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Let's Hang the Gates! (part 1 of 2) David Beltz For the first time in recent memory, Traders Point is conducting three adult classes on Old Testament study. Studies in Isaiah, Exodus and Nehemiah have been found to have many valuable lessons for us as New Testament Christians. Ed Hill and Nathan Rentschler have been teaching the Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther class. We are currently midway through our study on Nehemiah while completing the book of Ezra just a short time ago. These three books are studied together as the last historical books in the Old Testament. The time period is 606-536 BC as the Israelites are being given their freedom from Babylonian captivity by a decree of Cyrus, king of Persia. We see the influence of the will of God throughout this time as it was He who “stirred up the spirit of Cyrus”. The fall of Babylon ends the 70 years the Jews (Judah) had been held captive. The book of Ezra tells primarily of the first two of three returns of the Jews to their homeland from Babylon. The first historical period covers chapters 1-6, a twenty year period during which Zerubbabel, the Governor of Judah, leads a return of some 50,000 of God’s people back to their homes in Judah in order to rebuild the temple and the walls of the city. Although this is a small amount compared to the estimated 1-3 million Jewish population, this supposes that only the most committed were willing to leave a relatively comfortable life in Babylon, walk 900 miles and rebuild a destroyed temple and city. After the people returned to Jerusalem, they were zealous for the Lord, offering sacrifices morning and evening upon the altar they had built. By the second year, the foundation of the temple had been laid and they all sang together and gave praises to the Lord. It wasn’t long, though, before their adversaries troubled them in their efforts, and in the fourth chapter, we read that the work had stopped. This is typical for the Lord’s people today, as well. When our efforts to serve God are zealous and determined, when God’s people will not compromise His Word, Satan will rage and the gates of hell will fight against the way of truth. The Samaritans anguished God’s people to the point that their once enthusiastic efforts to see the building of the temple completed had now diminished to virtually nothing. But God sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to stir Zerubbabel and the people to resumption of their duty. The work on the temple resumed. It was finally completed, as we read of in the sixth chapter of Ezra, and the dedication of the temple was made with joy, and the Passover was observed. Again we see a sixty year period when no further progress was recorded. Some of this time is that which the book of Esther records but it is not until the second historical period of Ezra, chapters 7-10 do we see more progress being made, especially that of a spiritual nature of the people themselves. Can we see ourselves in this story of Ezra, Nehemiah and the people of Israel as they struggle against their own apathy and against the wiles of the devil? We may purpose in our hearts to complete some goal or some great task that we want to do to encourage one another, but often stumbling blocks abound that seem to keep us from our intended objective. As we look at the final chapters of Ezra, we see a great spiritual awakening of the people, as Ezra is used by God to rebuild the people, both morally and spiritually
. . . continued next week
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