Reading:  Ezra 1-3
Posted:  September 25, 2014


From today's reading I gather several points:
1.  God is faithful.   Everything that He said He would do, He has done.   The exiles are returning, 70 years after they were captured, just as He said.
2.  God supplies the need.   The golden bowls and goblets and other articles that were used in the temple have survived for 70 years and three different kings.  They haven't been melted down for incorporation into some other idol.   I imagine that there was far more taken from the original temple than was returned...but that anything is returned is nothing short of a miracle.
3.  God is in charge of the hearts of men.   He knew Cyrus by name before Cyrus was born.  Jeremiah tells us that Cyrus will release the people to travel home.   God works in and through the hearts of men to bring about His will.   No one is beyond Him.
4,  Israel, and Jerusalem in particular are very important to God.   Honestly, I have no idea why.  I have visited this area, and it isn't much different than other places on earth.  It isn't any more beautiful, and it has several disadvantages (rugged terrain, sparse vegetation, etc.).   But for some reason this is the most favored spot on earth for God Himself.   And, I think you can sense it when you walk around there.

I find it interesting that the people immediately began to offer sacrifices on the vacant temple mount.  But strategically, that is absolutely the best thing they can do.  If God is pleased with them, and the glory of God surrounds them, then everything they put their hand to will be blessed.   The most important thing they can do is to acquire God's favor and direction.  It speaks to their dedication and priorities that they immediately went to work on the temple.  (of course, that isn't the end of the story).

Some of the people who return have lost their family pedigree.  They no longer remember what family they came from....or they can't prove it.   Some families do not return with the exiles.  I guess I can understand the dilemma.   They have settled for two or three generations in a new land, and have become comfortable and perhaps successful.  Why uproot everyone to go to a "foreign land" where others are occupying the towns and don't want us there?   Why put the whole family through that?    They left violently, with much sadness.   But now that their ancestors have the chance to return, they aren't 100% sold on the idea.      They have been away from home so long they don't know where home is.   They don't recognize the incredible privilege that has been given to them.    People from all over the earth, for many generations, have longed to be part of Israel, and live in Jerusalem.

Sadly, I think we may have symptoms of the same disease.  We  have lived among the sinful for so long we don't realize that we are people from another kingdom.  Now that it's time to begin the journey back to our original home, some drag their feet.  "why go?" they say.  "it's comfortable here.   Besides, the journey will be long and hard, and I don't prefer that kind of life."

Interesting parallel, don't you think?

PR