Dec 1993 - Editorial

An important point emphasized in our major article is the contrast between the times of Ezra and Nehemiah and the early days of the Acts of the Aposfies. It is a circumstance of considerable interest that the return of the Jewish remnant to Jerusalem after the captivity was a low key affair. How different from the tremendous events of Pentecost and after! The re-establishment of the services of God's house under Ezra and Nehemiah was unaccompanied by miracles (unless the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall in 52 days can be so described). God must have a purpose in this, for at the inauguration of the Tabernacle in the wilderness and also of Solomon's Temple the people witnessed the burnt offerings consumed by divine fire, signalling divine pleasure in what was done.

As they sought to give effect to the law of Moses in the changed circumstances of their time, how did the returned captives know that they were in the mind of God? They were sometimes troubled on this point, but God's prophets reassured them (see Haggal 1:8; 2:4; Zech. 3:3-7; 4:6-10). They were thus able to rely implicitly on the Word of God, and the building of the house of God went forward with renewed vigour. By these means it would seem, God was beginning to teach His people, just a step at a time, that the time was not far away when a new order of things would be introduced. God would have disciples walk by faith and not by sight, worshipping in spifit and truth (John 4:23).

L. Burrows

unknown | Dec 1993
Editorial