January 15 Daily Discovery
January 15 Daily Discovery
Read Ezra Chapter 1
God is Always God
The book of Ezra contains the record of the rebuilding of the temple at Jerusalem which was commissioned by Cyrus, king of Persia.
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Ezra 1:1-2
Cyrus was a pagan king. He did not worship the God of the Hebrews, but he did acknowledge that their God was the God of Gods.
He identifies the LORD as the God of the land of Judah, but also as the LORD God of heaven. Pagains worshipped "territorial gods". Their gods were attached to certain geographical kingdoms. This is most likely a result of some of the higher fallen angels interactions with the peoples of the lands. These beings had been assigned specific areas over which they were to "watch", hence, they were sometimes referred to as watchers. The book of Enoch explains this further.
He was a "tolerant" king and acknowledged the gods of the nations other than his own god.
God sets up kings and he takes them down. He called Cyrus "His anointed".
Read Isaiah 45.
Jeremiah had also prophesied about Cyrus in that the children of Israel would return from the Babylonian captivity after 70 years.
See Jer. 25:12 & 29:10.
Nebuchadnezzar learned that the God of heaven was the true God.
Read Daniel 4.
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
~ Dan. 4:34-37
The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water:
he turneth it whithersoever he will.
~ Prov. 21:1
The Call for Volunteers
Cyrus is allowing all of those Jews that want to return to Israel to go free. Note that at this time they were not in disfavor with the king and many of them were content to remain in Persia.
3 Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.
4 And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
5 Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.
~ Ezra 1:3-5
This work was going to require workers. Cyrus is sending them out with wealth and also will be paying them for their work.
The Charge for Supporters
This reminds me of how God sent the children of Israel out of Egypt. He did not send them out "empty" but they were "loaded" with precious jewels, gold, silver and clothing.
20 And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.
21 And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty.
22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.
~ Ex. 3:20-22
If you don't want to go, help those that are going. Many were content to stay. Cyrus charged them to contribute generously to those that were leaving to make sure they had a pleasant and safe journey and that they would have all of their needs met in abundance.
6 And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.
~ Ezra 1:6
The Return of the Vessels
One last thing: ALL of the vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem previously were going to go home as well. The temple was going to be filled with treasure again.
7 Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;
8 Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
9 And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,
10 Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.
11 All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
~ Ezra 1:7-11
God is sovereign.
... he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth..."
~ Dan. 4:35
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Continue Your Search
In this chapter, do you see any: Commands to Obey, Warnings to Heed, Promises to Claim, Examples to Follow, Vices to Avoid, Praises to Emulate, Prayers to Use, Principles by which to Live, Questions to Ask or Actions to Take?
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