We begin the book of Ezra pretty much where 2 Chronicles left off...
"...the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing:
This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:
"...the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing:
This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:
‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them.'" (1:1-3 NIV)
What would possess this non-Jew who had power and authority over the people of God to release them from their captivity and bless them as he sends them on their way to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem? Scripture tells us that the LORD moved his heart. Just as He moved others to come up against His people so that they would learn and turn to Him, He also moves the hearts of others to show grace and mercy.
Cyrus was not of Abraham's or David's lineage. He was not a part of the promise; yet, he attributes his position over all the kingdoms over the earth to the LORD, the God of heaven. He attributes it to the one God. That just amazes me.
How many of us, who claim to be followers, who claim to believe, claim all that we are and have and do, to the one God, our LORD? In a very real sense, I think, that Cryus was more faithful than many (most?) of Abraham's children, than of David's.
It is election year. This may be a reminder to us that the one who claims (or others point out to be) the most Christian may not necessarily be the one whom God would have lead us. For countries or world governments, it is not always the one whom we perceive as "Christian" who listens to the LORD's will for His people - and we are all His people.
May God bless each of us with the knowledge, the realization, of how much He has given us and help us to use those gifts to do His will, glorifying His holy name.
What would possess this non-Jew who had power and authority over the people of God to release them from their captivity and bless them as he sends them on their way to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem? Scripture tells us that the LORD moved his heart. Just as He moved others to come up against His people so that they would learn and turn to Him, He also moves the hearts of others to show grace and mercy.
Cyrus was not of Abraham's or David's lineage. He was not a part of the promise; yet, he attributes his position over all the kingdoms over the earth to the LORD, the God of heaven. He attributes it to the one God. That just amazes me.
How many of us, who claim to be followers, who claim to believe, claim all that we are and have and do, to the one God, our LORD? In a very real sense, I think, that Cryus was more faithful than many (most?) of Abraham's children, than of David's.
It is election year. This may be a reminder to us that the one who claims (or others point out to be) the most Christian may not necessarily be the one whom God would have lead us. For countries or world governments, it is not always the one whom we perceive as "Christian" who listens to the LORD's will for His people - and we are all His people.
May God bless each of us with the knowledge, the realization, of how much He has given us and help us to use those gifts to do His will, glorifying His holy name.
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