The Israelites can go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the LORD. The king of Persia declared it. The leaders of Judah want to do it. Even their neighbors are providing the finances for it. The Babylonian kingdom will even contribute to it. That’s because nothing is impossible with God.
King Cyrus himself brought out the articles that King Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the LORD's Temple in Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his own gods. Cyrus directed Mithredath, the treasurer of Persia, to count these items and present them to Sheshbazzar, the leader of the exiles returning to Judah. This is a list of the items that were returned: gold basins, 30; silver basins, 1,000; silver incense burners, 29; gold bowls, 30; silver bowls, 410; other items, 1,000. In all, there were 5,400 articles of gold and silver. Sheshbazzar brought all of these along when the exiles went from Babylon to Jerusalem. (Ezra 1:7-11 NLT)
The LORD wanted the Temple to be rebuilt, so the Temple was rebuilt. The LORD wants God’s Church to be built up as a temple of the Holy Spirit. So, we will be built up. We get to decide, then, whether we will join in the building project or not. Once again, Jesus provides the way to join the team.
And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4-5 NASB)
How about you? Do you come to Jesus, the living stone rejected by others? Are you a “living stone” being built up as a temple for the LORD? Are you ready to be on God’s team, ready to build others up? Are you prepared to build?
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