Thursday, November 21, 2013

November 22, 2013 The Temple First



Read 1 Chronicles 8-9

The Temple First

9 All Israel was listed in the genealogies recorded in the book of the kings of Israel. The people of Judah were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. 2 Now the first to resettle on their own property in their own towns were some Israelites, priests, Levites and temple servants.

THERE is a one-sentence reference to Israel, the Northern Kingdom. That nation was permanently destroyed because its kings and people repeatedly rejected God’s Word. The people of Judah, the Southern Kingdom, behaved as badly, but God had a different plan for that nation. Thus, “The people of Judah were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.”
     Then see the people God first sends back to Judah. They are the priests, Levites and temple servants. God begins rebuilding Judah with the rebuilding of the place to proclaim His Word as they restore the Temple.
     The book of Ezra records Zerubbabel leading the Temple’s rebuilding. Later Nehemiah comes back from exile to govern Jerusalem, and along with Ezra, the priest, they lead a restoration of God’s Word and civil defense over the city. The people have a safe place to live and worship.
     God always leads with His presence. He leads the Jews from Egypt through the desert with his pillar of fire by night and cloud by day. He requires the Ark of God to go first across the Jordan into the Promised Land. David’s success came when he inquired of the Lord. Time and again, you will see in Scripture that to properly follow God you must seek him first.
     God has clearly shown himself in His Word. Are you seeking him? Will you follow him on this day?

A Moment’s Thought: The all-knowing God is the One to know.

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