Rise And Shine

RISE AND SHINE (EZRA 5)

There’s a very inspiring poem titled “Somebody Else” I have kept for untold years:

“Somebody Else”

There is a clever young fellow named "Somebody Else",

there is nothing this fellow can't do.

He is busy from morning 'til way late at night, just substituting for you.

You're asked to do this, and asked to do that,

and what is the ready reply?

"Get somebody else, I'm too busy, he can do it much better than I!"

There's so much to do in our service,

so much and the workers so few,

And "Somebody else" is weary and worn,

just substituting for you!

So the next time you're asked to do something worthwhile,

come back with this ready reply.

If "Somebody else" can lend time and support,

you can bet your last dime, so can I.

There were three returns from Babylon to the land of Israel (in 538, 458, and 444 B.C.). The first return was led by Zerubbabel (Ezra 1-6; Hag.; Zech.) in 538 B.C., but their rebuilding plans grounded to a halt after 18 years in 520 B.C. in the second year of King Darius (Ezra 4:24).

What are we as God’s children to do in the years of expected oppression and opposition? Do you shirk from duty, scramble for safety or salvage the loss? Why are we to continually seek for opportunities to serve God in less than sparkling and scintillating days?

Prioritize with Purpose

1 Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a descendant of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. 2 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, helping them.

It’s been said:

“For where God built a church, there the devil would also build a chapel.” (Martin Luther)

“It's a fact of earthly life that when God opens the windows of heaven to bless us, the devil opens the doors of hell to blast us. When God begins moving, the devil fires up all his artillery.” (Adrian Rogers)

“There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan.” (C.S. Lewis)

“God always votes for us and Satan always votes against us, and then we are asked to vote to break the tie.”

It was Dwight L. Moody who said, “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And that which I can do, by the grace of God, I will do.”

The work of God in building the temple was left undone for a long time, around 15 years. Everybody was looking for leadership, looking at one another and looking for a cue. There was no ongoing dialogue, organized meeting nor outside help. Inaction, indifference and intimidation were the order of the day.

At least four men, however, were inspired to take the lead to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem - Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak. Haggai and Zechariah were prophets. Their names reappear in the next chapter (6:14). What was unique about their involvement? First, Haggai and Zechariah were prophets with books under their name. The prophets were to lead. They did not hold back from speaking God’s word. Second, prophets appear for the first time in the book. They were uninvolved previously. Third, they were giants of the faith, so they took the biggest risks.

Bible Knowledge Commentary added, “Haggai prophesied from August to December 520 8.c., and Zechariah prophesied for two years beginning in October-November 520.” They were contemporaries as they locked hands to implore and inspire the Jews to overcome the fear of the unknown, the unexpected and the unforeseen. Haggai kick-started the job for five months and Zechariah kept at it for two full years.

Alongside, Zerubbabel the governor (Hag 2:2) and Joshua the leader were inspired to restart the building project after it was abandoned 15 years ago. They had to motivate people who had lost their passion, purpose and prospects. The years passed by sourly and sadly, strangely and stressfully, slowly and surely, but time did not dim Zerubbabel and Joshua’s interest, dull their senses nor dash their hopes. The leaders had to sort out their political difficulties with neighbors, the practical danger of Jews and their personal determination as leaders.

Proceed with Prudence

3 At that time Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates went to them and asked, "Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?" 4 They also asked, "What are the names of the men constructing this building?" 5 But the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received. 6 This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates, the officials of Trans-Euphrates, sent to King Darius. 7 The report they sent him read as follows: To King Darius: Cordial greetings. 8 The king should know that we went to the district of Judah, to the temple of the great God. The people are building it with large stones and placing the timbers in the walls. The work is being carried on with diligence and is making rapid progress under their direction.