Dedication of Joy

July 14, 2013

Lesson: Ezra 6:13–22

Key Verse: Ezra 6:16

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Introduction

How do we dedicate or set apart our worship and fellowship? Is it with joy (Ezra 6:16)? It is said of Jesus, the author of our faith, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross” (Heb. 12:2). This is the Christ whom we love, “in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; receiving the end (completion, fullness) of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8–9). We worship our Lord and fellowship with one another in love and in joy.

Jesus speaks of Himself as the true vine, saying, “I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me, ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). The Father is glorified in this relationship, that “ye bear much fruit.” If we keep our Lord’s commandments, we abide in His love, as the Son abides in the Father’s love.

Jesus then speaks of true joy, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:10–12). The celebration of worship and service, of fellowship and witness, comes from a heart filled with the love and joy of Christ our Savior.

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It Is Finished—Ezra 6:13-16

King Darius decreed that a search be made in the house of the rolls where Babylon kept her treasures. There they found that “Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid …let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.” Darius told the governor beyond the river to let the work of the house of God alone. Darius’ decree carried with it the punishment of death for those who shall alter his word. He called upon “God that hath caused his name to dwell there to destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem.”

The Lord would have His temple built. He would judge and move His people to continue to build that which they had turned from for their own benefit. He would use king Darius to hinder the surrounding nations from interfering. Thus “the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah.” They built it and “finished it according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.” The first cause of the return of His people and the building of the house of God was the Lord Himself. Then the secondary causes are mentioned to show us that the Lord was working all things together by use of the wicked kings. The means of the word of the Lord through His prophets are also mentioned to remind us that the Lord does make His will known among His people. The Church of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is being built by His word. The Lord builds His people according to His word. To try to build a church or moral kingdom to glorify God by our own schemes and philosophies is nothing more than foolish talk.

When the house of God was finished, “which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king, the children of Israel, including the priests and Levites, “kept the dedication of this house of God with joy.” Also, noted was the presence ‘the rest of the children of the captivity.” Here was God’s remnant, determined to be His people. We read in Isaiah 45:1, “Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two-leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut.” One hundred years later Cyrus would be used of the Lord to set His people free. Calvin wrote that “No one could have divined then that there was to be a man named Cyrus who would wage war with the Babylonians, would subdue such a powerful monarchy, and terminate the exile of the people of Israel. Does not this bare narrative, without any verbal embellishment, plainly show the things Isaiah recounts to be undoubted oracles of God, not the conjectures of a man?”

By divine will, the chosen remnant would return to Jerusalem. It is by divine promise that we are children of the household of God. The Father has chosen us in Christ “before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love; having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved (Christ)” (Eph. 1:4–6).

Discussion: What does it mean for us that the temple was finished?

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Praise and Joy—Ezra 6:17–18

Praise and joy are two of the hallmarks of Christian worship and service. Praise is the means by which we declare or testify to whom God is, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as revealed to us through His Scriptures. Joy testifies to that inward happiness which is part of the character of the new nature given by the Spirit. The dedication of the house of God included sacrifice and offerings, given by the tribes of Israel. Priests were set in place, along with the Levites, “for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.”

So should our worship and service be molded according to the written Word of God, to the glory of God alone, praising and serving Him with our lips as well as our walk? We worship and praise God that we might be pleasing in His sight. We are not to order worship that it might be pleasing in our sight. “That’s entertainment” is not the byword of our worship service, but “Our hearts have been warmed by His presence as the Spirit taught us from His word.” Truth, righteousness, and justice are the bywords of our service to Christ.

Discussion: How should we worship our Lord?

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Children of Israel—Ezra 6:19–22

The statement of Scripture, “the children of the captivity kept the Passover,” is a good commentary of the spirit of the Christian today. We were once in captivity. For to “every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men” (Eph. 4:7–8). Thus we sing with David, “Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive; thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation” (Psa. 68:18–19).

Our Passover is The Lord’s Supper, wherein we remember our Savior’s death on Calvary. For we have been set free from sin and guilt, which the Son took upon Himself on our behalf. Therefore, we are to stand fast “in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Gal. 5:1).

The Israelites kept the feast of unleavened bread “with joy; for the Lord had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.” The work of the house of God is the building of His kingdom here on earth. May our Lord strengthen our hands as He uses us for the advancement of His kingdom, of our witness to the glorious Gospel of our Savior, Christ Jesus, and for moral growth that will enable us to stand firm midst the moral darkness of this world. We ought not to be unsteady in our service and stand for Christ. Our strength lies in God, our Creator and Savior. Our worship and praise should testify to our faith in the true God, saying, “Ascribe ye strength unto God; his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds. O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places; the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God” (Ps. 68:34–35).

Discussion: What does to mean to have liberty and strength in the Lord?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2013 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.