Eza 6:21 It was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and also by every one who had joined them and separated himself from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to worship the Lord, the God of Israel. (ESV)
The temple is finished. God has protected and provided for this work. Living in Babylonia the People of God had no expectation of every eating the Passover in the Temple. They lived far away and the temple lay in ruins. Yet here they are with a newly finished temple celebrating Passover. What I find interesting in this verse is that they didn't eat it alone.
Other people had joined them, but there were prerequisites. Early in Ezra people had come asking to help with the building of the temple. They claimed that they too served the God of Israel. The Israelis would have nothing to do with them. So why are these people different? The answer is found in the statement that they had "separated (themselves) from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to worship the Lord, the God of Israel."
The Jews had influenced others to abandon their former lifestyle and the uncleanness of the surrounding people in order to worship God. They were functioning as lights to truth in a dark world. That is exactly what they were supposed to do, as are Christians. Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. Let your light shine in such a way that men see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven." Like the Jews, our lives should be lived in such a manner that people see us and choose to follow our God making him their God. We call this conversion, evangelism, or a Great Commission lifestyle.
Father, today may people see Jesus in me. Give me eyes to see the opportunities you give to live and to share the truth of the gospel. May it be true of me, as it was true of the Jews in Ezra, that other people separate themselves from the uncleanness of the world around them to come and worship God in spirit and in truth.
By His grace,
Rick Weinert
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