God’s ability to provide?
· Do I plead my good works for forgiveness or do I plead for God’s mercy?
· God is just and merciful. God would be justified in judging me. I should be humbled before Him
· Have I been unfaithful to the commands of God?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Fell On My Knees

Ezra 9:5-6,15 - Then, at the evening sacrifice, I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the LORD my God and prayed: “I am too ashamed and disgraced, my God, to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens…LORD, the God of Israel, you are righteous! We are left this day as a remnant. Here we are before you in our guilt, though because of it not one of us can stand in your presence.”


Psalm 95:6-7 - Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

Nehemiah 9:6,21 - You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you…For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen.

Daniel 9:18 - Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.

Application:

· Am I humble enough to fall on my knees with my hands spread out to the Lord my God to pray?
· The Lord is my Creator and my Redeemer. He has made me what I am.
· Do I feel inner shame before God for my own sins? God’s love is more than a match for my guilt.
· God is just and merciful. God would be justified in judging me. I should be humbled before Him
· There is only one Lord, maker of everything
· God sustains me. I lack nothing. He is sufficient.
· God answers prayer because of His grace, not because of my works.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Safe Journey

Ezra 8:16-21 - So I summoned Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah and Meshullam, who were leaders, and Joiarib and Elnathan, who were men of learning, and I ordered them to go to Iddo, the leader in Kasiphia. I told them what to say to Iddo and his fellow Levites, the temple servants in Kasiphia, so that they might bring attendants to us for the house of our God. Because the gracious hand of our God was on us, they brought us Sherebiah, a capable man, from the descendants of Mahli son of Levi, the son of Israel, and Sherebiah’s sons and brothers, 18 in all; and Hashabiah, together with Jeshaiah from the descendants of Merari, and his brothers and nephews, 20 in all. They also brought 220 of the temple servants—a body that David and the officials had established to assist the Levites. All were registered by name. There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.


Psalm 5:8 - Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies—make your way straight before me.

Psalm 27:11 - Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Application:

· Does God so direct me that my enemies have no grounds for malicious accusations?
· Do I know the Lord’s will? Do I do the Lord’s will? I cannot expect favorable response to my prayers if I am not knowing and doing the Lord’s will
· Am I ever mindful of God? Do I serve Him with a willing and faithful heart? If I am, He will remove the obstacles from my pathway and bring me to my appointed goal.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Zechariah

Ezra 8:1-3 - These are the family heads and those registered with them who came up with me from Babylon during the reign of King Artaxerxes: of the descendants of Phinehas, Gershom; of the descendants of Ithamar, Daniel; of the descendants of David, Hattush of the descendants of Shekaniah; of the descendants of Parosh, Zechariah, and with him were registered 150 men;


Luke 1:13,30-33,35,54-55 - But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John…But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”… The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God…He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

Application:

· My prayers are being heard.
· Jesus is the divine Son of the Most High God
· The kingdom of God the Father and God the Son will never end
· Though Jesus was human, He did not inherit a sinful nature
· God will be true (and is true) to His promises

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Favor

Ezra 7:17-7:28 - With this money be sure to buy bulls, rams and male lambs, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and sacrifice them on the altar of the temple of your God in Jerusalem. You and your fellow Israelites may then do whatever seems best with the rest of the silver and gold, in accordance with the will of your God. Deliver to the God of Jerusalem all the articles entrusted to you for worship in the temple of your God. And anything else needed for the temple of your God that you are responsible to supply, you may provide from the royal treasury. Now I, King Artaxerxes, decree that all the treasurers of Trans-Euphrates are to provide with diligence whatever Ezra the priest, the teacher of the Law of the God of heaven, may ask of you—up to a hundred talents of silver, a hundred cors of wheat, a hundred baths of wine, a hundred baths of olive oil, and salt without limit. Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the God of heaven. Why should his wrath fall on the realm of the king and of his sons? You are also to know that you have no authority to impose taxes, tribute or duty on any of the priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, temple servants or other workers at this house of God. And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God, which you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people of Trans-Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach any who do not know them. Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king must surely be punished by death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment. Praise be to the LORD, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honor to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem in this way and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the LORD my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.


2 Kings 25:28 - He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honor higher than those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon.

Application:

· Has the Lord put it in my heart to bring honor to Him? Has the Lord extended good favor to me? Is the hand of the Lord on me? Has He given me courage?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Letter

Ezra 7:7-16 - Some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers and temple servants, also came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king. He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. This is a copy of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law, a man learned in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the LORD for Israel: Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, teacher of the Law of the God of heaven: Greetings. Now I decree that any of the Israelites in my kingdom, including priests and Levites, who volunteer to go to Jerusalem with you, may go. You are sent by the king and his seven advisers to inquire about Judah and Jerusalem with regard to the Law of your God, which is in your hand. Moreover, you are to take with you the silver and gold that the king and his advisers have freely given to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem, together with all the silver and gold you may obtain from the province of Babylon, as well as the freewill offerings of the people and priests for the temple of their God in Jerusalem.


Daniel 9:27 - He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.

Nehemiah 2:4-5 - The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”

Application:

· Am I chosen of God? Am I in a new covenant relationship with the Lord?
· Do I quickly speak to God before I answer or do I answer quickly?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Preoccupation or Diligence

Ezra 6:11-13 - Furthermore, I decree that if anyone defies this edict, a beam is to be pulled from their house and they are to be impaled on it. And for this crime their house is to be made a pile of rubble. May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple in Jerusalem. I Darius have decreed it. Let it be carried out with diligence. Then, because of the decree King Darius had sent, Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates carried it out with diligence.


Deuteronomy 21:22-23 - If someone guilty of a capital offense is put to death and their body is exposed on a pole, you must not leave the body hanging on the pole overnight. Be sure to bury it that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse. You must not desecrate the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

Haggai 1:6,12 - You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”… Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD.

Application:

· Hanging on a tree (which could include impaled on a beam) symbolized divine judgment and rejection. Christ was divinely judged and rejected.
· Does God not bless me because of my preference for personal comfort? Am I frustrated because I care more for myself and my family than what God wants from me?
· Do I revere and respect the Lord? Do I obey the voice of the Lord provided by His messengers?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Pray For The Well-Being Of The King And His Sons

Ezra 5:16-6:10 - “So this Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the house of God in Jerusalem. From that day to the present it has been under construction but is not yet finished.” Now if it pleases the king, let a search be made in the royal archives of Babylon to see if King Cyrus did in fact issue a decree to rebuild this house of God in Jerusalem. Then let the king send us his decision in this matter. King Darius then issued an order, and they searched in the archives stored in the treasury at Babylon. A scroll was found in the citadel of Ecbatana in the province of Media, and this was written on it: Memorandum: In the first year of King Cyrus, the king issued a decree concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem: Let the temple be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices, and let its foundations be laid. It is to be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide, with three courses of large stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid by the royal treasury. Also, the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, are to be returned to their places in the temple in Jerusalem; they are to be deposited in the house of God. Now then, Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and you other officials of that province, stay away from there. Do not interfere with the work on this temple of God. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its site. Moreover, I hereby decree what you are to do for these elders of the Jews in the construction of this house of God: Their expenses are to be fully paid out of the royal treasury, from the revenues of Trans-Euphrates, so that the work will not stop. Whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, male lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, and wheat, salt, wine and olive oil, as requested by the priests in Jerusalem—must be given them daily without fail, so that they may offer sacrifices pleasing to the God of heaven and pray for the well-being of the king and his sons.


1 Timothy 2:1-2 - I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Application:

· Do I pray for the well-being of those in authority over me? (president, congressional representatives, state representatives, governors, mayors, bosses, councilmen, church leaders, parents, etc.)

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Work

Ezra 5:2,6-15 - Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them…This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates, the officials of Trans-Euphrates, sent to King Darius. The report they sent him read as follows: To King Darius: Cordial greetings. The king should know that we went to the district of Judah, to the temple of the great God. The people are building it with large stones and placing the timbers in the walls. The work is being carried on with diligence and is making rapid progress under their direction. We questioned the elders and asked them, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and to finish it?” We also asked them their names, so that we could write down the names of their leaders for your information. This is the answer they gave us: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, one that a great king of Israel built and finished. But because our ancestors angered the God of heaven, he gave them into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar the Chaldean, king of Babylon, who destroyed this temple and deported the people to Babylon. “However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to rebuild this house of God. He even removed from the temple of Babylon the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to the temple in Babylon. Then King Cyrus gave them to a man named Sheshbazzar, whom he had appointed governor, and he told him, ‘Take these articles and go and deposit them in the temple in Jerusalem. And rebuild the house of God on its site.’


Ezra 4:12 - The king should know that the people who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations.

Application:

· Have I lost sight of my top priority? Am I implementing and recognizing the will and purpose of God?
· Do I switch my loyalties when pressured?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Structure

Ezra 5:3-5 - At that time Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates went to them and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and to finish it?” They also asked, “What are the names of those who are constructing this building?” But the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received.


Ezra 4:12 - The king should know that the people who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations.

2 Kings 25:28 - He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honor higher than those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon.

Ezra 8:22 - I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.”

Application:

· Do I switch my loyalties when pressured?
· Do I give those chosen of God the benefit of the doubt?
· Do I proclaim my faith in God’s abilities and then try to depend on man’s (or my) abilities?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV