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On the fourteenth day of the first month, the exiles celebrated the Passover. Ezra 6:19 (Ezra 4-6)

The exiles have returned and begun to rebuild the Temple. However, there are some distractions and obstacles.  In their absence, people from enemies areas resettled the lands of Judah and Israel. These new inhabitants aren’t willing to give up their newly acquired real estate. (These people would later be known as Samaritans.) In addition to this homesteading crisis, the exiles needed time to rebuild homes and plow and harvest crops. Amid these issues, work on the temple was halted for 15 years.

The enemy neighbors wrote a letter of protest to the government of Persia expressing their offense. They asked for all work to stop, but after a deep search of the archives of Babylon, a scroll was found commissioning the Temple reconstruction. Darius, the new leader of Persia, decreed that no one should interfere with the Jewish people upon threat of death. Further more, the Persian treasury would pay for all materials, laborers and sacrifices.

Once work resumed the Temple was completed in four years and The Passover was celebrated. This second Exodus out of bondage gave the remembrance a special, new meaning. What seemed like the end of hope and good fortune actually became a double blessing. What was intended to hinder became a beautiful conduit of restoration.

God is always weaving a miracle with your name on it!

Love,

Gretchen

Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake; some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the Heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, the the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:2-3 (Daniel 10-12)

During the restoration God continues to give His people comfort, encouragement and assurance. It is no coincidence that in the same year the foundation of the Temple was laid, Daniel, who is distinguished as a humble seeker of wisdom, receives a vision. God pulls the veil back between Heaven and earth and allows Daniel to see a great war being waged between superhuman beings. Daniel’s visions have been full of symbolism, double meaning and oblique references to the future, but at this time, there is a very strong parallel between Daniel’s prediction and the subsequent future.

The superhuman intelligences in Daniel’s sight are battling for power over mankind, good verses bad. God showed Daniel what goes on far beyond man’s comprehension. There are spirits protecting us and spirits bent on our destruction, but God has full knowledge of His universe and the power to decide the outcome.

While Daniel was overwhelmed with what he saw, he understood the profound occurrence he was shown; the resurrection of all who walked earth. The wise will enter into eternal glory, others will find themselves in everlasting shame and contempt.  Without a doubt, there is a time when all is final. The only unknown is…….time. Live ready, it’s the wise thing to do.

Love,

Gretchen

With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD, “He is good, His love to Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. Ezra 3:11 (Ezra 1-3)

The code of conquering for Assyria and Babylon was defeat, deport and scatter. When Cyrus, king of Persia enters Babylon, Daniel tells him of the writing on the wall and shares the fulfilled prophesies of Isaiah, who actually named Cyrus, and Jeremiah. This influenced him to adopted the policy of repatriation.

Chapter 2 is the accounting of leaders, clans, priests, Levites, workmen and Solomon’s servants who chose to leave the lives they built in Babylon and return to Judah. Approximately 50,000 Jews returned. A fraction of what they once were, this nation, cut back to its very roots, began growing a new vitality with an emphasis on purity. The returning tribe of Judah gathered a few extra people, from the other tribes, along their journey. As a result, the reference to All Israel is made in worship and prayer, and the New Testament still speaks of the twelve tribes.

Upon entering Jerusalem, the first order of business was to rebuild the altar according to Mosaic Law and celebrate The Feast of Tabernacles and other religious observances. As soon as this had been accomplished, the foundation for the Temple was laid. There were mixed feelings among the elder generation, for they remembered what Judah and its magnificent city had been. But because God is faithful and He always does what He says He will do, the Jews are free to once again become themselves. They are subject to Persia, but culturally/religiously they are being restored in God’s image, complete with a plan of salvation for the entire world, in other words, to bless all nations…….the original purpose of God’s covenant people.

Don’t ever under estimate the power of God’s renewal! His love endures forever! It is the most powerful force in the universe!

Love,

Gretchen 

You WILL find what you are looking for.

Jesus said to her, “Mary. ”She turned toward Him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).John 20:16 

He spoke her name and everything was right again!

“We build temples and churches, but will not worship in them; we hire spiritual advisers, but refuse to heed them; we buy Bibles, but will not read them; believing in God, we do not fear Him; acknowledging Christ, we neither follow nor obey Him. Only when we can no longer strive in the battle for earthly honors or material wealth, do we turn to the unseen but for more enduring things of life; and with ears deafened by the din of selfish war and cruel violence, and eyes blinded by the glare of passing pomp and folly, we strive to hear and see the things we have so long refused to consider.

The Shepherd

Excerpt from The Shepherd of the Hills, by Harold Bell Wright. 1907 E.W. Reynolds.

Blessings on this most precious of Days!

Gretchen

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10 (Daniel 6)

God’s Holiness and a king’s ego crossed paths and a righteous man was caught in the middle. Even though Babylon changed regents and Daniel has foretold of its end, he still holds a very powerful and authoritative place in government. He is known for his integrity and this apparently offends some colleagues with a more personal agenda. These men flatter King Darius by suggesting there be a period of thirty days praise and worship to himself alone. Anyone breaking this decree will suffer death. Darius took the bait and Daniel’s fate seemed sealed.

Knowing the peril he face, Daniel did same thing he did every other day of his life. He turned to God in prayer.  In an upstairs window, facing the earthly representation of God’s everlasting presence, Jerusalem, Daniel revealed his true character. Jerusalem was in ruins, but God said it would stand again. This God will either save him or take him into His loving arms, but Daniel would not pray to the king and He absolutely would bow himself to God knowing he was trapped. Strength would be needed to face the uncertain future, so from his knees he gathered his courage.

King Darius reluctantly placed Daniel in the lion’s den. After a sleepless night he found a well rested servant, for an angel had once again visited this brave and steadfast man and spared his life. However, the connivery of Daniel’s enemies cost them and their families their lives.

Circumstance didn’t determine Daniel’s actions. Compromise was never a viable option. Trust in God’s ways, without understanding. Works every time! And on this Saturday, remember, amazing things happened on the ‘dark’ side of a stone………

Love,

Gretchen

Give ear, O God, and hear, open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your Name. We do not make request of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy. Daniel 9:18 (Daniel 9)

As Babylon falls, Daniel reads Jeremiah’s prophecies and does the math. He realizes the time of captivity was nearing an end and restoration was nigh. Daniel is fully Hebrew/Jew as he prays a beautiful prayer of corporate and individual contrition.  He acknowledges their sins throughout the history of God’s covenant people and knows this alone brought judgement. Daniel asks for mercy, not because they deserve it after their suffering, but because God is Good.

Here again, scripture seems to confuse more than it answers, but while Daniel was praying, Gabriel came with news of Hope. Scholars argue the details, but the big picture is this:  Daniel was able to predict the rebuilding of Jerusalem, the coming of Jesus, the year and duration of His ministry and its end with His atoning death. A mysterious time (by man’s linear understanding) to the future, when evil will be bound forever, leaving Peace to rule the faithful, is still to come, but documented as part of this vision.

I once bought into the old adage, ‘The more you read/know, the less you understand’. Reading the ancient prophets can make one’s head spin, but as I have studied and prayed, I no longer accept this as true or even possible, because God doesn’t operate this way.  He brings order and rest to all He touches. Daniel saw a time of complete finality that was filled with great and everlasting Hope and Peace.  I don’t have to be a nuclear physicist to see the stars and I don’t have to do calculus to know that God has always had a miraculous plan to save me from my carnal self. He gave His only Son to die for me.  It’s as simple as 2+2=4. 

Friday’s Here, But Sunday’s Comin’!,

Gretchen

Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means. Daniel 5:17 (Daniel 5)

Belshazzar’s father, Nabonidus, retired to Arabia, leaving his son as co-regent of Babylon. This king in residence throws a wild party, complete with rowdy friends, intoxicating drinks and wild women. While the festivities were in full swing, the Persian army diverts the Euphrates River so they could walk along the dry river bed, into the impenetrable city uncontested. Most other kings of Babylon offered some degree of reverence to Daniel’s God. Nabonidus himself prays that his son will do likewise, but the arrogant offspring calls for the gold and silver goblets from the Temple of Jerusalem and defiles them by singing praises to the ‘gods’ of gold and silver.

A stubborn heart and an arrogant countenance are a fatal combination.  In the midst of the revelry a human like hand appears and writes on a wall.  Belshazzar did not know what the writing said, but he quickly grew sober. He sent for enchanters, astrologers and diviners but none could discern the meaning. The queen, probably Nebuchadnezzar’s widow, mentioned Daniel. The king offered him third in line to the throne and all the glory that goes with such power. Daniel informed the king such earthly entrapments held no appeal, but let the puffed up ruler know that in the history of Babylon there had been some great leaders, however, he, Belshazzar, had been weighed, found wanting and his hours were numbered. Indeed, before the night was over, Belshazzar was slain and Babylon’s short, but great, history ended.

Man cannot compensate for sin by making elaborate deals with God. Belshazzar felt he was doing God a favor by elevating Daniel’s status. Time has judged this man harshly, but where could unchecked arrogance take each one of us?…….. A humble and contrite heart is the perfect sacrifice to offer the The Ruler of All Nations.

Love,

Gretchen

He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power, all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. Daniel 7:14 (Daniel 7-8)

The story of Daniel has been paused for approximately 12 years, but Daniel has continued to grow in respect as a result of his integrity and interpretation of dreams. Many Babylonian leaders have come and gone and the empire is rapidly declining as Belshazzar, co-regent with his father, becomes on-site leader of Babylon. Late in his life Daniel has two apocalyptic dreams that left him disturbed.

Disclaimer:  I am not a theologian, but a conduit of Good News. Many scholars have studied, debated and expounded on these events and others of this nature. They do not always agree except in one regard: There is a very clear message of Hope, and Good News. 

Through Daniel’s interpretations we get a bird’s eye view of world history from Daniel to Christ, then into the beginnings of the early church and possible papal reign. Jesus’ favorite reference to Himself was “Son of Man.” The verse above is seen/heard coming from the Son of Man. Daniel knows evil brings its own destruction, but now he sees a time when evil will come to a complete, end making way for eternal peace and righteousness.

Think of all the ills you experience simply because evil is a part of life. Now, imagine a time when evil cannot reach you, it is shut out and will never find its way back in. Finally, take your mind to this hope and rest. This is the message of Daniel’s visions, hope in Christ alone.

Love,

Gretchen

Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD. Psalm 102:18  (Psalms 89, 102, 106, 123, 137)

As the exiles realize their sin, confess and remember the words of the prophets, they revisit their history and clearly see where they went wrong. They also begin reassembling for corporate worship. This is where we find these Psalms put to regular use. They are a combination of hymns, prayers, call and response worship sequences and part of an important liturgy that strengthened them in the overwhelming persecution and struggle they experienced among a pagan culture.

A favorite pass time of the captors was to taunt the worshipers as they praised and prayed to a God who allowed them to be wiped from the face of the earth, and become a laughing stock of a nation. The faith of Israel’s remnant knows their transgression, placing adoration in man made idols who’s only power was to separate them from God. In the face of this intended humiliation, they went to church and stated their faith in the God they knew from the past, in the present, and to the future. What determination they must have found in God’s promise for tomorrow.

Looking to the past, generation after generation walked farther from God’s disciplined law. The hindsight of Israel is 20/20. Now they turn to the future and make a plan to obey and honor God in such a way that all generations to come will know that He alone is Sovereign and worthy of Honor and Praise. What a challenge to each of us today. Put away what hinders and clear a path for those who come behind. May the footsteps they find lead straight to the Throne of God.

Love,

Gretchen

I will sing of the LORD’S great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. Psalm 89:1 (Psalm 44, 74, 79, 80, 85, 89)

There are ten Psalms written during the exile. These hymns focus on feelings of abandonment, separation, fear and frustration with the perceived absence and silence of God. God’s covenant nation has moved from earth’s greatest wealth and power to abject poverty, slavery and displacement. They became arrogant, thinking they were untouchable no matter their carelessness in worship to The One True God, but when the Temple, the symbol of God’s presence among them, came tumbling down at the hands of pagan Babylonians, these people realized their hope had always been solely in the LORD. Now, they might be lost forever, except….. His prophets preached of return and restoration.

These prayers of lament become verses of reflection and confession. All minds turn to who God is and what He did. Will He do these things again? Spiritual loneliness and separation from others, who had once worshiped The Almighty God, brought a longing to return to the God they once fully relied on and who proved again and again that He was loving and faithful. Harsh realization led to sincere confession, both nationally and individually, and finally, a single minded determination to trust God alone settled once again, in the heart of God’s people.

When those in exile realized they were alone, separated from God, they looked to His character and remembered His many cries to rule their hearts and provide all they needed. In these memories they found optimism and promise that what He said through His prophets would come true. So, they ran to the center of the universe, God’s relationship with man, and they remained for as long as it took……And it was worth the wait.

Love,

Gretchen