Thursday, July 20, 2017

WEEP AND REJOICE

Today’s Reading: Ezra 3-4

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

The black volcanic stones formed the foundation of the Capernaum synagogue in the first century. Jesus healed the man with the withered hand in this building (Mark 3:1-6).

 

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: Ezra 3:12

But many of the priests and Levites and heads of their fathers’ houses, who were old men, who had seen the first Temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes; yet many shouted aloud for joy…

 

Today’s reading tells a story of tragedy and triumph! The people followed a two-year plan of worship and work (100words is also on a two-year plan). The foundation of God’s house had been completed. It was time to rejoice, reminisce, and express hope for the future.

The destruction of the original Temple by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar had not hindered the worship of the true God in the people’s hearts. In fact, the opposite was true. The 70 years of captivity in Babylon had purified and intensified their fervency for God. The circumstances demanded small group gatherings. Eventually this would result in the development of the synagogue movement. Even before they began the construction project, they set up an altar to express reverence and obedience to God. Building or no building, God’s people will always find a place of personal, and if available, corporate worship.

In chapter four, we read of a delay in construction of the physical building; but the building of the holy temple, “eternal in the heavens,” went right on. Read 2 Corinthians 4:16 to 5:1-8.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, Like the people who gathered around Ezra’s vision, sometimes I weep and sometimes I shout for joy. You know my heart and mind. I pray for grace and consistency to worship You at all times and all places. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I served for several years as a Judge in “The International Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion.” One recipient for whom I voted was Rabbi Lord Jacobovitz, chief Rabbi of Britain and the Commonwealth (see photo below). He had written extensively on the subject of medical ethics, but the main reason I supported him was for his work with the USSR in bringing Jewish people out of the oppression and persecution of the Soviet Union. The people were called “Refuseniks.” He, like Ezra, succeeded magnificently. At Convocation Hall in the University of Toronto, where he was honoured, I had the opportunity of a long conversation with him. We agreed that one of the tragedies in history was when Jewish Christian leaders, who led the Christian Church for the first few decades, were replaced almost totally by Gentile leaders. Let us not forget that all the Apostles were Jews, as was Jesus, Himself. Read Romans 11:11-24. The Rabbi and I rejoiced for the occasion of the Templeton Prize and the recognition of his work, but we wept over the disastrous chasm which opened up between Jews and Christians. Below the Rabbi’s photo is an example of that divide. In 4th century Antioch Christians were still worshipping with their Jewish brothers and sisters in the local synagogue. This three-dimensional model is in the museum of the Jewish diaspora located on the campus of the University in Tel Aviv.

Yours for restoration for all that is God’s will for His people,

David

Rabbi Lord Jacobovits, winner of the Templeton Prize in 1991.

Add caption....Chrysotom.....

Jews and Jewish-Christians prepare to worship at the Great Synagogue of Antioch, Syria, in the 4th century AD. Chrysostom, one of the fathers of the Church, reproves the Christians and demands that they separate from the Jews.

 

6 thoughts on “Thursday, July 20, 2017

  1. Thanks for the history lesson today David and thank God for the person and work of Rabbi Lord Jacobovits. God bless you and all the saints.

  2. Hi David, God continues to stretch out his healing hand upon your life. How we praise God for the miraculous journey of grace, healing, strength, endurance, hope and peace in your life during these past four years. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.

    Also praying for all who are fighting the fires here in British Columbia, for all the evacuees whose homes are under threat, and for all the financial help from Governments, to all who are coming from across Canada, individual and military, and those coming from other countries to assist, prayer for all organiztions and volunteers working in the front lines providing practical help and encouragement.
    Praying for “a cloud about the size of man’s hand”……that will contradict all weather reports…and cause a continuous down pour”…

    …..and while sin seems to be running rampant across our land.. am praying for :a latter rain” over all Canada resulting in a huge unmistakable spiritual awakening..that the Great God of Heaven will should forth his hand in a power demonstration of ….spiritual rain..resulting in a great spiritual cleansing and return to the Lord…

    Read through Ezra…what a powerful demonstration of God’s favour and blessing upon his people…not only freeing them from captivity…but restoring the Temple in Jerusalem…and Government of their day…paying the way….God is faithful…

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