100 days to go! This is great moment to join me, if you like - three months to finish the Old Testament and read the New. Come on a journey with me.
The exiles rebuild the altar
Ezra 3:1-7
In praise of Jerusalem
Psalm 87
Rebuilding of the Temple begins
Ezra 3:8-9
The priests and Levites praise the Lord
Ezra 3:10-13
Longing for God’s house
Psalm 84
In praise of God’s goodness
Psalm 107
A song of praise and thanksgiving
Psalm 66
I picture a fairly small crowd of people, gathered in a ruined square, watching as priests solemnly burn sacrifices in the open air on a makeshift altar. People are casting nervous glances around, because strangers and foreigners are watching curiously. This is the remnant of Israel, beginning again the round of sacrifices in their war torn city.
Weeks later, the crowd is there again, weeping and cheering by turns, and the work begins on a new Temple. Cheering because of the joy in a new beginning, weeping when they remember the glories of the past, and realise that this new one won’t be a patch on what stood there before.
Having flown into Israel on El-Al, I have witnessed the response of Jewish people entering Jerusalem. As the plane touches down, people stand to clap, woop and cheer.
Jerusalem the golden. “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere” (Psalm 84:10)
The agony of exile intensified the people’s love for their land - God’s precious gift to them. Now they are glad to be back, and determined not to let God down again.
The exiles rebuild the altar
Ezra 3:1-7
In praise of Jerusalem
Psalm 87
Rebuilding of the Temple begins
Ezra 3:8-9
The priests and Levites praise the Lord
Ezra 3:10-13
Longing for God’s house
Psalm 84
In praise of God’s goodness
Psalm 107
A song of praise and thanksgiving
Psalm 66
I picture a fairly small crowd of people, gathered in a ruined square, watching as priests solemnly burn sacrifices in the open air on a makeshift altar. People are casting nervous glances around, because strangers and foreigners are watching curiously. This is the remnant of Israel, beginning again the round of sacrifices in their war torn city.
Weeks later, the crowd is there again, weeping and cheering by turns, and the work begins on a new Temple. Cheering because of the joy in a new beginning, weeping when they remember the glories of the past, and realise that this new one won’t be a patch on what stood there before.
Having flown into Israel on El-Al, I have witnessed the response of Jewish people entering Jerusalem. As the plane touches down, people stand to clap, woop and cheer.
Jerusalem the golden. “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere” (Psalm 84:10)
The agony of exile intensified the people’s love for their land - God’s precious gift to them. Now they are glad to be back, and determined not to let God down again.
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