Ezra - God's Provision

For this past week (Jan 21) we studied Ezra, chps 1-5. We thought it was a big step up from 2 chapters, but it wasn't really that bad once you got into it. Here are some of the nuggets of truth and inspiration that I got:

Right off in v. 1 our socks are blown off by the fact that In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the word of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The Lord put it into the mind of King Cyrus to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom and to put it in writing: This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build Him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever is among His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. Let every survivor, wherever he lives, be assisted by the men of that region with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem.”

Jeremiah 25:11-12 (written several years prior to this event) tells us This whole land will become a desolate ruin, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for 70 years. When the 70 years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation’—[this is] the Lord’s declaration—‘the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, and I will make it a ruin forever.

We read in Isaiah 45:13 I have raised [Cyrus] up in righteousness, and will level all roads for him. He will rebuild My city, and set My exiles free, not for a price or a bribe,” says the Lord of Hosts. Since that verse comes so many books after Ezra you may not realize it, but this prophecy was actually spoken 150 years before Cyrus was even born! Before the Jews were even taken into exile!

It gets better! What really struck me, and several other team members, was v. 4 where the King tells the other people to provide for the Jews whatever he needs to return...that is just the way so many of have been provided for. From monetary contributions to supplies to prayer, we have been blessed over and over with what we need double fold! And it encourages us in the areas we are still nervous about (mainly, luggage!) that He is going to provide for that somehow.

Chapter 2 is a long list of names of people who came, lists that some get bored with a skip over. The thing that struck me about it was just another example of how detailed and orderly God is. And a reminder that somewhere in God's Book of Life my name is written down. We also found it interesting that so many who claimed to be priests but whose family records could not be found still were able to come, until there was a priest who could determine their lineage.

In chapter 3 they finally get on with rebuilding of the altar. They set up the altar on its foundation and offered burnt offerings for the morning and evening on it to the Lord even though they feared the surrounding peoples. Even though they were afraid, they still kept at it. They knew it was most important to get the altar done so they could begin offering sacrifices again. Says, Jamieson, Faussett, & Brown, This was of urgent and immediate necessity, in order, first, to make atonement for their sins; secondly, to obtain the divine blessing on their preparations for the temple. After the altar is built and sacrifices made, they get on to rebuilding the temple. As the foundation is finished, the younger set began praising God and cheering, while the older set (those who probably remembered Solomon's temple) were weeping loudly, both for joy and for heartbreak. Wesley tells us that The mixture of sorrow and joy here, is a representation of this world. In heaven all are singing and none sighing; in hell all are wailing, and none rejoicing: but here on earth we can scarce discern the shouts of joy from the noise of the weeping.

Then comes chapter 4 where the trouble starts. The enemies of Judah and Benjamin tried to come and help them, but they wouldn't let them, saying “You may have no part with us in building a house for our God, since we alone must build it for the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia has commanded us.” Needless to say, that did not go over well and they began to discourage the Jews. They wrote a letter to the current King encouraging him to have the Jews cease building immediately. Since the King was far away and had no idea about the whole picture, he agreed and sent a letter saying thus. This brought up an interesting point to me, esp what Wesley had to say...As they abused the king by their misinformations, in the obtaining of this order, so they abused him in the execution of it; for the order was only to prevent the walling of the city. But having power in their hands, they, on this pretense, stopt the building of the temple. See what need we have to pray, not only for kings, but for all in authority under them: because the quietness of our lives depends much on the integrity and wisdom of inferior magistrates as well as the supreme. In this election year we not only need to pray for our future (and present!) president, but also those serving under him. Matthew Henry also tells us Every attempt to revive true religion will stir up the opposition of Satan.

And then we get to chapter 5. Here we are about 15 years later and Haggai and Zechariah have come and prophesied to the people to get back to work. (Time wise you could stick the book of Haggai right here) This time they were still afraid, but they were strengthened, knowing God was watching over them. This reminds us, according to Matthew Henry, that While employed in God's work, we are under his special protection; his eye is upon us for good. This should keep us to our duty, and encourage us therein, when difficulties are ever so discouraging. (Hhm..this one might be good to remember during weak times of our fast!) Another letter was sent to the new King, but this time it was sent more so to inquire as to if what the Jews had said was correct, that indeed King Cyrus had given them permission and all the supplies needed. Of course, we know he did, but they didn't.

And thus ends what we have so far on Ezra. I thought we would plug right along with the final part of Ezra for this week, but instead we have leaped over the Zechariah -- the whole book! I have had a lot of trouble getting into it (lots of visions, etc) but slowly the Lord is dropping the blinders and letting me see.