Willingly Give. Yourself.
“And all those who were around them encouraged [chazaq] them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered [nadab].” (Ezra 1:6)
- We all need encouragement to walk by faith and fulfill God’s purposes for our lives.
The Hebrew word “chazaq” means to be strong and to be made strong. God told Joshua to be strong (Josh 1:6,7,9,18) and so did God’s people. People in Babylon gave strength to those returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar.
- We all need to give ourselves freely to God
The Hebrew word “nadab” means to freely give. The children of Israel freely gave what was need to build the tabernacle in the wilderness after being delivered from Egypt.
“Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD’s offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments.” (Ex 35:21)
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Lk 9:23)
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom 12:1)
“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matt 10:8)
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1Pet 4:10)
Reading: Ezra 1-3; Acts 1