TRUTH LIBERATES

Then we told them accordingly what the names of the men were who were rebuilding this building. Ezra 5:4

I have a friend who, while growing up, considered himself an expert artist. However, he had two problems. First, his art work was often displayed on the house walls with crayon. Second, he never considered his artistic works complete until his name was prominently scribbled next to his masterpiece. This unintentional self-incrimination helped his mother correctly identify the perpetrator and provided an opportunity for my friend to admit his guilt. Truth is liberating!

The Jews who were rebuilding the Temple also understood the power of truth. When their enemies questioned them about who was building the Temple, they readily gave them a list of their names. Just imagine what this admission could cost them. They were willing to have their names sent to King Darius as evidence that they were doing something that a previous king had ordered to stop (Ezra 4:21). How could they do this? I have two thoughts. First, they knew what God had said. God’s prophets had encouraged them to build and they had taken that message to heart. No amount of pressure from the government was going to stop them from doing what God had commanded. Secondly, they knew that an earlier king had granted them the full authorization to build the Temple (Ezra 1:2-4). Knowing the truth emboldened them. Proverbs 28:1b says “the righteous are secure as a lion.” Jesus said, “The truth will make you free” (John 8:32). Do you want freedom? Live the truth!

Philip Moeller