Luke 24:41-43 ~ Joy and Amazement

This Picture is listed as Georgia now. And it could be the same angel cloud we saw in May 1989 at Lake Texhoma - did not change for hours. Perhaps almost 3.
The boat of 6 people was infinitesimally small to the massively sized Archangel cloud - see Asterisk:













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                                                             *


From Germany:

Angels are Messengers of God. This is only a Blessing.

Let's Contrast Hebrews 1:

After making purification for sins, Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"?Or again, "I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son"? 6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." 7 Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire."




To Genesis 3

8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day,
 and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

Our Living God. Always present.


John 20:17
Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

God is very vocal about Himself. God is a communicator.

Luke 24:41-43
41 While they were still in disbelief because of their joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and He took it and ate it in front of them.


John 20:27
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”

The great crowd had seen the Widow of Nain - her son was alive again. We had to know where Jesus would go.

The Profound Blessing of Pentecost.

Acts 1: 8

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."


Angels are messengers of God and say, "Fear Not." God of All and the Heavenly Host witnessed the Ascension of Jesus Victorious. His messengers giving His Help.

Numbers 23:19-20

19 God is not man, that he should lie,
or a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Has he said, and will he not do it?
Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
20 Behold, I received a command to bless:
he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.


Hebrews 6:18

So that by two unchangeable things,
in which it is impossible for God to lie,
we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement 
to hold fast to the hope set before us.






Abba, Father God,

In Genesis 1 and 2, You Delighted in Jesus and Jesus in You. Father, Son and Holy Spirit delighted to look into mankind. The Holy Spirit was abiding upon all the abundant waters near mankind. Jesus desired His Father to have a New Heaven and for mankind to have a new earth. Their plan is to put an abiding and real Holy Spirit in our lives.

We offer You, Father God, abundant Thanksgiving for the Holy Spirit dwelling in all who ask of Jesus to Live in them. The Blessing of Jesus Christ is ours and we profoundly Thank You.

Fill us with the Holy Spirit Father God. The People we Love and the people You have given us. Blessings for the prayers of the people You have given us.

Prayers and the Power of God filling the people and pets who are ill. Encouragement of Hope and Healing. Blessings said for the Abundant Power of our Living God.

God, please bless the Nation Trusting in You. Give us all Your Grace and mercy. The Nations Trusting in You. Bless our employments, peace, homes, communities, vacations, travels and education and schools. Bless the Beloved of God praying to You with more Heaven on earth and more Holy Spirit. Love, Joy and Peace. Father God of Abundance.

We ask in Jesus Christ. A Blessed Pentecost for all the Churches and the Beloved of God.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Psalm 91:12 ~ lift you up

Psalm 91:12

The Heavenly Host will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone


Proverbs 3:23
Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble.

Shepherds like Jesse and David have something in common.

They walk on uneven paths in all kinds of weather - morning, noon, evening and night. Shepherds are always using what is at hand to care for their flock. Shepherding is not always uniquely profitable. And yet as Shepherds make the best of things. Shepherds have plenty of time to pray. Making Shepherds the first to know of Jesus as the Good News.

Shepherds pray over the very young. The expectant. The beginning. The ill. The Lost. The aging. The aged. Shepherds stay in the processes of grooming, medicating, feeding. And when we see Lambs and Sheep are smart - trainable - we know the Shepherds have played and trained their flock. Shepherds see personalities in the animals. Shepherds endure to the very end. Shepherds remember their flock long departed. Shepherds tell flock stories. A meaningful life.

Remember King David was still remembering sheep as the Prophet Nathan spoke with him one day. The Prophet Nathan won David's heart and a forefather of Mary was named by David, David called his son Nathan.



David knew this right well.

Psalm 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.


The faithful head out in all circumstances. Expecting the Lord to be with them. In caring for their flock and with joy and expectation of God. We go forth with the pure Joy of the Lord. All this caring for others - makes life meaningful. St. Augustine said don't worry about the number of people to care for - be glad to care for the few the Lord generally gives us. And God of the Universe, Creator of All is pleased with us. With you. With me.




Abba, Holy Father,

We go forth with You. Expecting Your Grace and Blessings Each Day!!!

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.

We know even when we worry, just as the Disciples did Jesus never fired them. God, You have given us the Word and Work of God to find peace.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true,
whatever is honorable,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable
— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy
— think on these things.

Remembering the Word of God - 

what we have learned 
   and received      and heard from Lord Jesus and seen in Him,
put these things into practice.
And the God of peace will be with us all.


Blessing of Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit
on those we Love
on the people God has given us.

Praying all of this upon our Nation trusting in the Lord.
For our employments,
for our communities,
for our schools,
for our towns,
for our Churches believing in the Word of God and His Mercy,
for all Nations trusting in God
and His Beloved all over the world.

The amazing Kingdom, Power and Glory of God
covering the Creation of God - His earth
with prayer and conversations with our Father.

Blessings will abound as we ask God for more Heaven on earth and see more of
His Blessings and Holy Spirit.

In Jesus, Our Lord, Amen!

1 Corinthians 16:13,14 ~ done in love

Jesus knows two sparrows and not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care  (Matthew 10:29).

Jesus cured the nobleman's son (John 4:46-47).

Jesus healed a leper (Mark 1:40-45).

Jesus healed the centurion's servant (Matthew 8:5-13).

Jesus cured the paralytic (Matthew 9:1-8).

Jesus raised the ruler's daughter from the dead (Matthew 9:18-26).

Jesus cured a woman of an issue of blood (Luke 8:43-48).

Jesus opened the eyes of two blind men (Matthew 9:27-31).

Jesus opened the eyes of two blind men (Matthew 20:30-34).

Jesus fed at least five thousand people (Matthew 14:15-21).

Jesus fed at least four thousand people (Matthew 15:32-39).

Jesus healed a woman of Canaan (Matthew 15:22-28).

Jesus cured a deaf and mute man (Mark 7:31-37).

Jesus opened the eyes of a blind man (Mark 8:22-26).

Jesus cured a woman who had been afflicted eighteen years (Luke 13:10-17).

Jesus cured a man of dropsy (Luke 14:1-4).

Jesus cleansed ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19).

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-46).


Not just the Centurion, not just the woman grasping the Hem of Jesus garment.

These were people who brought others, this happened again and again.

Proving, Prayer works. Proving Jesus, when sought, will answer.

More people saw Jesus so willing and they went to Jesus as well.

The path of our feet want to travel in the Word of our Father God, His Banner over us is Love. Asking each day to meet God's timing with Joy. Expectation.




1 Corinthians 16:13,14

13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.


Especially when your grand-dog goes from limping and pond water for his older hips and exercises for limping - to ESCAPING galloping, swimming like a world's champion, running, sprinting, fleeing, almost knocking you down - the Siberian Husky escape artist. Run after him - - - fast.



Abba,
 Amen in Jesus. Father God, You love the short, conversational prayers as well. Knowing all hearts, needs, desires and Your Path. Thank GOD. 
Amen.

Psalm 91:11 ~ He will

Angel clouds come and go. The Wonder of God does not. Jesus always with us. I see 5 Angels - how many do you see?
Matthew 28:20 
I am with you always

Psalm 91:11

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.


Yesterday we spoke of Jesse of Bethlehem being so well known the Head of the Tabernacle, the Judge of Israel, knew who Jesse was immediately. All of David's life and unto old age, David was called Son of Jesse. Ok, sure, cultural. But not if your father was not all that and you changed lives. People did, even in the old robe-wearing days.

Daniel existed as the head advisor to 2 Kings of The Chaldean Babylonian Empire. Daniel relied on his faith after being shown how much help is available when we say God the Almighty, God of All and all the Heavenly Host. Daniel knew even in his 'exile' or 'slavery' how much help was present. The New Testament tells us this by saying be glad for your circumstances, this is known to our Father in Heaven.

Angels and believing families. Both - we need.

Reagan had something in common with quite a few Presidents like Lincoln.

Ronald Reagan's Faith, Not Just Policies, Undermined Communism
The author of God and Ronald Reagan discusses the spiritual life of America's 40th president
Interview by Rob Moll June 1, 2004

Reagan's mother had a profound effect on him when as a boy the family moved constantly. She also brought him to faith.

His mother, Nelle Reagan, was a wonderful, devoutly Christian woman. I'm convinced that she made a president. She's a mom who made a president because, so much of what Reagan did that was critical to his success came from that faith that he got from his mom. That optimism Reagan needed to do what he did, came from his faith. Reagan's communication skills—he was the Great Communicator—Reagan first learned to speak in a church.




However.
There is a very valid place where David ceased to be called Son of Jesse.

Acts 13:22
And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.


We don't see hearts and souls. God does.

Revelation 3:7
7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open."


God saw something so worthwhile in David shepherd/mercenary/abandoned husband by wife Michal/fallen husbands (sad)/fallen father - in Heaven David is said to have a key. The Mercy of God.

What we don't see - God does.






Father God,

Jesus didn't plan on only Heaven. Jesus found this life to be joy. Titus found satisfaction in God, church tradition says Titus was one of the 72 Disciples. Titus lived a long, long good life in Greece. Crete - where the dispersion of Jews wanted Jesus to come to them.

Father God, we welcome Your Blessing and ask Jesus to be with us always. Thank You for Your Promises.

We thank You, Father God, Jesus, Your Son has saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to Your own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.

Continue to pour out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by Your grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. We ask this for those we Love and the people You have given us.

The saying is trustworthy, and Your Word says to insist on these things, and we who have believed in God may be careful to devote ourselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

With God's Grace, we will avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

We will have Your help as high as Your Home and Your Heart. Your messengers. Your Word. We will find Thanksgiving in the life You have given us. Thank You for the Joys You have provided.

In Jesus Christ, we ask more of the Holy Spirit and Heaven on earth. For the people of God and the Nations who Trust in You. Upheld by Jesus Christ.

Amen.

1 Samuel 16 ~ He is tending the sheep

Studying the Scriptures can be like the 3 Dimensional Work of the Shroud of Turin.

A real human being is seen. Jesus of Nazareth. All of the Scriptures point to Jesus as God's Son. To see the importance of each person. We know well the Highest Love Father God has - to save the world in Jesus Christ. John 1 tells us the

9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

I'd thought of Jesse as a father who neglected to bring his youngest son to Samuel and as a result, was told to stand until the youngest son could be gathered from the field and brought in. I'd thought Jesse was a cog of the genealogy of Jesus. The Bible is rich to say, "Salvation" and truthful to say." sinner". The stories of the ordinary Bible people also show us reasons why Father God has tender care.

The Scripture today is the Anointing of David - 1 Samuel 16. An impressive anointing. David himself is recorded after his earthy win-win-win  - 22 years of struggling - then 40 Biblical Years of struggling at the top. David - is recorded as being utterly overwhelmed at the earthly and then the Eternal Blessings of Father God to this very flawed individual. David is just about the most impressed human being in all of Scriptures. Completely in awe of the Mercy and Tenderness of God the Almighty Father towards David of "not remembered in the fields", hiding in caves, mercenary, warrior, Chief Worrier, , family kidnapped, not crowned immediately after Saul died, Adulterer, murderer, Father with multiple problematic situations with less than pleasant outcomes. A Struggle. Almost always. And inspirationally trusting God.

So what happened to David's family from Bethlehem... David did not forget them. 1005 BC: David takes his parents to Mizpah of Moab leaving them with the king to keep them safe from Saul.1 Samuel 22:3-4

What was Jesse to God? Well, in the scandal of not bringing David forth to the Head of The Tabernacle - Samuel; we find Jesse is actually an old man. 3 of his sons are seasoned warriors of Saul's. This was new to me.


Isaiah knew Boaz, Jesse's Grandfather was the column of the front of the Temple of Jerusalem. Important to David and Solomon. Isaiah knew Jesse was important to David. This insight is of deep importance because this is from the Almighty God Himself.

Isaiah 11:10
In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.


Not David. The Root of Jesse is glorious. A thousand years later - Paul finds Jesse equally important.

Romans 15:12
And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope."


So little is known of Joseph - earthly father to Jesus. Jesse - forbearer to Mary and Joseph - both- is tenderly mentioned many times in Scripture. And tells us of David's father, worthy of such remembrance in the heart of Father God.





We welcome the story of Jesse:
Beloved of God. Usually considered mere background. And yet... not to God. Dearly Beloved.

Isaiah 11:1
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.


Ruth 4:17
17 The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!”
And they named him Obed.
He was the father of Jesse,
the father of David.


Ruth 4:22
Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David.

The population is roughly 5 million people. Samuel knows Jesse.

Matthew 1 Genealogy is important to the Children of Israel.

5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse,
6 and Jesse the father of King David.


1 Samuel 16:1
1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

1 Samuel 16:3
Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

1 Samuel 16:5 NIV
5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

1 Samuel 16:8 NIV
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”

1 Samuel 16:9
9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.”

1 Samuel 16:10
10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.”


1 Samuel 16:11
11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

1 Samuel 16:18
18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.”

1 Samuel 16:19 NIV
19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”

1 Samuel 16:20 NIV
20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.

1 Samuel 16:22
22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”


1 Samuel 17:12
Now David was the son of an Ephrathite (The Ephrathites were people from Ephrath (or Ephrathah, which the Bible tells us was associated with Bethlehem south of Jerusalem. The word Ephrath in Hebrew means “fruitful,” and Bethlehem means “house of bread.”) named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah.
Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old.


1 Samuel 17:13
13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah.


1 Samuel 17:17
17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp.


1 Samuel 17:20
20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry.

1 Samuel 17:58
58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.”

1 Samuel 20:27
27 But the next day, the second day of the month, David’s place was empty again. Then Saul said to his son Jonathan, “Why hasn’t the son of Jesse come to the meal, either yesterday or today?”

1 Samuel 20:30
30 Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you?

1 Samuel 20:31 NIV
31 As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send someone to bring him to me, for he must die!”


1 Samuel 22:7 NIV
7 He said to them, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds?


1 Samuel 22:8
8 Is that why you have all conspired against me? No one tells me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is concerned about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today.”

1 Samuel 22:9
9 But Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul’s officials, said, “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelek son of Ahitub at Nob.


1 Samuel 22:13
13 Saul said to him, “Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, giving him bread and a sword and inquiring of God for him, so that he has rebelled against me and lies in wait for me, as he does today?”

1 Samuel 25:10
10 Nabal answered David’s servants, “Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days.

2 Samuel 20:1
1 Now a troublemaker named Sheba son of Bikri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and shouted, “We have no share in David, no part in Jesse’s son! Every man to his tent, Israel!”

2 Samuel 23
Now, these are the last words of David:
The oracle of David, the son of Jesse,
the oracle of the man who was raised on high,
the anointed of the God of Jacob,
the sweet psalmist of Israel:
2
“The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me;
his word is on my tongue.
3
The God of Israel has spoken;
the Rock of Israel has said to me:
When one rules justly over men,
ruling in the fear of God,

He dawns on them like the morning light,
like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning

Like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth.

“For does not my house stand so with God?
For he has made with me an everlasting covenant,
ordered in all things and secure."


1 Kings 12:16
16 When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What share do we have in David, what part in Jesse’s son? To your tents, Israel! Look after your own house, David!” So the Israelites went home.


1 Chronicles 10:14 NIV
14 and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.



1 Chronicles 12:18 NIV
18 Then the Spirit came on Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, David! We are with you, son of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands.

1 Chronicles 29:26
26 David son of Jesse was king over all Israel.

2 Chronicles 10:16
16 When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What share do we have in David, what part in Jesse’s son? To your tents, Israel! Look after your own house, David!” So all the Israelites went home.

2 Chronicles 11:18
18 Rehoboam married Mahalath, who was the daughter of David’s son Jerimoth and of Abihail, the daughter of Jesse’s son Eliab.

Psalm 72:20 
20 This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.

 Bethlehem - vintage photo.  And today:

 Solomon build irrigation pools in Bethlehem

Abba, Heavenly Father,

The First Recipients of the Good News of Jesus Christ are Shepherds.
Those who tend to the care and nurture of what God has given them.
The Beloved of Father God are Shepherds.

Father God, we are the Sheep of Your Pasture. It is You who have made us and not we ourselves.

John 10:14
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me

1 Peter 5:4
And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.


Abba, we will pray the prayer David knew of the business of Shepherding from his father: Jesse.


The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy will "be the fruit of my life" all the days of my life.

And I will dwell in the House of the Lord.

We would follow the example of Jesse - we would add this to our own Beloved. To the people Father God has given us. The people we pray for daily. To the Nation trusting in God. All the Nations trusting in God. Our employments, our communities, our Churches, our schools. More Heaven on earth and Holy Spirit, we ask in Jesus.

Amen.

The Root of Jesse would tenderly hold us

Haggai 2 ~ Chosen

The Slaves of Judah saw destruction of the worst kind, walked 1,000 miles to the Verdant City and Empire of Babylon

The Palace of Nebuchadnezzar II would draw visitors from around the world, hundreds of years after his death.

Nebuchadnezzar II would have incredible Military Wins because he believed Isaiah 13 was about Nebuchadnezzar pleasing God. He defeated the Assyrians, the Egyptian Dynasties fell and conquered little tiny Judah because they failed to please God, honor commitments to Nebuchadnezzar while he was interested in God of all gods. 

Nebuchadnezzar II was told if he conquered Judah, Babylon would cease to be beautiful - the city between the two rivers of the Garden of Eden would become a desert.  Nebuchadnezzar II also understood his reign would not be a dynasty and the Empire would be conquered.

Because Nebuchadnezzar was very interested in the God of the Jews, and because the Policy of the Babylonian Empire and Cyrus the Great and Darius was interested in human rights - the slaves would soon be called "exiles' and given privileges of owning private property, housing, and the Sabbath gave them the power to assemble and worship their God.

Babylon was a wonder of the World. 

However, there were 'drawbacks' to being in service.

Nebuchadnezzar, as Emperor, truly the slave's owner could be very dictatorial.

Haggai 2

1 In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet,


2 "Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, 
governor of Judah, 

and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, 

and to all the remnant of the people, and say, 


3 'Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes?

 4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. 

Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts, 5 according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. 

6 For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. 

7 And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts. 9 The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.'"

10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, 

11 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: Ask the priests about the law: 12 'If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and touches with his fold bread or stew or wine or oil or any kind of food, does it become holy?'" 

The priests answered and said, "No." 

13 Then Haggai said, "If someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?" 

The priests answered and said, "It does become unclean." 

14 Then Haggai answered and said, "So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the LORD, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean.

15 Now then, consider from this day onward. Before stone was placed upon stone in the temple of the LORD, 16 how did you fare? When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. 1

7 I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the LORD. 


18 Consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the LORD's temple was laid, consider: 19 Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you."



20 The word of the LORD came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, 21 "Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, 22 and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations and overthrow the chariots and their riders. 


And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. 23 On that day, declares the LORD of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the LORD, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of hosts."





Babylon was beautiful. Familiar. Established.

The Exiles had homes for 2 and 3 generations. Places of comfort.

The exiles joined people from around the world in service. They had Synagogues, co-workers, families, homes. Leave? The Exodus was 600.000 men. The Return from Exile had 40.000 in total. Probably half a million stayed in Babylon.  Like Esther's family.

It's interesting how the Scriptures repeat.

The Exiles knew what Jerusalem looked like after 70 years. About the same as the inside of the Arch of Titus.

Jerusalem was not white bones ready to build upon. Jerusalem was rock scorched, dark, depressing and ruined.

We think of Jerusalem as grand and noble.

They had lived with the Babylonian Empire and thought it was the finest. Just as the Arch of Titus fell as unimportant in Rome.


A few people saw that Jerusalem, a pile of scorched stones - was favorable to God. They were willing to put daily work with faith in the direction God would give them. It would be hard work to build and the remnant of God was daily willing. And as Israel rose - even stones far away became witness to the Glory of God's Plan.

In a city Jesus has spoken of - to Hold His Church.

Today we see again, for the faithful, The Word of God, given thanks, worked on in faith, going where God would truly call us - is the Truth. And Glory for God is Glorious.

Jerusalem:

Capernaum:

Jesus the Lord God ~


1 Kings 8

26"Now therefore, O God of Israel, let Your word, I pray, be confirmed which You have spoken to Your servant, my father David. 27"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built! 28"Yet have regard to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which Your servant prays before You today


1 Corinthians 3

15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as one being snatched from the fire. 16 Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.



Abba, Father God,

May the Love and Power of the Holy Spirit exist in us and uphold us and lead us each day in His Good Plan.

We ask in the Name of Jesus. Amen.