"...the people gathered together as one man (3:1);" and "...Jeshua with his sons and brothers, Kadmiel with his sons, and the sons of Judah, arose as one to oversee those working on the house of God" (3:9)
Worship and sacrifice begins once again as the people return from exile. Joined together, as one, they duly honor and give thanks to God for freeing them from bondage to another people. They are so united it is as if they are "one man" - united in heart and mind.
And... with one heart and mind the priests rise up to lead the people in the remaking of the temple.
It often seems that when we pass through a major crisis or a major event, participation in worship jumps up a bit. Immediately following the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York City, the attendance in churches across the country surged. People got together as one to worship God. The surge did not last for too long, though. Once everyone became a bit more confident that the "government" could protect us with additional security measures (whether it's true or not), attendance went back to normal. Everyone went their own separate way.
Years ago, not many years after I began serving at Zion, we had a major building project. The addition included an office, library, Sunday School rooms, and an elevator. It was major for this small community. It brought the people together as one. They rose up as one to complete that project to the glory of God. I believe that during the time of the building project; because of the enthusiasm the project generated, our attendance at Worship rose higher, more quickly, than at any other time in many decades. It was a great time for evangelism! Thankfully, attendance has not fallen off since then. The congregation has grown a bit since then, but, not in any way like it did at that time.
It is a little sad that we need crisis or trials or major challenges in order for us to turn and worship the one true God as one people. But, it seems that is the way it has always been. It took being sent into captivity in order for them to gather as one and serve the LORD, our God. May God send His reconciling Spirit that we might rise up as one to Worship and glorify Him.
By the way... that is a work of God, not man. All the good intentions of man will not convince the rest of humankind that we should, as one, love the LORD our God and our neighbor as ourselves. Only the love of God through Christ Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, can convince us. It would be good though, if our stubborn hearts would not require exile in order for that to happen.
God's Peace - Pr. J
Worship and sacrifice begins once again as the people return from exile. Joined together, as one, they duly honor and give thanks to God for freeing them from bondage to another people. They are so united it is as if they are "one man" - united in heart and mind.
And... with one heart and mind the priests rise up to lead the people in the remaking of the temple.
It often seems that when we pass through a major crisis or a major event, participation in worship jumps up a bit. Immediately following the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York City, the attendance in churches across the country surged. People got together as one to worship God. The surge did not last for too long, though. Once everyone became a bit more confident that the "government" could protect us with additional security measures (whether it's true or not), attendance went back to normal. Everyone went their own separate way.
Years ago, not many years after I began serving at Zion, we had a major building project. The addition included an office, library, Sunday School rooms, and an elevator. It was major for this small community. It brought the people together as one. They rose up as one to complete that project to the glory of God. I believe that during the time of the building project; because of the enthusiasm the project generated, our attendance at Worship rose higher, more quickly, than at any other time in many decades. It was a great time for evangelism! Thankfully, attendance has not fallen off since then. The congregation has grown a bit since then, but, not in any way like it did at that time.
It is a little sad that we need crisis or trials or major challenges in order for us to turn and worship the one true God as one people. But, it seems that is the way it has always been. It took being sent into captivity in order for them to gather as one and serve the LORD, our God. May God send His reconciling Spirit that we might rise up as one to Worship and glorify Him.
By the way... that is a work of God, not man. All the good intentions of man will not convince the rest of humankind that we should, as one, love the LORD our God and our neighbor as ourselves. Only the love of God through Christ Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, can convince us. It would be good though, if our stubborn hearts would not require exile in order for that to happen.
God's Peace - Pr. J
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