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EZRA 8:18

"THE GOOD HAND OF OUR GOD ON US"

Intro: This seems to be the theme of this book. God is constantly working in the lives of His
       people for good. We can't always see this. These were the good days of restoration.

I. GOD HAD PROMISED THIS DAY.
        A. Through Jeremiah.
                1. He prophesied of their being carried away captive to Babylon.
                2. The period of their captivity 70 years.
                3. That He would restore them to their land.
        B. Over 100 years earlier through Isaiah.
                1. He named Cyrus the Persian King as the instrument through which this
                   restoration would come.
                2. 150 years before he is born God said:  "I have named you though you do not
                   know me."
                        a. Imagine his parents choosing a name for their child.

II. THE DAY OF GOD'S PROMISE HAS ARRIVED.
        A. God moved upon the heart of Cyrus to send the Jews back to rebuild the house of God.
                1. He gave to them the gold and silver vessels taken by Babylon.
                2. He also raised funds for the building.
        B. As they began to rebuild opposition arose.
                1. The inhabitants of the land came and offered help.
                2. When this offer refused they sent letters to Ahasuerusi or Artexerses who
                   was now King, warning him to read the history books and learn the nature of
                   these people.
                3. Ahasuerous responded with a cease and desist order.
                4. However at his death the work resumed under the leadership of Zerubbabel 
                   and Joshua encouraged by Haggai & Zechariah the prophets.
                5. The inhabitants of the area again sought to stop their work, this time by
                   intimidation.
                        a. What are your names? Who gave the orders?
                        b. They just answered we are the servants of the living God & He
                           ordered us.
                6. They sent letters         Darius telling him to check the records & send
                   a stop work order.
                        a. But God had gotten to Darius before them.
                        b. God had given him a special liking for Daniel.
                        c. This had created jealousy & a conspiracy.
                        d. Darius had been flattered into a vain decree that trapped Daniel.
                        e. When there was found no way to deliver Daniel he sought to comfort
                           him.
                        f. When he saw the power of Daniel's God, he send forth a decree that
                           men everywhere tremble & fear before the God of Daniel, He is the
                           living God.
                        g. So when he got this letter he sent back an order to leave them 
                           alone, in fact they were to take their tax money and contribute it
                           to the building. 

When you walk with God and His hand is on your life, though your enemies seek to work against
you, he can turn it for good

We may not always see his hand at the moment. In Jerusalem Zerubbabel & Joshua were probably
saying, "Oh God, what are you doing?" In the lion's den, Daniel probably said, "Oh, God."

David said you are before me and behind me and your hand is upon me.

The good hand of our God on us.