Jesus in the Old Testament, Ezra

Jesus in Ezra

Jesus said in John 5:39.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,”

We have gone through The Torah, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, and 1 & 2 Chronicles. We can clearly see Jesus in all these Books. This brings us to Ezra. If you have your Bibles, turn to Ezra. I will wait. Just joking folks. Truth is though, Ezra is not one of those Books that are on the tip of People’s Tongues. You rarely hear someone quote from it. Let’s look at it a bit closer today.

We begin in Ezra some 70 years after the Captivity of God’s People began and long since the destruction of the Temple and all in it.

“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing:

“Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem. And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.”

Cyrus issued a proclamation; and a Company of some of God’s People volunteered, led by Zerubbabel. They accomplish the rebuilding of the Altar, even offer Sacrifices, and begin to Construct a new Temple.

Sometime later we see Ezra, the Scribe, lead a second Company of People back to Jerusalem, bringing the Golden Vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had stolen from the Temple when it was destroyed. He is appointed by the King and becomes a Priest.

After the Return, Rebuild, and all is Completed, Ezra finds out about Interracial Marriages. In Ezra 9 we read this.

“After these things had been done, the officials approached me and said, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, from the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. For they have taken some of their daughters to be wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands. And in this faithlessness the hand of the officials and chief men has been foremost.” As soon as I heard this, I tore my garment and my cloak and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat appalled.”

This was a direct violation of God’s Command to “come out and be separate.” He Prays for the People and for their Sin and calls the People to Repentance. They did this and even put away their Foreign Wives. Which brings us to the Book of Nehemiah.

Why did it take so long to complete what God Called Cyrus to do? Opposition from the World. He found Opposition on three fronts. First was the opposition of the Pessimists. You can read about this in Ezra 3. Second, was an attempt to sabotage the Work of God by claiming to be with God. See Ezra 4. The Third was a call to Compromise.

Look at True Faith vs Religion today. We have those who do not believe and do not want you spreading the Truth, AKA to them, “Lies, Hate, and Ignorance” to the Masses. Second, you have those who Claim to be coming in the Name of Christ, AKA ANY Church, Faith, or Religion that does NOT follow The Word of God dot and title. In other words, removing Christ as the Only Way, Truth, and Life. Denouncing Sin as Evil, and The Truth as Good. Openly denouncing God Himself and His Sovereignty.

Then, of course, you have those who call for Compromise. In the name of compassion. Think about Homosexuality. Think about Abortion. Think in the name of Inclusion.

However, God is the same Yesterday Today and Forevermore. We can take an example from the Book of Ezra on how to deal with these People. First, those who do not believe? Should we share the Truth with them? Of course. However, if they do not receive it, and some just will not, we are not to get in their Face, or even argue with them. Jesus Himself put it this way when sending those out to Preach the Good News.

“And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”” {Mark 6:11}

Go on. Continue. Do not be distracted or stopped. You are dealing with those who cannot even hear what you are saying. No matter how much you try. No matter how much you want them to. No matter how long you stay there Preaching, they will NEVER hear you. Why?

“Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”” {John 8:42-47}

Some people will NEVER hear you. Why? “The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” So just simply continue on and do what you know God Called you to do.

Those that Pretend to be a “Christian,” yet compromise the Word of God constantly? They are not truly with you.

““You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we alone will build to the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”” {Ezra 4:3}

Simply put, as Jesus said,

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” {Matthew 12:30}

As long as you are following God’s Word, His Way, and in Prayer you ask the Holy Spirit to guide your steps, you are good. You do not need to even listen to any kind of “Alternative Views.” There are no “Alternative Views” that are acceptable to God. There is NO GRAY AREA. Only Black and White, and sometimes Red. There is no other Gospel. No other Truth. No Other Way. No other Life. Do not be fooled. Do not Compromise the Truth. Even in the name of compassion.

This leads us to those that insist that we compromise our views and they usually attempt to use the concept of compassion to persuade us. They say things like this.

“What is possibly wrong with two people who are in love and want nothing more than to be accepted for who they are? They are good people. They give to Charities, help out in Food Kitchens. They even attend a Church that is more open-minded than you. They are just different than you. Besides all that, seriously think about this, what difference does it make to you who they love anyway? How does that affect you or your Marriage? Answer? It doesn’t. Right? Come on, It’s 2019. It is the Law. It is Reality. Homosexuality is here to stay. If you cannot accept that then you have a problem. You are hateful, judgemental, and completely against the whole concept of Jesus and a loving God.”

What does God’s Word say? Leviticus 18:1-5, 22-24, 29, Leviticus 20:13, Ezekiel 16:49-51, Romans 1:18-32, just to name a few. Sorry. What is more Compassionate? Warning someone to stay away from the Fire so they do not get burned? Or stand by silently and watch them walk right into it because they feel that they will be ok? I submit to you, warning them is far more compassionate.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord.