Ezra 3: The Priorities of God's People
IF YOU HAD to move away from your country next month, what would be on your "To Do" list? Cleaning and packing, of course. But who would you want to spend time with? People from work, the neighborhood or social clubs? You might find that it's the people you worship with each Sunday who are most important. Once you arrive in the new place, what would be your highest priorities? In this chapter we learn a lot about the Israelites' priorities.
Warming Up to God
List your priorities as you think about establishing yourself in a new place. What stands out to you in the goals you would set for yourself?
Read Ezra 3. »
Discovering the Word
- Besides the obvious task of settling back in their homeland, what was the first priority for the returned exiles (vv. 1-2)?
- How did the Israelites deal with their reasonable and real fears (v. 3)?
- The seventh month was one of the most sacred and worshipful, yet the entire temple lay demolished. How did they "make do" (v. 6)?
- What does the next project the Israelites turn their attention to tell you about their priorities (vv. 7-9)?
- In what various ways did the people express themselves in worship (vv. 10-13)?
Applying the Word
- How can the God-given priority of worshiping with God's people (Heb 10:25) grow in your life?
- How could you follow the example of the Israelites in facing your fears?
Responding in Prayer
Ask God to help you make your worship of him first and foremost in your life.
For Further Study
Worship by Sundee Tucker Frazier