(Ezra 1:1-11) Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying:
2 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has appointed me to rebuild for Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him! Go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 And every survivor, at whatever place he may live, the people of that place are to support him with silver and gold, with equipment and cattle, together with a voluntary offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.’”
5 Then the heads of fathers’ households of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and the Levites rose up, everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem. 6 And all of those around them encouraged them with articles of silver, with gold, with equipment, cattle, and with valuables, aside from everything that was given as a voluntary offering. 7 Also King Cyrus brought out the articles of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and put in the house of his gods; 8 and Cyrus, king of Persia, had them brought out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and he counted them out to Sheshbazzar, the leader of Judah. 9 Now this was their number: thirty gold dishes, a thousand silver dishes, twenty nine duplicates; 10 thirty gold bowls, 410 silver bowls of a second kind, and a thousand other articles. 11 All the articles of gold and silver totaled 5,400. Sheshbazzar brought them all up with the exiles who went up from Babylon to Jerusalem.
(Ezra 2:1-10) Then He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” 2 And as He spoke to me the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet; and I heard Him speaking to me. 3 Then He said to me, “Son of man, I am sending you to the sons of Israel, to a rebellious people who have rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have revolted against Me to this very day. 4 So I am sending you to those who are impudent and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says:’ 5 As for them, whether they listen or not—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And as for you, son of man, you are not to fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; you are not to fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, since they are a rebellious house. 7 But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious.
8 “Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth wide and eat what I am giving you.” 9 Then I looked, and behold, a hand was extended to me; and behold, a scroll was in it. 10 When He spread it out before me, it was written on the front and back, and written on it were songs of mourning, sighing, and woe.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
Here is a marvelous depiction of how God saves us, spiritually feeds us, moves us, and physically empowers us. The Lord created everyone with a free will, because He is love, and love never forces anyone to love back, believe or obey. And because the Lord loves and cares, and desires that all come to know Him, He does reach out to us in ways that will get our attention.
So while the Israelites were still being rebellious, God moved in the heart of a very powerful pagan king to rebuild God's house, and invite the Israelites to join him. From what is written in the book of Daniel, king Cyrus most likely became a believer. Just as Daniel was a witness and testimony to foreign kings and their people, so was Jeremiah, and other prophets like him.
As believers, we are called to be a witness and testimony of the gospel message. It doesn't necessarily mean that we have to go to a foreign country, we can and are to be a light to our neighbors and those around us. And because it is GOOD news, our relationships with and towards unbelievers should not be confrontational. We are to be compassionate, loving, kind and gentle, while standing firm in the Lord, holding fast to His words, and tenderly speaking truth without fear as we are given opportunities.
God's words are written out for us, so that we can clearly understand and know! And as the Lord leads us, we do not have anything to fear! When and as we ask for His strength, help, guidance and wisdom, the Lord will empower us and equip us to do what He calls us to do. God still works miracles!!!
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