The Eye of the Lord Watches Over Me!

Ezra 5

Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, November 28.

You’ve heard parents say, “I’m keeping an eye on my children.” You can feel the love and concern for their children’s safety in this statement. This nurturing image is used in the Bible to express God’s concern for His people.

After the previous chapter’s broad stroke of time, Ezra 5 details a specific moment of history – approximately forty years since the proclamation of Cyrus the king of Persia (Ezra 1:1), a time of political upheaval in the Persian Empire. The remnant no longer had a copy of the decree that authorized their work in Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, so a letter had to be written from Tattenai, the governor of the province, to the new king of Persia, Darius (3-17).

Ezra 5:5 demonstrates the remnant’s faith in God, “But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until a report could come to Darius, and then a written reply be returned concerning it.” They kept working because they believed God was watching over them. The anthropomorphic phrase, “the eye of their God” is also found in Deuteronomy 11:12 regarding God’s protection of the Promised Land; in 1 Kings 9:3 regarding God’s care for Solomon’s Temple; and in Psalm 33:18 of  God’s love for His children (cf. Job 36:7).

What a beautiful truth that God is watching over us to protect and provide for us. I recently heard a man declare this truth in song at a funeral for his beloved family member, “For His eye, His eye is on the sparrow, and I know, I know He watches over me” (based on Jesus’ teaching from Matthew 6:26). That comforts me!

Seize the moment and rest in God’s watchful gaze – He has His eye on you because He cares about you, so cast all your anxiety on Him (1 Peter 5:7).

God bless you!

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YOUTUBE:

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