Ezra 5
King James Version
5 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
15 years later Haggai and Zechariah came ot the Jews in the name of the Lord
2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
Once Zerubbabel and Jeshua heard the word from the Lord through Haggai and Zechariah they took action to rebuild the temple after 15 years.
3 At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?
Tatnai saw them building and asked them who gave them permission to build? Tatnai was doing his job as a government worker. Shethatboznai and others were with Tatnai. There are people that have a right to question what we are doing by law. We are to respond to them giving them the right to question us.
4 Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?
Tatnai also asked them for specific names of the people authorized to build. As believers, we must obey the law that will allow us to work in harmony with the government. God wants our behavior to supersede in this world so that we represent him in business.
5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.
God kept his eye on what was going on and worked with the government to give them the time they needed to get the job done. God knows how to help his people stay within the government'ss guidelines. We do not respond like the world. We respond in the world the godly way. We live in this world according to doing what is right.
6 The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:
7 They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace.
8 Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.
9 Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?
10 We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.
11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.
12 But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.
13 But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.
14 And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
Zerubbabel's name was also known as Shesbazzar.
15 And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.
16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.
17 Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
After questioning the men of God, the men who had the right to ask the questions, wrote a letter to find out the truth of what the men of God stated. Every word of the dialogue was true.
It was the duty of the governor of the king, to document the building's permit.
As believers, we are to comply with the orders of the world. God gave the command to rebuild. However, God knows the protocols to get the job done smoothly. When God is on our side the government must comply with what is right. God will make sure that guidelines are followed correctly.
Many times believers think that they are above the law. We are to comply with the laws that are good.
Men must not make laws that are not in favor of the good of all people.
My Song In A Minute
We live in this world
and we must follow directions
God sees what is going on
we have his protection
As believers, we must show
that our God is real
when we do what right
God is revealed
At home or on or jobs
we must stand out
by doing what is good
and leave no room for doubt
It may not be easy
Sometimes it gets hard
but this is the only way
The world will see our God
STAND OUT BY DOING GOOD- STAND OUT BY DOING RIGHT
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