I.
WIth this reading in Ezra we begin reading a set of Scriptures that invite us to think about restoration, liberation, and freedom. And in the background of that is this remark from Ezra 1:11,

… the exiles were brought up from Babylonia to Jerusalem.

It seems if we are to reflect on restoration, liberation and freedom, we need also to keep in mind captivity, exile, and “unfreedom”

This week we see the first steps of the Israelites back to what, for them, was their homeland.

There are a lot of details here, some of which might distract us from the overriding theme.

What do you see as the overriding theme?

Do the “details” get in the way for you or do they help to offer contrast between captivity and restoration.

Spend some time reading and rereading this passage. Let it form for you a picture of what is happening and all the people that have a hand in it.

II.
Ezra 1:1-8 (New Revised Standard Version)

In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in order that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the Lord stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia so that he sent a herald throughout all his kingdom, and also in a written edict declared:

“Thus says King Cyrus of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of those among you who are of his people—may their God be with them!—are now permitted to go up to Jerusalem in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem; and let all survivors, in whatever place they reside, be assisted by the people of their place with silver and gold, with goods and with animals, besides freewill offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem.”

The heads of the families of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites—everyone whose spirit God had stirred—got ready to go up and rebuild the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. All their neighbors aided them with silver vessels, with gold, with goods, with animals, and with valuable gifts, besides all that was freely offered. King Cyrus himself brought out the vessels of the house of the Lord that Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and placed in the house of his gods. King Cyrus of Persia had them released into the charge of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah.

Ezra 1:11 (New Revised Standard Version)

the total of the gold and silver vessels was five thousand four hundred. All these Sheshbazzar brought up, when the exiles were brought up from Babylonia to Jerusalem.

Ezra 2:64-70 (New Revised Standard Version)

The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty, besides their male and female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven; and they had two hundred male and female singers. They had seven hundred thirty-six horses, two hundred forty-five mules, four hundred thirty-five camels, and six thousand seven hundred twenty donkeys.

As soon as they came to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the heads of families made freewill offerings for the house of God, to erect it on its site. According to their resources they gave to the building fund sixty-one thousand darics of gold, five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priestly robes.

The priests, the Levites, and some of the people lived in Jerusalem and its vicinity; and the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants lived in their towns, and all Israel in their towns.

III.
How does one start traveling the road from captivity to restoration?

Who gets the Israelites started on that road? Who even shows such travel is possible after so many years away?

It seems it is not by a decision of one of the Israelites or even a group of them that a way home is offered. It is by an “outsider.” One who is not part of their people. Even one who has been part of holding them in captivity.

Who helps them “pack” for their journey home?

What are they offered for the journey and what all do they take with them on the journey?

Would they have been ready to begin their journey without the help of those who are not “their people”?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}