Rebuilding for the Lord

Well ladies, we are in the 15th book of the Bible now; Ezra. What better way to start a Sunday than to learn of the return of some of the Jewish exile and the beginning of rebuilding the ruined temple while we ourselves are seeing the return of many and the rebuilding of Oak Hill. As we will see later in the chapter they was hindered by enemies, we to may be hindered but we are to remain strong.

In Cyrus' first year as King of Persia, he made a proclamation that said God had charged him to build Him a house in Jerusalem. So he sent the Israelites who had been held captive by Nebuchadnezar in Babylon to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. All of them together was 42,360 people, along with 7,337 maids and servants, 200 singers, and their animals. What a sight that must of been.

As the foundation was laid, musical instruments was playing and they sang together praises and thanks to the Lord, "because He is good, for His mercy endureth forever toward Israel." (3:11) The older men who had seen the first house wept with loud voices and many shouted with joy. Can you just imagine how they felt? Their hearts must of been overflowing with joy and happiness.

Our pastor has preached the last two Sundays on the church (Ekklesia). We have learned that the building is not the church but we the people are the church. Our bodies are the temple of God. When the Israelites was taken into captivity and the temple destroyed, many kept the faith. In the past couple of months, we have seen the devastation of tornadoes all around us. Church buildings was destroyed but the church (people) remained strong. They met in borrowed buildings and outside to sing praises and to worship God.

As our reading of the rebuilding of the temple co-insides with Pastor Chris' message of the church; I wonder, is God telling us, Oak Hill, to remain strong in our faith and to rebuild our own temple (body)?