Live and Learn

It is good to learn from past mistakes. That fact that any sufferings or difficulties we endured were not in vain, but taught us a lesson is a good thing. It would seem that for now, the exiles who returned to their homeland were starting off on a good note. They built an altar and began to worship God. They did not fall into their old habits; the ones that brought them to defeat.

They realized the importance of obeying God and loving him from the heart, not out of habit. They knew the previous 70 years of captivity were a result of their rebellious ways. They came to see their selfish and sinful hearts did not benefit them.

The returning Jews built an altar as one of their first official acts; symbolizing God's presence and protection. They did this before the new temple had been constructed.

Ezra 3:6 (NIV)
  On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD, though the foundation of the LORD's temple had not yet been laid.  

Think of a lesson you learned the hard way.  Were there consequences even though you really did learn a lesson?  Probably.  Were they fun to go through?  No way!   A lesson learned is time well spent even if there were penalties involved.

We all learn from our mistakes, which is one reasons we allow our children some freedom as they venture through life.  We know they will not always do everything just right, but they will learn and grow from the experiences you allow them to have.

All the time the Israelite people were in captivity, God loved them. When we are feeling the brunt of our actions and weeding our way though whatever punishment doled out, God loves us too.  But He loves us too much to let us stay the way we are.

Ezra 3:1-6