Friday, May 2, 2008
Ezra 5:1-5
5:1 Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.
At the same time Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and their associates came to them and spoke to them thus: “Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?” They also asked them this: “What are the names of the men who are building this building?” But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until the report should reach Darius and then an answer be returned by letter concerning it. (ESV)
by Linda Harris
As the Jews gradually returned to Jerusalem, they never regained a king. In the days of Samuel, when they demanded a king, God reluctantly agreed. Many of their kings led them into idol worship. Thus, from the time of their return on, foreign kings ruled over God’s people. “But God had his eye on the leaders of the Jews, and the work wasn’t stopped until a report could reach Darius and an official reply be returned” (Ezra 5:5, MSG). Even though Darius seemed to be in control, God watched over the situation.
Do you have a boss, a teacher, or a leader who seems to run your life? No matter whether that person makes life miserable or tolerable, God remains the one who is in control. Lift those circumstances to God and let them rest in his hand.
Copyright Information
Daily Bible Meditations are taken from The Helping Hand,a Sabbath School student quarterly for youth and adults. Copyright © 2008, Seventh Day Baptist Board of Christian Education, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked "ESV" are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service .
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