ISSL Reflections March 6 2022 Ezra 1:1–8, 11; 2:64–70 Post 2

IV.
As you read these Scripture passages, once again pay attention to who is identified and what they contribute to the return of the exiles to Jerusalem and the towns of Israel.

V.
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.

VI.
Did you notice?

the Lord stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia so that (Ezra 1:1)

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. (Ezra 1:5)

… and …

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. (Ezra 1:2)

VII.
I don’t mean to be overly skeptical but do you think King Cyrus has become a “true believer” and worshiper of the God of the Israelites?

Or, has he been so “stirred up” by The Lord that he is a puppet being used to do the “will” of The Lord?

Or, is he a shrewd ruler who sees these foreigners are about to become such a drain on his Kingdom that it is better to send them back “home” with some gold and silver (and other plunder from the Israelites) than to continue to make room for them in Persia?

None of the above? Or partly all of the above?

VIII.
I suspect a case can be made in part for each of the above.

And our world is complicated that way. It can be hard (if not impossible) to understand what motivates folk to act as they do. Is it necessary to understand? Or, do we respond to the “opportunities” that come our way with prayers and hope that we act as The Lord so stirs us?

What “stirs” you today?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}


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