This post is Day 12 in a series of studies about “Separation”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Separation – Day 12

God reads our thoughts, sees our attitudes. He knows when we are going along with the practices of the world. And He rewards those who do not go along with them. Is He calling you today, to separate yourself, maybe just for a short time, in order to seek Him?

Ezra 6:21

So the Israelites who had returned from the exile ate the Passover Lamb, together with all who had separated themselves from the unclean practices of their Gentile neighbours in order to seek the LORD, the God of Israel.

The Thought

All through the wilderness wanderings and after, the Israelites were called to be separate and not mix their blood with the non-Jewish nations. This was because the other nations were idol worshippers, and God knew that all people were vulnerable and would easily be led astray. He wanted His people to stay separate. He still does. He doesn’t want us contaminated by “the world”.

Because of the people’s unfaithfulness, they had been taken into exile to Babylon, by king Nebuchadnezzar, but much later, the Persian king Cyrus was sympathetic to the Jewish cause and allowed people to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. They succeeded and our verse today refers to the celebration of the first Passover after their return.

But one of the important things to notice in the verse today is that only those who had “separated themselves” could be part of that celebration.

What a time of rejoicing it must have been, and what a reward for those who had “separated themselves”.

God reads our thoughts, and sees our attitudes. He knows when we are going along with the practices of the world. And He rewards those who don’t. Is He calling you today, to separate yourself, maybe just for a short time, in order to seek Him? He will repay you for your sacrifice, and He will bless the work of your hands as you make the right choices. He is still calling for a Holy Nation set apart for Him.

Action

Read Ezra 6 today and rejoice in the way God used non-Jewish rulers to help His people.

Thank Him that He has chosen you to be a part of the Holy Nation He is still building.

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