daily reading 17.2 (Ezra 4:1–5)

5-days-a-week through Daniel and other late OT books in 2023

Our opening prayer for this glorious Easter week is from the end of Psalm 118. The Messiah's words are in regular print, and his people's words are in bold print:

“Open the righteous gates That I may enter them.”
“This is the gateway of the LORD; The righteous may come in.”
“You answered me in need. My rescue? You alone!”
“The stone the builders cast aside Is now the cornerstone.

“This is the LORD’s own work And marvelous to see;
The LORD has acted on this day! We praise his victory.
All glory be to him! Hosanna! Send success!
How blessed is he who comes to us In God’s own name, all blessed.

“God is the LORD, and he Has shined on our dark ways;
Bring branches to the altar horns. Process with hymns of praise!”
“My God, I give you thanks. I will exalt your name!”
“O, thank the LORD, for he is good, His mercy e’er the same.”

Ezra 4:1–5

  • When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, 2 they approached Zerubbabel and the family heads and said to them, "Let us build with you, for we also worship your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time King Esar-haddon of Assyria brought us here."
  • 3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other heads of Israel's families answered them, "You may have no part with us in building a house for our God, since we alone will build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia has commanded us."
  • 4 Then the people who were already in the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build.
  • 5 They also bribed officials to act against them to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of King Cyrus of Persia and until the reign of King Darius of Persia.
Helpful notes on Ezra 4:1–5





For yourself pray:

  • That God keeps you from becoming discouraged, even desperate

For others pray:

  • That God spreads the good news of the kingdom of the Son he loves in Sri Lanka

A psalm to listen to, as time allows:


 


  


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