Ben Zornes, Author at Ben Zornes

Wise Master Builder #1 | Reading History Rightly

by Ben Zornes · Sep 15, 2025

Introduction

If you’ve ever had the misfortune of assembling a piece of IKEA furniture, you know the challenge of making sure you get each piece in the right spot. There’s no room for imagination when it comes to the parts. You would be indignant if someone had purposefully wrongly labeled all the parts. Unbelieving man has imagined that he can infallibly interpret the story of the world, with no regard for how the Author of the story has structured the story. This is like assembling the furniture with all the pieces mislabelled.

What does this story of exiles returning to rebuild their city have to do with us? As we work through Ezra and Nehemiah, we will repeatedly see a few things. First, God’s hand of providence moves in unexpected ways to provide for and protect His people. Second, God’s Word is what gives God’s people life and energy for the work He’s called them to. Third, the work of reformation is work, and though it is full of danger, it is also glorious.

The Text

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem. […]
Ezra 1:1ff

Summary of the Text

Around 100 years prior to Cyrus’ birth, Isaiah had foretold that a king named Cyrus would bring about the restoration of Jerusalem (Is. 44:28). Ezra begins by rooting his record of the Jews’ restoration to Jerusalem in the prophecy of Jeremiah 29:10. The captives had been taken to Babylon in three separate “waves” beginning around 605BC. The Lord who stirred up the nations against Jerusalem for her idolatries, now stirs up the spirit of Cyrus to shepherd God’s people back to their inheritance (v1). The Cyrus Cylinder is an artifact, discovered in the late 1800s, which is a proclamation promising support for restoring the temples of the peoples which Persia had conquered. This is a wonderful corroboration of the Biblical record found here in our text. God had given Cyrus the nations, and now God stirs Cyrus to be the means of fulfilling the promised restoration of the Lord’s house (v2). Cyrus welcomes the Jews to commence this project of rebuilding the house of the Lord God of Israel (v3). He also sends out a fundraising letter, particularly to the remnant, to contribute to the project by way of free will offerings of silver, gold, goods, and beasts (v4). There are echoes here of the Hebrews’ plundering of Egypt in Exodus.

In response to this summons from a pagan king, a group of Jewish leaders arise, namely, chief fathers of Judah and Benjamin, along with a few priests and Levites. These families were themselves “stirred up” in their spirit by the Lord (v5). Those willing to pioneer the work back in Jerusalem were strengthened by the support of those who decided to stay put (v6). While we might be tempted to look down on those who remained behind, God was laying the groundwork, even in this, for the construction of His house which would fill all the world (Eph. 2:21).

Cyrus commanded that the temple vessels be taken from the treasuries of the gods, where Nebuchadnezzar had stored them, and give them to this contingent of Jews, led by Sheshbazzar (vv7-11). Ezra is clearly fond for detail, and his thoroughness is on display here in recording all that was recovered. Sheshbazzar is very likely the Babylonian name for Zerubbabel, the heir of David’s throne. We learn in the next chapter that Zerubbabel led this first wave of returning Jews (2:2). Ezra invites us to see that in mysterious ways God is moving.

Potentate of Time

In that wonderful hymn Crown Him With Many Crowns we find a wonderful title for God: the Potentate of time. Ezra and Nehemiah show us this truth quite clearly. The stage is being set for the NT. The scribal tradition of Ezra brought out the best (Paul) and the worst (Pharisaical pride) in Israel. We also see that those Jews who remained in their various settlements prepared the ground for the seed of the Gospel to be cast by the Apostles. The Magi who brought gifts to the Christ child had learned of the star which would hail the birth of the Messiah King from these exiled Jews. Matthew informs us that Zerubbabel is one of the ancestors of Christ (Mt. 1:13). Isaiah foretold Cyrus’ magnanimous work to rebuild God’s house. Jeremiah too foresaw God’s hand upon the steering wheel of world events.

God really is sovereign over all the movements of humanity. History is not the incoherent ravings of a lunatic. History is the display of God’s purposes continually being brought to pass. This is lesson we persistently forget to our peril. So then, if we are to read our own moment in history rightly it must be by beginning with this fact. God is the potentate of time. He is the Lord of History. He is the emperor over every circumstance. Generations come and go. Each getting a short sentence in this epic story. In our pride we presume we can finish the entire story ourselves. Nations and empires proclaim, “The sun shall never set on the glory of Rome.” Britannia’s reign shall never fall. The glory of the Mongols shall never be surpassed. We have left the age of myths behind, and now live in the undying eon of Science. The splendor of Taylor Swift shall never be rivaled.

But as CS Lewis pointed out “A story is precisely the sort of thing that cannot be understood till you have heard the whole of it.” To read history rightly requires you to live by faith in the God of history. We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28).

Stirred Up

In this first wave of rebuilding Jerusalem, we see God stirring up both a pagan king and His own people. God had shaken the entire world through the various conquests of Assyria and Babylon and now the Persians. But because God is governs history, He also governs the men in history. He stirs up men to accomplish his purposes. From our perspective this looks messy. He stirs up great men and small men. He stirs up His people. He raises up kings and brings them low. Good men are martyred by deranged men of lawlessness. Wicked men seemingly find loopholes in justice, while the righteous are persecuted.

But this is what it means to walk by faith. To us the world is a sea full of billows and waves. From heaven, that sea is calm and clear as crystal. Here on earth wicked men seem to go unchecked, unhindered, unimpeded. The Word, however, assures us that the Lord will avenge His elect speedily. God is at work in history to make all things brilliantly shine with the glory of the Lord Jesus who died to redeem us from the wreckage which sin brought into this world.

The Work Before US

Consider the work which God stirred up His people to do. It was hard work. The sieges had left the city in wreckage. The exiles had become rather prosperous in their new home, and uprooting was a significant sacrifice. The poor had been left to suffer in Jerusalem, so the returning exiles would have to labor to care for these impoverished saints. The economy of Jerusalem was in shambles. The culture disorganized. The city itself a crater. The worship of Jehovah was neglected. Every sphere of life in Jerusalem––religious, political, economic––was about as bad as it could get. Yet God had purposed to build His Kingdom of Heaven here on earth, and He would not be thwarted. Thus, God moves in quite unexpected ways to bring His purposes to pass. A pagan king nurtures God’s people and sets them to work building God’s house.

We are at a similar moment. God has been shaking our nation, in order that only that which is unshakable may remain. As God’s people, we must be prepared to follow the mysterious movements of God as He stirs the events of history. This is a summons to be ready to rise up and build. It is a summons to plead with Jehovah to move upon the hearts of our civil magistrates, from President to Mayor, to defend the Church of Christ. It is a summons to devote yourself and your family, with sacrificial courage, to build the house of the Lord.

So, what is this story that God is telling? A people in exile. A city in ruins. A King of all nations commissioning the house of God to be rebuilt. And a son of David arising to restore God’s people and lead them to build and be a house for God to dwell in. That is the story that God has always been telling.

Charge and Benediction

You’ve probably heard the phrase “Know what time it is” thrown around in recent weeks. We really are at a flash point in our nation’s history. But, while it is good to know what time it is, it is far more important to know Who governs all time. See God’s hand behind all these twists and turns of providence, and let that stir you up to pray and to work in true faith that Christ is both Savior of the world and King of it.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
Jude 1:24-25

Misusing God’s Gifts

by Ben Zornes · Sep 10, 2025

Many a parent has been mortified to discover a mischievous toddler misusing some toy or or household tool. Dad’s golf clubs make a great axe to fell the oak tree. Mom’s make-up is wonderful finger paint for the bathroom tiles. Perhaps the worst example of this is when you get your child a gift, and then they use it as a weapon against their annoying little brother.

A gift of kindness is horrific when misused for evil. This is precisely the sort of misuse of God’s gifts that the prophets frequently rebuked. Ezekiel put it this way, “Thou hast set mine oil and mine incense before [your idols]. My meat also which I gave thee, fine flour, and oil, and honey, wherewith I fed thee, thou hast even set it before them for a sweet savour (Eze 16:18-19).” God kindly gave Israel the various sacrifices and ordinances. But don’t forget that in His immense kindness, He also gave them a land where such wheat, oil, and wine could be readily cultivated. He commanded the sacrifices and provided them the sacrificial materials as well. It’s like when your child buys you a present with money you gave them.

The Supper is no different. The Lord Jesus ordained this remembrance supper for us, and then supplies us with a world in which bread and wine are in abundance. But if we come to this table in presumption, pride, or unbelief, how great is our condemnation? Coming in such vain unbelief is misusing both His sacramental sign, and the very materials of that sign.

Bread and wine were given to us so we could use them to glorify God, in both ordinary life and at this covenant table. God has both commanded and provided this feast. Don’t misuse it through thoughtlessness, self-righteousness, pride, or box-checking. Don’t take this kindness of God, and use it for your own flattery.

Instead, come in faith and welcome to Jesus Christ…

Word & Water

by Ben Zornes · Sep 9, 2025

Word and water go together. God’s creation word went forth, and the waters of creation were separated. In Noah’s days, God’s word of judgement went forth, and in due time the destroying floodwaters deluged that wicked world. God’s covenant word promised Abraham Canaan, and Abraham began digging wells. God’s word of deliverance came to Moses, and then Israel passed through the divided Red Sea.

These all foreshadow baptism. The Word of the Gospel is promised to all who believe, and then, by these waters, God confirms that word. The Word speaks new creation, destruction of wickedness, covenant blessings, and deliverance from evil, and the water of baptism pours down to assure us that God really means what He says. The Word promises, the water performs. The Word declares, the water demonstrates. The Word speaks, the water seals. The Word says, “Come unto me and be washed clean,” and these covenant waters signify a cleansed conscience. The Gospel Word has been promised to our children’s children. And here the water follows that glorious Word.

So welcome our brother to Jesus Christ…

Confession Because of Kindness

by Ben Zornes · Sep 8, 2025

You have been gathered to worship the true God. Not God as we imagine Him to be. Man frequently fancies that God is like us. We project onto God what we want Him to be like. We want a god that flatters us, a god that confirms to us that our judgment is flawless.

You have come before the God who is perfect in justice. But this is not the same thing as saying you have come before the God who wants to squish you like a bug. You come before the God who is immutable, which means that His justice and His mercy are perfect, and not at all out of proportion. We too often imagine that God is as severe, harsh, and capricious as human justice often is. Parents too often discipline their children out of anger or annoyance. The legal system ensnares the innocent, and gives loopholes to the guilty.

But you worship the God who is inflexibly holy, while also unimaginably kind. You worship the God with whom is abundant redemption for those who have transgressed His law. This must shape how you think about what you do when you confess your sins; you aren’t coming to grovel. You come to the God who loves you, and has, in His immense kindness, made a way for all your sins to be forgiven and forgotten. God wants to blot out all your sins.

Even in the courts of King Saul who was afflicted by an evil spirit, the songs of David reverberated. Such kindness is beyond our comprehension. But this kindness is what actually allows you to be entirely honest about your sin. He knows it all, He saw what you did, He discerned your inner thoughts, and yet still He warmly invites you to come to Him, confess it all and be assured that it is entirely forgiven.

The Centrality of the Throne (An Exhortation to DC)

by Ben Zornes · Sep 4, 2025

The central symbol of the book of Revelation is that of the Throne of God. Almost every chapter depicts Christ enthroned above all things; despite raging beasts, ravening demons, and disastrous cataclysms. One theologian remarked, “The central fact of heaven is not angelic bliss but the absolute authority of God over heaven and earth as symbolized in the Throne.”

You are to live in light of this central fact of Christ’s sovereign rule and reign over all powers and principalities. This truth comforts us as the church faces the raging of her enemies. Whether it be foul-mouthed protestors, plotting globalists, or deranged lunatics, the saints know that the world is governed by Jesus Christ.

The saints certainly face fearful enemies. But when you give way to anxious fears you are living as if Christ did not hold the scepter of the cosmos. Not only should we not fear such enemies, Jesus instructed us to rejoice that God has counted us worthy of suffering for His name’s sake.

How then do you order your life, family, and culture in submission to the throne of Christ? You don’t come to the throne by skipping past the cross. You don’t get to glory in Christ’s throne if you are still treasuring the shame of your sin. Christianity is rightly symbolized by the cross. Because the central message of Christianity is: die that you might live. Humble yourself, that God might raise you up. The cross leads to the throne. Remember that what John saw on the throne was a slain Lamb.

This is why confession of sins is integral to our worship. You are a great sinner, but Christ is a great Savior. The marvelous vision of Christ on His throne is how Scripture concludes. In order to partake of that glory of Christ’s throne, you must first be crucified with Christ by faith and true repentance.

The Holy Spirit is a General Contractor

by Ben Zornes · Sep 3, 2025

Introduction

If you’ve ever been involved with a building project, you know that there are any number of setbacks. Finances run dry. Sub-contractors start quarreling. The environmentalists discover there is an endangered snail on the property. Seasoned GC’s will tell you this is just par for the course. This is just the way it is. The Holy Spirit is a General Contractor, and the way He goes about His building project is scandalous, as we see in this text before us.

The Text

And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:17-22

Summary of the Text

Earlier in this chapter, Paul stated earlier that Christ is our peace (v14). He now cites Isaiah’s prophecy of the messianic restoration of Israel (Is. 57:19). His application, though is what is of interest to us; Paul applies it to Christ preaching peace to those far and near (v17). The Prince of peace grants not only Jews but also Gentiles access to the Father by the same Spirit (v18). The Spirit uses Jewish & Gentile bricks in the same building project.

The result of this was that the Ephesian Gentiles are no longer reckoned as strangers. They are full fledged citizens of God’s household; they didn’t need a visitor’s visa (v19). God is building a temple for Himself. A temple that would grow and fill all the earth with worshippers of the triune God. These Gentile believers are comforted with the knowledge that they are not on the reject pile. Rather, they are included in the next row of bricks; all in plumb with the doctrine of both the apostles of Christ, and the prophets of Christ (vv20-21). Consequently, this is an important text for underscoring the hermeneutic of continuity. The Old and New Testament are in agreement and are not at odds with each other. The doctrine of the Word is that of continuity, not discontinuity.

The apostles’ and prophets’ doctrine is itself in conformity to a cornerstone. That stone is Christ (v20). Rejected by the builders, but chosen by God (Cf. Ps. 118:22, 1 Peter 2:4-6). Now, let me draw your notice to the two “in whoms” this chapter closes with. First, in Christ the entire building is “fitly framed” as a unified and growing temple (v21); secondly, in Christ they are built together as God’s dwelling place through the Spirit (v22). Not one brick is out of place (predestination Eph. 1:5, 11); and all the bricks together form a unitary temple dwelling for God (the church/covenant community, Eph. 1:22). The Gospel is not individualistic, but it is for individuals. The Gospel is also not communist, but it does form a covenant community.

The Rock in the Way

As we see here, the Holy Spirit is in the process of assembling an astonishing building project. This building project is a growing temple. It is a temple made out of people. But people are messy. They are made in the image of God, but due to sin, they are hopelessly messy. People don’t get along with each other. But Paul says that the Holy Spirit is building on the cornerstone of Christ with bricks that used to be arch-rivals.

Trying to get a group of people to get along is like trying to get an engine to work without any oil. Inevitably the friction of slights, envies, gripes, and grievances will cause the engine to seize up. But the Spirit of God is building a temple that will one day fill the world with worshippers from every nation, tribe, and tongue that are in fellowship with each other. How will He accomplish this? By Christ’s death which secured God’s peace with man.

Mankind imagines we can build a utopia apart from Christ. But the Lord Jesus Christ is gloriously in the way of all such humanistic projects. The chief priests and the Gentile rulers all inspected this cornerstone and set Him aside. He was not fit, in their eyes, to build a functioning society upon. But the Holy Spirit says, “This is the stone upon which we will build the Lord’s temple.” The Holy Spirit filled the artisans of the tabernacle and temple with skill to build (Ex 31:3, 1 Ki. 7:14).

Is Jesus in Your Way?

There is a poignant application here. Have you come to view Jesus as being in your way? You wouldn’t say it out loud of course, but have you thought something along these lines, “If I confess my sin, won’t that get in the way of my reputation?” We can be tempted to think that some faithful application of God’s Word politically is too difficult because it doesn’t poll well and therefore we should prioritize other matters. You might have an enemy and Christ’s call to love them gets in the way of how gratifying it is to seethe against them. You might say, “Won’t loyalty to Christ be an obstacle to my career, my glory, my comfort, and my prestige?” Of course!

Being a Christian means letting the Holy Spirit tell you what the building materials are. He says the foundation is Jesus. Jesus isn’t in your way, He’s the foundation. The Spirit tells you to strive for unity with the brethren (Eph. 4:3). He also says that your rigid beams of envy are actually rotted through; your nails of bitterness are rusty; your pride and self-righteousness are a terrible option for insulation.

A Growing Temple

The Spirit is overseeing the construction of a temple which grows. Christ is the foundation of the new creation. By faith in Him you are brought into that building project, because you too are made new.

Christian unity is not found on the wobbly stool of self-righteousness, pride, or social action. Christian unity is founded on shared forgiveness for sin. Notice what Jesus’ sermon is: peace. How is that peace brought about? The blood of His cross (Eph. 2:16).

The goal of this building project which the Holy Spirit is overseeing is that you can dwell in a house with the God who is perfectly holy and not be consumed. The Holy Spirit is making arrangements for God and man to dwell together forever. The foundation of that peace between God and man, and by result man with his fellow man, is Christ alone. The Spirit is not confined to one locality. He intends for this temple to grow until it fills the whole world.

Access to the Father

There are two sinful attitudes that need to be dealt with as we think about this building project the Spirit is at work on. The first is the temptation to shrink back from Christ thinking He is not for you. The very reason Christ came is that the Spirit might bring you to God. The second temptation is to sort those who come to God through Christ into two separate lines. As if there were the VIP line, and the line of those who can only press their faces against the window of God’s grace hoping to get in. The Spirit brings both Jew and Gentile to the Father.

The Holy Spirit makes us uncomfortable with how He goes about building this building. He puts people together who we wouldn’t put together. He puts to death our old rivalries. He compels us to love our enemies, and by grace see enemies converted into friends. He makes certain that the entire edifice is in conformity with Christ, all of Christ. He comforts you with the knowledge that He is able to take away all your rough edges and has a spot in the wall of this temple for you. Though all earthly rulers and kings and philosophers expound on their vision for how to shape humanity, the Holy Spirit quietly yet steadily works on to make humanity into a temple for the Living God. He does this in the preaching of Christ and Him crucified. He does this by declaring that it is by grace you are saved through faith. He does this by taking the stone which the builders rejected and insisting that it be the cornerstone. He does this by making everything about the glory of Jesus Christ our Lord.

CHARGE & BENEDICTION

The charge is this, don’t concern yourself with those who in their disdain for Christ pour out their resentment upon God’s people. Such men see Christ as an obstacle, you must see Christ as He is in fact, the true foundation for life. The world will think you’re strange for making your life all about Jesus, but you should think it strange that they’re attempting to build their lives on the foundation of spaghetti noodles.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26

You’re Not Happy Enough

by Ben Zornes · Aug 26, 2025

You aren’t happy enough. God intends for you to be supremely joyful. Not the joy that comes through a sugar rush from birthday party cupcakes. Rather, God invites you into the solid joy of His everlasting perfections.

God marked out time for Israel with festivals. Israel’s calendar danced around seven parties. One theologian observed that in contrast to pagan festivals, and even our modern civic holidays, which all look backward, God’s festivals looked primarily to the future. These holy feasts weren’t sentimental nostalgia bait. Rather, they taught God’s people to long for a glory yet to be revealed. As the Christian calendar took shape after Christ’s coming, it to looks forward.

Time is governed by the hand of God. God has laid up goodness for His people (Ps. 31:19). Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost remind us of God’s invasion into history in order to redeem the entire material world. But they also are like road signs informing us how far until our intended destination. Christ came to remake the world, and our celebrations of His life are intended to stir our hearts to long for the endless party which God has prepared for His chosen people.

Earlier in the service, I noted that God is a covenanting God. Here upon this table is a sign of His oath-taking. His oath to you is that if you come to Him in true faith, you’ll never hunger or thirst again. God wants you to be happy. He’s established celebratory festivals, this meal being one, to draw your gaze to the glorious future of everlasting happiness which God has appointed for you. After all, we take this meal “until He comes”. Time belongs to God. In this festival of Christ which is set before you, your past is redeemed, your present is held by His mercy, and your future of endless celebration is made certain.

So come in faith and welcome to Jesus Christ…