Word In Life Study Bible
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BEGINS WITH WORSHIP
Ezra3:1-11
Effective community developers and project managers looks for ways to help people come together and work to better their circumstances. When Jeshua and Zerubbabel and their brothers surveyed the situation at Jerusalem (Ezra 3:1), they began their community redevelopment efforts by calling the people together for worship (3:2–11).
In many ways this event was to be expected. All of these leaders were priests, and to a priest, the first priority in a plan to revitalize community life was to reestablish worship services and rebuild a worship center. Thus, even before the city walls were rebuilt, an altar was set up and temple construction was started.
Apparently the Israelite priests realized that worship celebrations help to mobilize a community while also giving glory to God. Their example encourages us today to place a priority on seeking the Lord and worshiping Him as we launch projects aimed at community development.
Study notes from the Word In Life Study Bible, copyright 1993,1996, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. The study notes from the Word In Life Study Bible appearing at this web site are for personal use only.
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