SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
EZRA 6: 13-22
INTRODUCTION:
In my life time, I have experienced the thrill of a finished church building project. There is much that goes into a building project, legal matters such as contracts with contractors and sub contractors , permits, all designed for the completion of a building project. Then, there are the naysayers and obstructionist objecting to the building project. Such has been the case for those who have completed the building project in our lesson.
1 THE PEOPLE FINISH AND REJOICE (EZRA 6: 13-16)
Having endured obstacles, the people rejoiced, worship is now reinstituted. The temple is completed because God touched the hearts of unbelieving kings. God’s spirit initiated the building project, he guided their hands to it’s completion. It was the house of the Lords, they would dedicate it to God.
2 THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL OFFER SACRIFICES (vv. 17-18)
The children of Israel sung shouted and brought an offering. They gave time, talent and sacrifices. They followed what was written in the books of Moses. They offered sin sacrifices, the blood of bulls, rams, lambs and goats.
3 THE FEAST CELEBRATED (vv. 19-22)
This celebration is considered a second exodus. They have been delivered from captivity. The Passover celebrated by the Hebrew people
is an example of divine intervention in the life of God’s people. The temple dedication occurred just before Passover. The Lord had blessed them to complete the task, they rejoiced and rededicated their lives to God.
CONCLUSION:
There is nothing more fulfilling than to complete a building project, to finish the task, to arrive at the light of the end of the metaphorical tunnel.
The Jewish nation had come through captivity, exiled and now, allowed to return to rebuild, reestablish and restore.
As life will often destroy the temple of our souls, we are rebuilt that we may have the freedom to worship our Lord and savior Jesus Christ with a clean temple. It is then that we can celebrate the passing over of the difficulties of sin and temptation.
“CELEBRATE PASSOVER LIBERATION”
Rev. Johnny H. Eskridge