Ezra: the journey back

Today we begin the chapter of Ezra, written as the people return to the land of Israel from Babylon 48 years after Nebuchadnezzar led them away as captives.

Ezra Chapter One

In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled Jeremiah's prophecy by stirring the heart of Cyrus to put out a proclamation and send it throughout his kingdom. In it, the King says that the Lord, God of heaven gave him all the kingdoms and appointed him to build the Lord a Temple in Jerusalem. He asks those who are his people to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild this Temple. And further, the King asks that those who live in any place where Jewish survivors were found, should contribute to their expenses by giving them silver and gold, supplies, livestock and a free-will offering for the Temple in Jerusalem.

Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. And all their neighbors gave the many things the king asked for, in addition to freewill offering.

King Cyrus brought the valuable items which King Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Temple and placed in a temple of his own gods, and directed Mithredath, the treasurer of Persia, to count the items and present them to Sheshbazzar, the leader of the exiles returning to Judah. The list of items can be found in verses 9-10.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Both the Babylonians and the Persians had a relaxed policy toward their captives. Many Jews such as Daniel, Mordecai, and Esther, rose to prominent positions within the nation. Jeremiah had prophesied that the Jews would remain captives for 70 years. But that period could be calculated in different ways: 1. from the time of captivity until the altar was rebuilt, or 2. from the destruction of the Temple until the new Temple was finished. It should be noted that many Jews did not return to their homeland because the journey was difficult, dangerous and expensive. Travel conditions were poor and the surrounding countryside was in ruins and people there were hostile.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? It shows us that God worked Cyrus, who was not a Jew, to return the people to Jerusalem. God' s power is not limited, he can use anyone to carry out his plan. God also moved the hearts of leaders and family heads, priests, and Levites. Major changes took place on the inside as attitudes lead to faithful actions. The people had been humbled and their desires changed. Just as today, God can work in the hearts of us and change our ways and give us the desire to follow him more closely. When you feel him tug at your heart, don't deny him! HE is your strength and salvation!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother whose cancer has returned and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them.
And pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.
Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.
Update on Marthaline Sargent. She lost her battle with health problems and passed away last Tuesday. Our condolences to her son Patrick and daughter Stacey. Continue to pray for her husband Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.
Pray for John’s recovery from a heart attack and pray he can stop smoking.
Pray for Debbie who this week lost her home in a fire.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.