Jim emphasizes that the rebuilding of God's house in Jerusalem, as described in Ezra, is initiated solely by God's sovereign work. The Lord stirred Cyrus's spirit to proclaim the return of the exiled Israelites, highlighting that God's initiative is central. The people responded by gathering as one, rebuilding the altar, and observing the Feast of Tabernacles, symbolizing their renewed relationship with God. Jim stresses that hearing God's word must lead to action—responding and moving forward—rather than mere listening. He illustrates that God's call is rooted in His kingship and sovereignty, and that we must recognize who is speaking to us—our King and Lord. The response of the people varied; some responded obediently, while others were captivated by prosperity and religion, which hindered their obedience. Jim highlights the importance of the altar as a symbol of judgment and offering, emphasizing that our daily sacrifice is rooted in Christ's work—being bronzed through judgment and offering ourselves to God. Observing the Feast of Tabernacles reminds believers of God's provision and the hope of future harvest, symbolizing the full realization of God's glory. Ultimately, Jim encourages believers to respond to God's call, rebuild the altar, and walk in daily obedience, trusting that God begins and completes His work in us.
The Lord initiates the work of rebuilding His house, not man.
People respond by gathering, rebuilding the altar, and observing God's feasts.
Hearing God's word must lead to action—obedience and movement.
Recognize God's sovereignty and kingship when He speaks.
Some respond obediently; others are captivated by prosperity and religion.
The altar symbolizes judgment and offering; our daily sacrifice is rooted in Christ.
Feast of Tabernacles celebrates God's provision and future harvest, symbolizing hope.
Believers are called to respond, rebuild, and walk in obedience, trusting God's work in us.
10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. 23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. 24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
1 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 13 Thou shalt not kill. 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 15 Thou shalt not steal. 16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.