New beginnings - next step, obey His Word

What was the next step for Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the Jewish people who had returned to Jerusalem and the surrounding towns?
They continued with their new beginning by focusing on the Word of God.
They sincerely desired to obey that Word.

Now, how did they know what to do next?
How did they know about the altar and how to set it up? How to prepare the sacrifices for the altar? Let's check out a verse in Ezra 3:

Then Joshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, in accordance with what is written in the Law of Moses the man of God. (v 2)

Here's another clue:

Then in accordance with what is written, they celebrated the Festival of Tabernacles with the required number of burnt offerings prescribed for each day. 5 After that, they presented the regular burnt offerings, the New Moon sacrifices and the sacrifices for all the appointed sacred festivals of the Lord, as well as those brought as freewill offerings to the Lord. (v 4-5)

"In accordance with what is written..." Another translation reads, "according to the ordinance." They took the scriptures that they had access to very seriously. They didn't make things up, or just put something together haphazardly, according to their own preferences. They didn't assign a committee to take a poll or survey, and find out what the people wanted to do.
They went back to the Word of God and they obeyed it.
They knew the words of Moses, delivering God's message:

Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you. (Deuteronomy 4:1)

I don't have a crystal ball to look back there, but I kinda wonder if the old ways of worship may have seemed too "old fashioned" to some of the people? Maybe the younger folks thought it was a bit out of step? Why not explore a more contemporary way of meeting with God? Bring in some new ideas and liven things up?
As my grandma used to say, "young whippersnappers" think they know best, and they certainly chafe sometimes at having to follow the instructions and traditions of the older folks. They can ask "why" more times than a three year old!
They could have resisted. They could have pushed for their own way.
But they didn't.
They focused on the blessing that God had brought them safely back to their homeland.
They focused on seeking His forgiveness.
And then they focused on obeying what they heard read from His Word.

Now, there's nothing wrong with contemporary music and forms of worship - that's not why I mentioned it. As long as it does not violate scripture. Just because it's "old" or traditional, doesn't mean that it's bad, and we can say the same thing of new and innovative ways of worship, too. Music? Some of the old hymns contain awe-inspiring theology, and the younger folks should learn them, enjoy them, and pass them along. Some of the older hymns can easily be forgotten. Some of the new songs we hear today are solid and edifying; we can learn them, enjoy them, and pass them along. Some are theologically shallow and can be forgotten.
Whether it's music or anything else, we need to evaluate by this standard: does it line up with Scripture, and does it glorify God as He's revealed in His Word? Lastly, does it promote holiness in His people?

We can do well to use Ezra, Zerubbabel, and Jeshua as our examples . . . when it comes to how we live as His people, we should go to God's Word and obey what it tells us. God's moral commandments don't adapt to the changing moral standards of our times. He hasn't softened His views on premarital sex, on homosexuality, or on sin versus holiness -- in spite of what our modern society and some churches may say. His Word plainly declares:

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (II Corinthians 7:1)

The point of this post today is that they all joined in worship at the altar. They all obeyed the Word. They prepared and celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles, and they offered sacrifices in the way that pleased God. Their hearts were joined in unity and the desire to obey Him.
If we want a new beginning with God today, it's available! We can begin at the cross, and then walk in obedience to His Word.

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28)

Blessed is the one    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take    or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,    and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,    which yields its fruit in seasonand whose leaf does not wither—    whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3)

We are offered a new beginning each day by our Savior. Anyone going to take Him up on His offer?
Count me in!!