Today’s Tasting: Ezra 7-10
Ezra, a great teacher of the Law of Moses and the Prophets, and a second group returned to Jerusalem. Ezra restored the Law of God as the people relearned their native language and culture.
Nehemiah rebuilt the walls around Jerusalem as Ezra restored worship, the Laws of God, the Feast of the Lord, and the rituals of the Temple to a new generation of Jews. He taught the people how to gain moneys for purchasing animals for offerings on the altar in the Temple of God. The king even had Ezra appoint judges to judge the people and to teach them and others the “laws of your God.”
“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel…Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem, and who extended to me his steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty officers. I took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go with me” (Ezra 7:10, 27-28 ESV).
Ezra sent for the Levites, the priestly tribe and ministers for the house of God, to lead Israel. He announced a fast and to humble themselves before God, to seek him for a safe journey for the people and for their goods. “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him. So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty” (Ezra 8:22-23 ESV).
Ezra believed that God would restore His Word to His people and meet their spiritual and physical needs.
Today’s Nourishment: As “Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and do it,” how have you set your heart to live His Word? Is your heart set on things above or on things on this earth?
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2 ESV).
After Jesus spoke to Peter, saying, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me,” He continued to say, “For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.’”
In many places in scripture, mind and heart mean the same. The heart is the central part of the body, not speaking of the organ, but the spirit.
Some ways I set my mind:
- In my waking moments, I thank the Lord for the day and praise Him as my God.
- Within a short time, I read the Word of God and pray scriptures that honor God, honor my family, help me surrender my life, and honor others.
- Throughout the day, I commune with the Lord as I talk to Him and listen for His voice.
- I am retraining my mind to live with a thankful heart.
- I try to remember to “Rid my life of grudges nightly”.
How do you set your mind? Share with us and start the conversation.
Tomorrow’s Delight: Nehemiah 1-5
Carolyn Marlowe, CCLC
Gigi to six adorable grandchildren
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