July 3

July 3

Ezra 1 & 2
Luke 2

Israelites were encouraged by King Cyrus (Persia) to return to Jerusalem and
rebuild the temple. It's interesting to note that the same thing happened before
where all were lead to give above and beyond their resources to rebuild the
temple. Even King Cyrus kicked in. God working through an "enemy."

In Luke's writing about the birth of Christ, we learn that Simeon gave thanks to
God for revealing Jesus to him before he died (after all, God promised He would).
The point made in verse 32 that God revealed to Simeon that Jesus was "a light
to reveal His will to the Gentiles and bring glory to your people, Israel." Jesus
came for ALL people, not just the Jewish people.