The Blame Game

 

While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly. And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, of the sons of Elam, addressed Ezra: “We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land, but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this. Therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God, and let it be done according to the Law. Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.” Then Ezra arose and made the leading priests and Levites and all Israel take an oath that they would do as had been said. So they took the oath. (Ezra 10:1–5 ESV).

 

The "blame game" is a destructive cycle where individuals or groups point fingers and shift responsibility for mistakes or failures, avoiding accountability by refusing to admit their own role and instead blaming others or external factors to protect themselves from negative consequences, often leading to damaged relationships and stalled problem-solving. It's a common pattern in personal relationships, workplaces, and politics, characterized by finger-pointing and mutual recrimination rather than seeking constructive solutions, and it's driven by a fear of consequences and a desire to regain control in chaotic situations. 

 

Healing doesn’t begin until people who have done wrong take responsibility for their actions. The people of God wanted to be healed of their rebellion of intermarrying with other peoples and adopting their gods and detestable practices. Ezra prayed for God’s forgiveness, and the people needed to do their part in the reconciliation process.

 

The people gathered around and wept. They admitted they had rejected God’s command to remain holy. They confessed their sin to Ezra and to God. In the pouring rain, Ezra demanded that the Israelites get right with God. They took measures to confess their sins, separate from the foreign families and practices, and submit to doing God’s will. This was not without great pain. Families were ripped apart. But at this time in Israel’s history it was the way to make things right.

 

When we confess, God forgives us. Then change can begin. If we want change in our personal life, our family, our nation, it must begin with confession of our sin. The Scripture is very clear: “… if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV).

 

The Answer to Discouragement

After these things had been done, the officials approached me and said, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, from the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. For they have taken some of their daughters to be wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands. And in this faithlessness the hand of the officials and chief men has been foremost.” As soon as I heard this, I tore my garment and my cloak and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat appalled. Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the faithlessness of the returned exiles, gathered around me while I sat appalled until the evening sacrifice. And at the evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garment and my cloak torn, and fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God. (Ezra 9:1–5 ESV).

 

Discouragement is common, especially in our present culture. Evil disguises itself as good; lies are more common than truth; and hatred has replaced love. This is something of the context of our reading today. The leaders of Israel approached Ezra with bad news. While building God’s house, Israel was still following their own desires. Everyone was guilty. The leaders and officials led the way in unfaithful living. Discouraged, Ezra likely wanted to walk away after all the hard work he had done. But he chose a better way: He “fell on [his] knees … and prayed.”

 

First, Ezra admitted his sins and the sins of the people. Then he recounted the Lord’s faithfulness and confessed that the people had failed to apply God’s Word to their daily lives as holy people of the Lord. They had mixed with the people around them and accepted their “detestable practices”—that is, the worship of other gods and the immorality that went with it: perverse sexual relations, child sacrifice, occult practices, and more (cf. Leviticus 18-20; Deuteronomy 7:3-4; 18:9-13). Ezra also appealed to God’s character: “Lord, the God of Israel, you are righteous!” Ezra prayed that the Lord would not toss them aside but instead redeem them for his purposes.

 

When we confess our sins, Jesus doesn’t toss us aside or throw us out like trash. He is willing to forgive us and redeem us to live life on his terms and by his Spirit’s power. If you are feeling discouraged or hopeless read 2 Corinthians 4:1-18… this is the truth that will break the chains of helplessness!

  

Last Letters

“And I, Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers in the province Beyond the River: Whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, requires of you, let it be done with all diligence, up to 7,500 pounds of silver, 600 bushels of wheat, 600 gallons of wine, 600 gallons of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. Whatever is decreed by the God of heaven, let it be done in full for the house of the God of heaven, lest his wrath be against the realm of the king and his sons. We also notify you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on anyone of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the doorkeepers, the temple servants, or other servants of this house of God. And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people in the province Beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God. And those who do not know them, you shall teach. Whoever will not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be strictly executed on him, whether for death or for banishment or for confiscation of his goods or for imprisonment.” [Ezra said] Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the LORD that is in Jerusalem, and who extended to me his steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty officers. I took courage, for the hand of the LORD my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.” (Ezra 7:21–28 ESV).

 

Recently I updated what I have called my “last letters.” I have been told I am a bit morbid in my practice of writing these “last letters” to my family. My intention is not to be morbid, but rather to exercise some wisdom in doing all I can to leave my loved ones with no doubt of my love for them. My hope is that it will be an encouragement to each of them. We have regular conversations, but death can come as such a surprise even during a prolonged illness. These are in no way a reflection of anything I’ve done, rather they are words of affirmation of who they are and who God is in their life. They are not an “obituary” but one more conversation to encourage them to live a life full of the joy and grace God desires for them.

 

We see that at times in the Scripture. The last words about the apostle Paul are extraordinary. Acts 28:31 declares, “He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!” Paul knew his authority came straight from Jesus. In a similar way, Ezra was authorized by King Artaxerxes to assess and reestablish the people of Israel according to the law of God. Our reading today describes how God worked through the king to bring God’s people into a new situation to serve him. In exile, the freedom of the Israelites was restricted. But Ezra reported to Israel that their freedom to worship was now wide open. They could renew the kind of worship that reflected how God had saved them, freed them, and thus called for their obedience. King Artaxerxes and Ezra both knew they were God’s instruments. They both carried out their God-given roles for his purposes. The king gave Ezra the full protection of his empire to reaffirm Israel’s identity in the one true God, who rules over the kings of the world.

 

By “the God of heaven,” you are authorized to live an unhindered life of boldness and freedom. You are a letter of God’s grace and mercy! You have the full backing of the Lord, who promises to “be with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28: 20). Live the unhindered life today!

  

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Tree

 

Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub, son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth, son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest— this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the LORD, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him. And there went up also to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king, some of the people of Israel, and some of the priests and Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple servants. And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. (Ezra 7:1–10 ESV).

 

"An apple doesn't fall far from the tree" is an idiom meaning a child often shares similar traits, behaviors, or characteristics with their parents, whether good or bad, much like an apple stays close to the tree it fell from. It suggests hereditary similarities in personality, talent, or even negative habits, often used to highlight a child's resemblance to a parent's qualities. In some cases, these similarities lead a child to follow in the career of their parents as well.

 

While that was not true for me or my children as far as a career was concerned, there can be no doubt that I have many of the same characteristics as my father; and my sons have many of mine. Some of those inherited traits are good, and some not so good!

 

In our reading today we see this truth confirmed in Ezra. He followed his father Seraiah in the family of priests. It was his family’s calling to lead God’s people into the presence of God. It was important that Ezra understood how he got into the family business. His line went back many generations to Aaron, the chief priest during the time of Moses. Ezra did not strike out on his own to become a priest between God and his people. He was born into the position. He was part of the long history of God’s faithfulness in providing holy leadership for a reconstituted people. God’s business was Ezra’s family business, and Ezra was employed by God alone.

 

As children of God, you and I are brought into the family of God by our high priest, Jesus Christ. The Bible reminds us, “We have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus, the Son of God” (Hebrews 4:14). We are born into the family business of blessing, mercy, forgiveness, and love. As God’s dearly loved children, our salvation is provided not because we are great people. It was God’s business to make salvation work. While we certainly are not “duplicates” of Jesus, we have been given the spiritual traits of this great heavenly priesthood. What a great privilege to follow in those steps!

 

The Final Step

 

Then, according to the word sent by Darius the king, Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates did with all diligence what Darius the king had ordered. And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia; and this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. (Ezra 6:13–16 ESV).

 

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, also known as the Tower of Pisa or ‘Torre pendente di Pisa’ in Italian, is one of the world’s most famous buildings due to its leaning stance, which leaves it forever appearing to be toppling over. It took 344 years to complete, construction started in 1173, and was completed in 1372, making the total time of construction nearly 200 years. In contrast, it took a mere two years and two months to complete the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. The tilt of the Tower of Pisa was noticeable as workers built the second floor. The lean was caused by shallow foundations and unstable subsoil. Engineers working on the tower in later years built upper floors with one side shorter than the other to compensate. This means the structure is curved as well as tilting! Yet it is celebrated as one of the most unique and interesting structures of the world.

 

Returning to the construction project facing Ezra and Nehemiah we find it took 20 years to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. The people had fought delays and enemy accusations. They had endured exile. They worked under challenging conditions and stressful situations. But they built the house of God. Worship was at stake. God wanted a place to dwell with his people again. Our reading today recounts the final step in the completion of this project: they “…celebrated with joy” (v. 13).

 

The temple’s completion marked a new beginning for God’s people who had lived in exile in a foreign land. They were finally home. God was faithful, and his Word gave them confidence and stamina. When the work was done, there was just one more thing to do—worship! The people spent seven days in celebration and worship. They realized that the work was done not because they were great builders. Everything was done by the strong arm and constant care of the Lord. Their complete joy centered on worshiping the Lord.

 

The Lord Jesus built salvation for us. He came into our broken world. He lived as a human being, just as us, he embraced all of the same pain and limits as we do. He died on a cross to bring us access to the Father. He rose from the grave, putting death to death. Then he returned to heaven to prepare a place for us in the new heaven and earth, where all of life will be worship in God’s presence forever.

 

Shouldn’t this finished work of grace and forgiveness prompt us to worship in awe?

After all, that is the final step in the process!

 

The Hidden Messages of God

 

[King Darius said] “Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and your associates the governors who are in the province Beyond the River, keep away. Let the work on this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site. Moreover, I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God. The cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province from Beyond the River. And whatever is needed—bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests at Jerusalem require—let that be given to them day by day without fail, that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons. Also I make a decree that if anyone alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of his house, and he shall be impaled on it, and his house shall be made a dunghill. May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who shall put out a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God that is in Jerusalem. I Darius make a decree; let it be done with all diligence.” (Ezra 6:6–12 ESV).

 

We need a bit of context preceding our reading today. King Cyrus had made a little-known decree allowing Israel to rebuild their temple to the Lord (cf. Ezra 1:2-4). Darius, the next king, helped the people continue the work of God. Tattenai, the local governor, wanted strong evidence to support Israel’s rebuilding of the temple. Darius found the message written by Cyrus, who had wanted it known that he was picked by God to help build the Lord’s new temple. Cyrus had even laid out specific instructions to follow. So, Darius declared, “Do not interfere with the work on this temple of God.” The Lord used these kings for his purpose. A little hidden scroll encouraged the people to see that God wanted his plan to go forward.

 

Have often found the clear message of God in the least likely of places. Often it is only when we look back and evaluate all the circumstances of our journey do we get a clear picture. Just yesterday I went to the cariologist because of some issues that were recurring and concerning. I don’t have many answers yet. He has ordered a series of tests to be done to eliminate the most likely culprit. So far I’ve only done one of those tests with results to follow. More will be scheduled in the coming days, but until then, I am reminded of the simple truth that God already has the answers. While I would like to know too, my call from Him is to simply trust. He’s provided all I need. For now the answers remain hidden.

 

These “hidden messages” can come out and encourage or warn us. An old letter found in a drawer can bring help just when you need it. A call from a friend can come when you need a listening ear. A word from God’s story can remind you that he will always be with you. Keep your eyes and heart open for God’s messages of love and encouragement to you today. He will never fail you or forsake you (cf. Deuteronomy 31:6).

The Unwritten Rules

 

At the same time Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and their associates came to them and spoke to them thus: “Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?” They also asked them this: “What are the names of the men who are building this building?” But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until the report should reach Darius and then an answer be returned by letter concerning it. (Ezra 5:3–5 ESV).

 

Have you ever been confronted with “unwritten rules” in the church. Throughout history it is a well-known fact that having a reserved pew in church was not all that uncommon. So much so that in the 19^th Century, people would pay to rent their seat to ensure that they had a place to sit every week. While the practice of renting a bench to sit on is no longer practiced, in some congregations it is almost an unwritten rule that everyone tends to sit in the same place week after week. And when this pattern is disrupted, it is almost as though you feel you have broken one of God’s commandments!

 

There were unwritten rules in the region around Israel too, as God’s people rebuilt their temple to the Lord. The neighboring communities thought the rebuilding should stop. They wrote a letter to King Darius, and they were sure the king would see things their way.

 

In the meantime, the Israelites stood their ground, knowing Cyrus had given them permission earlier. They reaffirmed their identity first as God’s people: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth…” In addition, they knew they had been exiled because of their disobedience to God. But now they had permission from King Cyrus to rebuild God’s temple.

 

Today we are authorized to be the witnesses of Jesus in the world. Our identity is in the risen Lord, who is building his kingdom in us, through us, and around us. And by his authority we will build his kingdom by serving him in this world.