The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Ezra 6:8-9,
"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..."
In a turn of events, and consistent with how God does things from time to time, those who resisted what God wanted done in rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple found themselves actually having to provide for the very thing they were resisting!
When God is on the move, it is simply fascinating to observe how he does things. The local officials attempted to stop the rebuilding of the temple, but only found themselves opposing what God was doing. Not a recipe for success. I am reminded of what the wise rabbi, Gamaliel, had to say to his fellow members of the Sanhedrin when they arrested Jesus' apostles, "Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." Acts 5:38-39.
We read in Psalm 115:3, "Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him." When he does whatever it is that pleases him we find, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord." Proverbs 21:30.
"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..."
In a turn of events, and consistent with how God does things from time to time, those who resisted what God wanted done in rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple found themselves actually having to provide for the very thing they were resisting!
When God is on the move, it is simply fascinating to observe how he does things. The local officials attempted to stop the rebuilding of the temple, but only found themselves opposing what God was doing. Not a recipe for success. I am reminded of what the wise rabbi, Gamaliel, had to say to his fellow members of the Sanhedrin when they arrested Jesus' apostles, "Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." Acts 5:38-39.
We read in Psalm 115:3, "Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him." When he does whatever it is that pleases him we find, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord." Proverbs 21:30.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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