They meant it for evil
Notes
Transcript
The past couple of weeks we have seen the enemies of Israel come and do all they can to put a stop to the work that God gave Israel to do, to build a temple in Jerusalem.
There were many different groups that were trying to bring an end to the work. They all worked for evil but God turned it for good
This is something that God has always done for his people and will continue doing
God worked to provide the needed resources
God worked to provide the needed resources
When Darius searched out the matter he not only found permission but a decree to provide the materials needed
It took 21 years to build the temple and this letter sent by the enemies was what provided the needed materials to bring about its completion (8)
Not only resources for building but also for the priests and sacrifices so that the completed temple could fulfil its purpose in bring glory to God (9-10)
God is able to meet all your needs according to the riches he has in heaven
He is rich in grace and mercy to meet all your spiritual needs of forgiveness and salvation
He can sustain you and provide for you as a heavenly father
God worked to provide the needed protection
God worked to provide the needed protection
Not only did Darius provide resources but also protection from all their enemies (11-12)
Now the people could work freely to finish the work that God gave them to do
They were able to finally bring the temple to completion just as God commanded them to do (14)
God is able to strengthen us in all that he has asked us to do
He is all-powerful and can help us in our life
God has sent help and truth to instruct us along the way
God worked to provide the needed passover
God worked to provide the needed passover
With the completed temple and the people returned from captivity, they could once again keep the passover (19-20)
This feast was a reminder of all that God had done for them
They separated themselves to seek the Lord (21)
God provided a lamb for Abraham (Gen 22:8), God provided the passover to deliver his people from Egypt (Exodus 12:27), God provided his only begotten Son to be the passover lamb for all people
It was God who turned the heart of the king of Assyria
It was God who was the provider and he is still the provider today