SCRIPTURE: EZRA 1
INTRODUCTION:
The Book of Ezra tells about the return of Jews from exile in Babylon. Cyrus, king of Persia had began his rise to power by unifying the Medes and Persians into a strong empire. In 539 BC, he conquered Babylon and established the Persian empire. In 539 BC, Cyrus, king of Persia allowed the people of Israel to go back to Jerusalem. Under the leadership Zerubbabel, the people began rebuilding the temple and resumed sacrifices. The temple was completed in 515 BC and the 70 year of captivity was ended.
‘EZRA” means “help”. Ezra was a man of prayer who was greatly burned for the spiritual welfare of his people. He was the priest, a scribe who returned to Jerusalem in 458 BC with two thousand Jews including some Levites to help in the temple ministry after Zerubbabel . The king appointed Ezra to the second immigration to Jerusalem because he had knowledge of scripture and God-given wisdom to teach people God’s word, He was a humble and obedient helper who committed himself to serving the Lord. Upon learning of intermarriage between God’s people and their pagan neighbor, he wept and prayed for the nation and led it to national renewal and revival.
The emphasis in Ezra is on trusting God for a new beginning and doing his Word – no matter what obstacle and opposition are encountered because God is there to guide, protect and help.
CYRUS HELPS THE EXILES TO RETURN (vs. 1-11)
Cyrus, king of Persia made a proclamation allowing the Israelites to go back to Jerusalem and build a temple. And the people of any place where survivors may now be living are to provide silver and gold, goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem. (vs. 2-4). Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites – everyone whose heart God had moved – prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings. King Cyrus brought out the articles belonging to the temple of the Lord which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his god. He told the treasurer Mithredath to give Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah the following: gold dishes – 30; silver dishes – 1,000; silver pans – 29; gold bowls – 30; matching silver bowls – 410; other articles – 1,000. In all, there were 5,400 articles of gold and of silver. Sheshbazzar brought all these from Babylon to Jerusalem.
THOUGHTS:
King Cyrus had began his rise to power by unifying the Medes and Persians into a strong empire. In 539 BC, he conquered Babylon and established the Persian empire. Persians had a relax policy towards their captives. King Cyrus treated the inhabitants with mercy and allowed the Jews to return to their homeland and build their temple. He gave them protection, money and temple articles taken by Nebuchadnezzar. Although Cyrus was not a Jew but God worked through him to fulfill his prophecy. When you face difficult situation and feel overpowered or outcast, remember that God’s power is not limited to your resources. He is able to use anyone to carry out His plans.
The proclamation made by king Cyrus permitted to Jews to work together in accomplishing the huge task of rebuilding the temple. Some did the building, others contributed the supplies. It required teamwork to accomplish the task. When we serve the Lord, we should do it faithfully as a team member no matter who gets the credit.
Cyrus was king over the entire region that had once been Assyria and Babylon. Assyria had deported the Israelites from the northern kingdom while Babylon took captives from the southern kingdom. Cyrus’ proclamation was applicable to the 12 tribes but only Judah and Benjamin responded and returned to rebuild God’s temple. The 10 tribes of the northern kingdom had been so fractured and depressed by the Assyrians. Many did not know their real heritage. So they were unwilling to share in the vision of rebuilding the temple.
Many Jews chose not to go to Jerusalem. They preferred to remain in Babylon because the journey back to Jerusalem was difficult, dangerous and expensive. It needed over 4 months and travel conditions were poor with hostile people living in the surroundings. Besides, many Jews in captivity had accumulated great wealth and returning to Jerusalem would mean giving up everything they had and starting over. They preferred wealth, security and comfort than to sacrifice for God’s work. We must not let our comfort, security or material possessions prevent us from doing God’s work.
Although Nebuchadnezzar had ransacked the temple and took many valuable furnishings with him, God still protected every article of gold and silver. After many years had passed, God delivered them the temple articles back to his people. We may be discouraged by events in life, but we must never give up our hope in God’s promise to us.