Carrying Precious Treasures In A Dangerous Land.
Ezra 8:21
21Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
It is often the case that we overlook the great spiritual nuggets that are contained in the Old Testament. We devote most of our study time to the Gospels, or to the Epistles. To neglect the Old Testament is very limiting to the growth of the Christian. God speaks to us today through the applications set forth in His Word, His entire Word.
2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
We fight among ourselves as Christians concerning the Law of Moses. Some say that we have no part with the law and refuse to even study the Old Testament scriptures as having any application to us in this day. My friend even Paul, the great author in the New Testament, reminds us that without the law we have no understanding of sin. To say that the law does not apply today is to say that the 10 commandments do not apply. My brethren we are not judged by the law, we have been given the imputed righteousness of our Savior, Jesus Christ. But we can not live haphazardly and not observe the commandments of God!
In the Old Testament we find countless records of God’s instruction to fallen man. We can see ourselves in the lives and circumstances of the children of Israel. Such is the case with a man named Ezra and his quest to re-establish the house, and worship, of God after years of captivity in the hands of the Babalonyians.
After years of exile the Lord has, in mercy, released the people through the new King. Not only have they been delivered, they have been given the challenge to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. They were also given the utensils of God that were taken in the captivity so that the worship of God could begin again in the land he had given unto Israel. We pick up the story just as Ezra and the first men to come back into Israel are about to pass through some dangerous territory. For the Lord has indeed provided us too great treasures that we are to bear through this dangerous world. The treasures that the Lord has given us must be guarded carefully for Satin seeks to destroy the joy and victory of the Christian by stealing our heavenly treasures that have been entrusted to us. If the Enemy should manage to steal those treasures we certainly will be of no use to our God and many will suffer the second death because we could not deliver the treasures to the Lord on His return.
Now let us look at Ezra 8:21-30 to learn how to
"Carrying precious Treasure In A Dangerous Land."
Substance Of The Lord: 8:21
KJV: Ezr 8:21
21Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
Ezra and people of Israel were overwhelmed with the responsibility of carrying the things of God, and His house, through dangerous lands in order to return them to the Lord. The way was long and filled with the pitfalls of this world. Each new land they must pass through held unknown perils, evil people, and things never imagined in the darkest dreams of night. The Nation had passed this way before, only then they were beaten, poor, and enslaved to the Babaloynian kings and under his protection. Now they were free from their bondage, rich in the Lord, entrusted with His treasures, and facing the return trip without the protection of an earthly power. Their natural instinct was to ask the King for soldiers to protect them from the enemy but they were ashamed, to ask for help would be a sign of weakness of faith in the God who had freed them. Realizing the magnitude of their circumstance they did the correct thing in turning to the Lord for guidance, Oh if we could only learn from Ezra.
Realizing Our Situation:
In our own power we can do no good thing concerning Holy matters, It must be done through the power of Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:13 We are as the third man on the crosses, he realized his position and knew he could not save himself, therefore he cried out to the one who could save him.
Resorting To Prayer:
When you seek direction from the Holy Ghost, and then wait for His reply, the journey will be made in His complete will. Notice I did not say the journey would be easy, for the way is hard, but I would rather face great peril knowing that I was in the will of God than to travel unmolested and have no assurance of His presence. The same man who cried out a desperate prayer for forgiveness received his answer immediately Luke 23:43. We must be in constant prayer for guidance and direction that we may make to our journey’s end.
Resting On God’s Promise:
Notice the prayer was not only for Ezra but it was for all of the people, all of the treasure, and especially the little ones who would have to make this long journey. They carried great treasure and they were prime targets for the highwaymen, but with the great treasure they carried armies certainly would engage them. The enemies’ presence would be strong and the tenderest place for him to strike would be in the homes. Once the people had received the answer to their prayers they rested on God’s promise and left the details up to Him. They set out for home knowing that they should be on guard against the enemy, but God would order their steps and He would deliver them safely.
Separated To The Lord: 8:24
KJV: Ezr 8:24
24Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,
After a time of fasting, seeking God in prayer, and receiving an answer, notice carefully that the very next trait needed to successfully carry the treasure of God through a dangerous land. It was not enough that the people had fasted, prayed, and been given direction but they had to be separated from the world in order to handle the things of God.
· Separated from the World:
Before attempting to carry the Holy things of God through the barren land notice that the Israelites separated themselves from the ways of their captors. We can not carry the Holy things of God in our lives along with the things of the world, we must be sanctified.
2 Corinthians 6:14
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
· Separated from Religion:
Notice that being of the Aaronic line did not automatically qualify everyone as worthy to carry the Lord’s treasure. Not all that are of the family walk separate from the world. Ezra selected twelve to represent the nation and those twelve did he set apart. Not everyone who belongs to church lives a life that would qualify him or her to carry the Holy Treasures of the Lord; we are instructed to separator ourselves from those.
2 Thessalonians 3:6
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
· Separated To God:
If we ever hope to reach home with our treasure in tact we must go even one step beyond being separated from the world and we must separate ourselves unto God! The Pharisee’s separated themselves from the sin of the world and even claimed to serve the Lord, yet they did not recognize Him as the Light of the world when He walked among them. We must be able to recognize the hand of God, the direction of the Holy Ghost, and the will of God as we walk this life in preparation for the life to come.
Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Sanctified By God:
KJV: Ezr 8:28
28And I said unto them, Ye are holy unto the LORD; the vessels are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering unto the LORD God of your fathers.
Those who were set apart for the handling of the Holy things of God’s treasures will get them home for they realize just what they have is precious. The most valuable treasure in the world is nothing in the hands of one whom cannot appreciate them.
Illustration (The Cock and the Jewel) Aesop’s Fables
A COCK, scratching for food for himself and his hens, found a precious stone and exclaimed: "If your owner had found thee, and not I, he would have taken thee up, and have set thee in thy first estate; but I have found thee for no purpose. I would rather have one barleycorn than all the jewels in the world."
Unfortunately, too many Christians are attempting to find their treasures on earth when, instead, they should be storing their treasures in Heaven!
· Holy are the treasures of God:
The things of the Temple had for years lain in the hands of the Babalonyians and had suffered unimaginable disgraces. To them they were no more than silver and gold but the Israelites new their significance and they revered the things of God. The treasures that the Lord have entrusted to us in this life are to be handled as precious silver and gold for we are the only ones who can truly understand their value. The greater treasures for us today are laid up in heaven and one day we shall get the treasures we are carrying this day home only to find greater ones awaiting.
· Holy are the Children of God:
Those who handle Holy things are indeed holy themselves, being sanctified by the grace of God. The Lord knows all who are His and through Him we are made a vessel of honor that He can use as stewards of His treasure, giving unto them that seek the Lord and building His Bride for the great marriage supper.
2 Timothy 2:19-21
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
Sure of The Call:
KJV: Ezr 8:31
31Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.
· Sure Of Their Destination: Ezra 8:31
Once all was ready those who were set to carry the Lord’s treasure set out sure of their destination and confident that they would be delivered safely. There was no question that the Lord had called Ezra to be a bearer of the Holy treasures of God. Ezra was deep in bondage in a foreign land enslaved by an evil king of the world. Even in his low condition Ezra was selected from among all of the exiles to serve God and he knew it was of God and not of himself. We too have been set free from the bondage of sin and out of service to the prince of this world and it was done all of God and not of ourselves. We have been called into the service of the King of Kings and we must have the assurance of that call to be of service unto him.
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
· Sure Of The Way:
The Lord had made it clear that Ezra was to rebuild the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. So emphatic was the direction of the Lord that even the way home had been set and Ezra knew it to be a dangerous road yet he knew that the Lord would see them safely home. No matter how far we may roam we never forget the way home. When we speak of going to that heavenly home we also know the way for Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the light." Better yet Ezra remembered what it was like to be home, and his heart ached to be once again in the land of his birth. So too does the new man that lives in me long to be home. I have not stood in this body in that great land but the Bible records that I have already been seen sitting in heavenly places (Ephesians). I have felt the joy of heaven flood my soul and I have seen with the eye of faith the hand of the Lord move in my life. I long for HOME!
· Sure Of The Destination:
There could be no doubt of the destination of the treasures of the Lord, Ezra knew he was going home! The great troop of people carrying the treasures of the Lord got up from the river and without hesitation set out for Jerusalem and the record states that God delivered them from the hand of the enemy. I am just as sure this day of my destination as Ezra. I know what the Lord has done for me and I believe that He will keep me and deliver me from the enemy that lies in wait along the way. Through the grace of God the treasure He has entrusted to me will make it home to find my eternal treasures waiting. What ever the reward I have waiting will be justly given according to the works done in this body from the moment of my conversion. I am not ashamed of my faith and as Paul stated in Timothy chapter 1:12
2Timothy 1:12
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Conclusion:
Scales of Judgment:
Ezra 8:33
Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest;...................
When the stewards of the Holy things of God came into the house of God they immediately gave an account of the treasures they had been entrusted with. The scales were before each one and there treasure then weighed before God. A careful inspection took place to make sure that nothing had been lost or compromised along the journey home. Everything was laid out for inspection before God in His House and so shall it be when we reach our Heavenly home. All that has been given unto us for safe guarding, sharing, or shouting will be laid out before our righteous Judge and nothing will be kept secret. All that the Believer has done in his body, since the moment of salvation, will be put on the scales at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:7
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
· Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord let us examine (Judge) ourselves and answer these questions:
· Are you sure of you calling? How can you travel a road not knowing you destination?
· Are you aware that you have been entrusted with Heavenly Treasures to carry through this life and into the next?
· Have you handled the Holy things of God un-worthily?
· Are you Set apart from the world?
· Are you Sanctified before God?
· Will your treasures stand before the fire of Judgment as gold or silver, or will they burn up as hay and stubble?
1 Corinthians 3:11
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Now is the day of commitment! Now is the time to sanctify yourself unto the Lord and do His will?
