daily reading 18.5 (Ezra 6:8–12)

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

Our opening prayer for this Easter week:

Jesus, shepherd of the sheep,
Who your Father’s flock does keep,
Safe we wake, and safe we sleep,
Guarded still by you.

In your promise firm we stand;
None can take us from your hand.
Speak— we hear— at your command,
We will follow you.

By your blood our souls were bought; 
By your life salvation wrought; 
By your light our feet are taught,
Lord to follow you. 

Father draw us to your Son; 
We with joy will follow on 
Till the work of grace is done, 
There to live with you.

We in robes of glory dressed,
Join the assembly of the blest,
Gathered to eternal rest
In the fold with you. Amen.

Ezra 6:8–12

  • I hereby issue a decree concerning what you are to do, so that the elders of the Jews can rebuild the house of God: The cost is to be paid in full to these men out of the royal revenues from the taxes of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that the work will not stop.
  •  9 Whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, and lambs for burnt offerings to the God of the heavens, or wheat, salt, wine, and oil, as requested by the priests in Jerusalem—let it be given to them every day without fail, 10 so that they can offer sacrifices of pleasing aroma to the God of the heavens and pray for the life of the king and his sons.
  • 11 I also issue a decree concerning any man who interferes with this directive: Let a beam be torn from his house and raised up; he will be impaled on it, and his house will be made into a garbage dump because of this offense.
  • 12 May the God who caused his name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who dares to harm or interfere with this house of God in Jerusalem. 
  • I, Darius, have issued the decree. Let it be carried out diligently.
Helpful notes on Ezra 6:8–12



For yourself pray:

  • That God gives you courage in Christ

For others pray:

  • That God directs the affairs of those who rule your country for the good of his church

A psalm to listen to, as time allows:



  


 


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