Today’s Reading: Ezra 1-3:6, 1 Chronicles 9, 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Psalm 126
The Persian Empire grew in power, overthrowing the Babylonians and changing the climate in which the exiled Jews were living. This new leader, King Cyrus, had a policy of setting captives free. And, of course, the timing of this change happened at exactly the time God promised it would.
GOD’S HAND WAS NOT ONLY EVIDENT, IT WAS OBVIOUS.
This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Any of you who are the Lord’s people may go there for this task. And may the Lord your God be with you!” – 2 Chronicles 36:23
God stirred the heart of King Cyrus of Persia to let the Israelites return to Jerusalem for the specific purpose of rebuilding the Temple. Then God stirred the hearts of the priests, Levites and all the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. This stirring of hearts created a culture of generosity. Cyrus generously returned 5400 articles of silver and gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Temple. Those who had lived among the Israelites and who had been their neighbors for so many years also gave generously of silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock. They voluntarily lavished God’s people with valuable gifts to take with them.
GOD’S GENEROSITY WAS NOT ONLY EVIDENT, IT WAS OBVIOUS.
In response to this generosity, the leaders of each family unit among the people of God returning to Jerusalem also gave voluntary offerings, each leader giving as much as they could. God was generous, stirring others’ hearts toward generosity, and the response was the desire of God’s people to also be generous (Ezra 2:68-69).
When God’s people arrived in Jerusalem, they assembled with a unified purpose – to rebuild God’s Temple. During the seventy years that the Israelites had been gone, other people groups had settled into the city, making it their home. God’s people were intimidated by the foreigners who had moved into their city, but they found the courage to rebuild the altar, overcoming their fear in favor of leaning into their faith. They began sacrificing burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord each morning and evening (Ezra 3:3).
Imagine the excitement after all these years to be back home again, offering daily sacrifices to God – dedicating each day to God. The first Festival they celebrated was the Festival of Shelters, reminding the people of God’s guidance and care for His people as they spent 40 years living in tents in the desert as they traveled from exile in Egypt to their new home in the Promised Land. Wow! How significant this must have been to the people as they had just completed their own journey living in tents, traveling from exile in Babylon back home to Jerusalem. God’s timing is always significant!
GOD’S PROVISION WAS NOT ONLY EVIDENT, IT WAS OBVIOUS.
When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem,
it was like a dream!
We were filled with laughter,
and we sang for joy.
And the other nations said,
“What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us!
What joy!
Restore our fortunes, Lord,
as streams renew the desert.
Those who plant in tears
will harvest with shouts of joy.
They weep as they go to plant their seed,
but they sing as they return with the harvest. – Psalm 126
What a great reminder for us today! Father God, help us to always trust your timing and recognize your hand at work in our lives. Lord, we celebrate all of the amazing things you have done and are doing in our lives. We trust you for what is to come, even when it seems far away. We pray that you will create a stirring in our lives, reminding us that you are on the move. May others see our lives and say, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” Amen.