Ecclesiastes 1:9

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing  under the sun. (KJV)

After reading the book of Ezra, the above scripture in the book of Ecclesiastes was so relevant in my mind! Just as God’s people have forsaken him in times past, here we are again, living in a world where everything that exalts it’s self against God is excepted in our society, and Christians are living under persecution. The good news is that God always comes to our rescue, and at this present time we are awaiting our final redemption               (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Ezra 1:1-2

(1) Now the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah the prophet might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout 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 at Judah.

 

I spent some time cross referencing and I was excited to learn that the prophet Jeremiah had prophesied about King Cyrus more than one hundred thirty years before his time (Merrill F. Unger, 1988). Gods people had gone into Babylonian captivity for the sin of Idolatry. Jeremiah 25:12-14 is a prophecy pertaining to the fall of the Babylonian empire upon the completion of the seventy years of Jewish captivity,  which is followed by a prophecy of God’s goodness towards his people.

Jeremiah 29:10-11

(10) For thus saith the Lord, that after seventy years be accomplished in Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. (11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts  peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

I was also excited to learn that the Prophet Isaiah had prophesied about King Cyrus approximately one hundred and sixty years before his reign (Merrill F. Unger, 1988). Isaiah 44:24-28 and 45:1-4, speak of how God confirms the word of His servant and performs the counsel of His messengers. He calls Cyrus His shepherd and proclaims that Jerusalem will be built, even to the temple, and it’s foundation shall be laid. I love it how God speaks to Cyrus before he is even born, “And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches in secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me (45:3-4).

My heart was touched in so many ways in the reading of this book! Here we see that God does indeed confirm the word of his servant and perform the word of their counsel. The total number of people returning from exile was 42,360 Jews and 7,337 servants and maids. They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels, and 6,720 asses (Ezra 2:64-67).

It was in the second year of their coming into the house of the Lord that the foundations of the temple were laid. When I read Ezra 3:10-13 my heart melted. Oh how I long to see this kind of praise in the churches today! The people shouted a great shout, and the ancient men who had seen the first house were either weeping or shouting aloud. It was so loud that people heard it far afar off, and they could not discern between the shouting or the weeping.

Just when things were going good the adversary tried to put a stop to them. I can relate to that! In chapter four their enemies try to hinder their work. The people weakened their hands, and troubled them in the building. They hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, and a letter is even sent to the king. The work was ceased for nearly two years. Oh, but how I love what happens in chapter five! The prophets Haggai and Zechariah prophesied unto them in the name of the God of Israel. Then they rose up to build, and the prophets with them. They could not be stopped because the eye of God was upon them, moreover in chapter six King Darius makes a decree that whosoever shall alter his word concerning the matter would be hung on a timber that was pulled from his own house (6:11).

The next turn of events are that the temple was completed, the Passover was celebrated, and a ready (quick, skillful,and diligent) scribe by the name of Ezra enters the scene (James Strong, 1992). He had the favor of the king because the good hand of the Lord his God was upon him. He had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgements (7:10).

I loved the picture of humanity in chapter eight. Ezra is bringing over 2,000 more Jews back to Jerusalem with him, but says that he was Ashamed to ask the king for a band of horseman to help them against their enemies along the way, because he told the king that the hand of God was upon All them for good who seek him. He calls for a fast instead, and they are entreated of God (8:21-23).

Now as this book nears the end Ezra mourns because the Jews had mingled themselves with the people of the lands.

Ezra 9:5-6

(5) And at the evening sacrifice I rose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the Lord my God, (6) And said, Oh my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.

Ezra 9:11-12 are clear in stating the separation that God requires of his people. We are not to marry into Idolatry, nor to seek the Peace or the Wealth of this world for ever. We are reminded of this in the New Testament as well, (2 Corinthians 6: 17-18) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

I have named this entry “Free Indeed”. I found it fitting because the Son has made us free, therefore we are free indeed (John 8:36). Because Jesus conquered death, hell, and the grave, we are now the temple of God, and have received the Spirit of adoption. Whether we see the rapture or the grave, nothing shall separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:35-39). Therefore I shall flee this present Babylon with singing (Isaiah 48:20). There may not be anything new under the sun, but there will be new heaven and a new earth under the Son. Surely our redemption draweth nigh (Luke 21:28). We shall be Free Indeed!

 

 

References

Merrill F. Unger, D.H. (1988). The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary. Chicago: The Moody Bible Institute Of Chicago.

James Strong, S. L. (1992). Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible. World Bible Publishers, Inc.

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