Ezra pours out an appeal from his heart to people to build the house of God in a broken day. We are living in a broken day in 2023. As you read through the book of Ezra you will notice instruction directly from God’s word about the importance of maintaining the House of God. The call goes out today in 2023 ” whoever there among you”. If you have a concern in the broken days in which we live the scriptures direct us to go up and build the House of God.
The reference to working with Christ the JND bible makes a note “l“on Cor 3: 9 on the word fellow workmen: “Workers or fellow labourers together with God goes too far. The Greek word has the sense of journeyman, but they are fellows doing the chief’s work: see 2 Cor 6:1”
Bible Scriptures: Darby Translation
Ezra 1:1-4 “1 And in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, and he made a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and also in writing, saying,2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth has Jehovah the God of the heavens given to me, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
3 Whosoever there is among you of all his people, his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of Jehovah the God of Israel—he is God—which is at Jerusalem.4 And whosoever remains in any place where he sojourns, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, besides the voluntary offering for the house of God which is at Jerusalem.”
Ephesians 2:18-22 “18 For through him we have both access by one Spirit to the Father.19 So then ye are no longer strangers and foreigners, but ye are fellow-citizens of the saints, and of the household of God,
20 being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the corner-stone,21 in whom all [the] building fitted together increases to a holy temple in the Lord;22 in whom *ye* also are built together for a habitation of God in [the] Spirit.”
Ephesians 3: 9-12 “9 and to enlighten all [with the knowledge of] what is the administration of the mystery hidden throughout the ages in God, who has created all things,10 in order that now to the principalities and authorities in the heavenlies might be made known through the assembly the all-various wisdom of God,
11 according to [the] purpose of the ages, which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord,12 in whom we have boldness and access in confidence by the faith of him.”
Ezra 1:5 “5 And the chief fathers of Judah and Benjamin rose up, and the priests, and the Levites, even all those whose spirit God had stirred, to go up to build the house of Jehovah which is at Jerusalem.”
1 Corinthians 3:9-17 “9 For we are God’s fellow-workmen; ye are God’s husbandry, God’s building.10 According to the grace of God which has been given to me, as a wise architect, I have laid the foundation, but another builds upon it. But let each see how he builds upon it.
11 For other foundation can no man lay besides that which [is] laid, which is Jesus Christ.12 Now if any one build upon [this] foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, grass, straw,13 the work of each shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare [it], because it is revealed in fire; and the fire shall try the work of each what it is.14 If the work of any one which he has built upon [the foundation] shall abide, he shall receive a reward.
15 If the work of any one shall be consumed, he shall suffer loss, but *he* shall be saved, but so as through [the] fire.16 Do ye not know that ye are [the] temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwells in you?17 If any one corrupt the temple of God, *him* shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are *ye*.”
Ezra 1:11 “11 All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand four hundred. The whole did Sheshbazzar bring up, when they of the captivity were brought up from Babylon to Jerusalem.”
2 Timothy 2:19-22 “19 Yet the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, [The] Lord knows those that are his; and, Let every one who names the name of [the] Lord withdraw from iniquity.20 But in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also wooden and earthen; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If therefore one shall have purified himself from these, [in separating himself from them], he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified, serviceable to the Master, prepared for every good work.22 But youthful lusts flee, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Ezra 3:1-3 “3 And when the seventh month came, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem.2 Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer up burnt-offerings on it, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.3 And they set the altar on its base; for fear was upon them because of the people of the countries; and they offered up burnt-offerings on it to Jehovah, the morning and evening burnt-offerings.”
Ezra 3:10-11 “10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of Jehovah, they set the priests in their apparel, with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise Jehovah according to the directions of David king of Israel.
11 And they sang alternately together in praising and giving thanks to Jehovah: For he is good, for his loving-kindness [endureth] for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout to the praise of Jehovah, because the foundation of the house of Jehovah was laid.”