Episode Summary: S4: Week 27 Day 1: Annotating Ezra 3:10-11

Podcast: A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace
Host/Author: The Daily Grace Co.
Episode: Season 4, Week 27, Day 1
Release Date: June 30, 2025
Study Focus: Ezra 3:10-11 and Ephesians 2:11-12
Theme: Believers as the New Temple with Jesus as the Cornerstone

Introduction

In this episode of A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace, the hosts continue their Season 4 journey through the "Christ in All of Scripture" reading plan. Although the usual co-host, Beth, is on maternity leave, Emma joins the discussion to delve into this week's study. The episode focuses on Ezra 3:10-11 and draws connections to Ephesians 2:11-12, emphasizing the concept of believers being the new temple with Jesus as the cornerstone.

Passage Reading and Context

Emma reads Ezra 3:10-11:

"When the builders had laid the foundation of the Lord's temple, the priests dressed in their robes and holding trumpets, and the Levites descended from Asaph holding symbols, took their positions to praise the Lord as King David of Israel had instructed. They sang with praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, for he is good. His faithful love to Israel endures forever. Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord because the foundation of the Lord's house had been laid."
— Ezra 3:10-11 (MM:01:15)

Key Discussions and Insights

1. Character of the Lord: Goodness and Faithful Love

Emma highlights the passage's focus on God's character:

"The focus is on God's goodness and the focus is on God's faithful love for the people, which is often referred to as steadfast love throughout scripture.”
— Emma (MM:01:54)

She emphasizes how intentional praise in Scripture reveals specific attributes of God, encouraging believers to recognize and celebrate His enduring love and goodness.

2. The Importance of Praise

Emma observes the repetition of the word "praise" within the passage:

"Praise is mentioned in this passage three times... it shows us that we should be praising the Lord frequently."
— Emma (MM:03:30)

She reflects on the significance of consistent praise, questioning personal habits and encouraging listeners to make praise a regular response to God's actions in their lives.

Host 2 echoes this sentiment:

"I feel like you could almost hear the praise as you're reading this passage... a super amazing response to God's faithful love."
— Host 2 (MM:03:14)

The discussion underscores the communal and individual importance of worship, especially in moments of foundational significance, such as laying the temple's foundation.

3. Believers as the New Temple

The hosts draw parallels between the physical temple described in Ezra and believers' role as the new temple in Ephesians, with Jesus as the cornerstone. This connection reinforces the theme of unity and the centrality of Christ in both Old and New Testaments.

Reflections and Applications

Both hosts reflect on personal spiritual practices:

• Emma contemplates the frequency of her praise, recognizing a desire to praise God more consistently.

  "Am I recognizing his faithful love to me? I probably don't do that often enough throughout my life."
  — Emma (MM:03:14)

• Host 2 shares a similar introspection, striving to cultivate a worshipful response in daily life.

These reflections serve as a call to listeners to evaluate and enhance their own worship habits, aligning with the passage's emphasis on continual praise.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with an invitation to listeners to join the next day's study, promising a deeper dive into Ezra 3:10-11. The hosts encourage engagement with additional resources available on the Daily Grace website and invite listeners to follow their social media for further Bible study tools and encouragement.

Notable Quotes:

• "The focus is on God's goodness and the focus is on God's faithful love for the people... These qualities about the Lord are so important and teach us about who he truly is."
  — Emma (MM:01:54)

• "Praise is mentioned in this passage three times... it shows us that we should be praising the Lord frequently."
  — Emma (MM:03:30)

• "I feel like you could almost hear the praise as you're reading this passage... a super amazing response to God's faithful love."
  — Host 2 (MM:03:14)

Join Us Tomorrow: Don't miss the continuation of this week's study as we further explore Ezra 3:10-11 and uncover more about believers being the new temple with Jesus as our cornerstone.

For more resources, visit thedailygraceco.com and follow Daily Grace on Instagram for daily Bible study tools and encouragement.