ISSL Reflections March 27 2022 Deuteronomy 8:1–11 Post 2

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IV.
The other day I came across these words in Leviticus,

Do what I tell you;
live the way I tell you.
I am the God who makes you holy.
(Leviticus 20:8, The Message)

These sentences from Deuteronomy speak to what the Israleites had experienced and will hopefully experience as they enter their “promised” land.

As you read this passage today, pay attention to what they might have learned from their past walk with God?

V.
Deuteronomy 8:1-11 (New Revised Standard Version)

This entire commandment that I command you today you must diligently observe, so that you may live and increase, and go in and occupy the land that the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors. Remember the long way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commandments. He humbled you by letting you hunger, then by feeding you with manna, with which neither you nor your ancestors were acquainted, in order to make you understand that one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. The clothes on your back did not wear out and your feet did not swell these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a parent disciplines a child so the Lord your God disciplines you. Therefore keep the commandments of the Lord your God, by walking in his ways and by fearing him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with flowing streams, with springs and underground waters welling up in valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land where you may eat bread without scarcity, where you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron and from whose hills you may mine copper. You shall eat your fill and bless the Lord your God for the good land that he has given you.

Take care that you do not forget the Lord your God, by failing to keep his commandments, his ordinances, and his statutes, which I am commanding you today.

VI.
“Take care that you do not forget …” (Deuteronomy 8:11)

What might these words help the Israelites not to forget?

Were all the memories of pleasant things?

What might their walk through the wilderness give them to bring into the “good land”?

Take some time to consider your walks through wildernesses. What stands out to you that you might bring into the “good land”?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections March 27 2022 Deuteronomy 8:1–11 Post 1

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I.
As this post is sent out today, it is the day after the Third Sunday in Lent. The Gospel reading for yesterday was Luke 13:1-9. In verses 1-5 of that reading twice Jesus addresses the question of the relation of sin and suffering. It seemed in Jesus’ day (and for that matter in ours also) people often found it easy to connect any suffering that comes one’s way to be the result of some sin(s) they had engaged in.

Many can come to this week’s Scripture focus (and similar passages) and find support for the claim that “your suffering is the result of your sin.” Jesus suggested any connection was not that simple and told his hearers, ““Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you …” (Luke 13:2-3)

This week let’s take our time reading our focus passage and explore them for what they might tell us about God’s intent for the “commandments” he imparts to us.

II.

Deuteronomy 8:1-11 (New Revised Standard Version)

This entire commandment that I command you today you must diligently observe, so that you may live and increase, and go in and occupy the land that the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors. Remember the long way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commandments. He humbled you by letting you hunger, then by feeding you with manna, with which neither you nor your ancestors were acquainted, in order to make you understand that one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. The clothes on your back did not wear out and your feet did not swell these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a parent disciplines a child so the Lord your God disciplines you. Therefore keep the commandments of the Lord your God, by walking in his ways and by fearing him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with flowing streams, with springs and underground waters welling up in valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land where you may eat bread without scarcity, where you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron and from whose hills you may mine copper. You shall eat your fill and bless the Lord your God for the good land that he has given you.

Take care that you do not forget the Lord your God, by failing to keep his commandments, his ordinances, and his statutes, which I am commanding you today.

III.
So what good are God’s commandments?

What do you think God hopes for us as we hear and follow his commandments?

What (and who) do the commandments lead us to recall?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections March 20 2022 Ezra 6:13–22 Post 3

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VII.
Have you ever experienced anything similar to what this passage describes in gatherings and/or worship in your faith community?

VIII.
Ezra 6:13-22 (New Revised Standard Version)

Then, according to the word sent by King Darius, Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates did with all diligence what King Darius had ordered. So the elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of the prophet Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo. They finished their building by command of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus, Darius, and King Artaxerxes of Persia; and this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.

The people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. They offered at the dedication of this house of God one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. Then they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses for the service of God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.

On the fourteenth day of the first month the returned exiles kept the passover. For both the priests and the Levites had purified themselves; all of them were clean. So they killed the passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves. It was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and also by all who had joined them and separated themselves from the pollutions of the nations of the land to worship the Lord, the God of Israel. With joy they celebrated the festival of unleavened bread seven days; for the Lord had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.

IX.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic many faith communities elected for a time to discontinue physical, in-person gatherings and worship. Many moved to virtual gatherings.

I have heard a number of people speak of how “excited” and “happy” they were when they were able to gather in-person once again in their physical worship places.

Have you had an experience like that?

I know of other folk for whom their familiar worship spaces had grown sterile and perhaps “cold.” Then one day, it happened. In the familiar place (or another) – the joy and sense of holiness and presence returned.

Has that ever been your experience?

Take some time to travel in your heart and mind to those “places” and “spaces” that bring joy, worshipfulness, and a sense of the presence of the Holy.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections March 20 2022 Ezra 6:13–22 Post 2

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IV.
As you read this passage can you see and hear their joy?

V.
Ezra 6:13-22 (New Revised Standard Version)

Then, according to the word sent by King Darius, Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates did with all diligence what King Darius had ordered. So the elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of the prophet Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo. They finished their building by command of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus, Darius, and King Artaxerxes of Persia; and this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.

The people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. They offered at the dedication of this house of God one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. Then they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses for the service of God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.

On the fourteenth day of the first month the returned exiles kept the passover. For both the priests and the Levites had purified themselves; all of them were clean. So they killed the passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves. It was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and also by all who had joined them and separated themselves from the pollutions of the nations of the land to worship the Lord, the God of Israel. With joy they celebrated the festival of unleavened bread seven days; for the Lord had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.

VII.
Can you remember a time when something (or someone) for which/for whom you felt its absence deeply was back in your life? How would you describe any joy and/or relief you experienced?

What did you want to do? To say? To shout? To sing? Even to cry?

Might your experience give you a handle on understanding any of the joy of these people as they were able to return to the worship of God in their land?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections March 20 2022 Ezra 6:13–22 Post 1

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I.
Here we read, “They finished their building … celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy…. [they] kept the passover … with joy they celebrated.”

As you read this passage, notice what brings joy to these folk, and what they do to express that joy.

II.
Ezra 6:13-22 (New Revised Standard Version)

Then, according to the word sent by King Darius, Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates did with all diligence what King Darius had ordered. So the elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of the prophet Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo. They finished their building by command of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus, Darius, and King Artaxerxes of Persia; and this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.

The people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. They offered at the dedication of this house of God one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. Then they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses for the service of God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.

On the fourteenth day of the first month the returned exiles kept the passover. For both the priests and the Levites had purified themselves; all of them were clean. So they killed the passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves. It was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and also by all who had joined them and separated themselves from the pollutions of the nations of the land to worship the Lord, the God of Israel. With joy they celebrated the festival of unleavened bread seven days; for the Lord had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.

III.
It’s taken the Israelites a while to get here. Starts and stops and restarts. But finally something has been finished.

What do you notice that brings these folk the most joy?

What do they do to express their joy?

Who and what do you notice makes such joy possible for these former exiles?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections March 13 2022 Ezra 6:1–12 Post 3

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VIII.
Why?

Why does the King take the actions he does and what might come of them?

IX.
Ezra 6:1-12 (New Revised Standard Version)

Then King Darius made a decree, and they searched the archives where the documents were stored in Babylon. But it was in Ecbatana, the capital in the province of Media, that a scroll was found on which this was written: “A record. In the first year of his reign, King Cyrus issued a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices are offered and burnt offerings are brought; its height shall be sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits, with three courses of hewn stones and one course of timber; let the cost be paid from the royal treasury. Moreover, let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought back to the temple in Jerusalem, each to its place; you shall put them in the house of God.”

“Now you, Tattenai, governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and you, their associates, the envoys in the province Beyond the River, keep away; let the work on this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site. Moreover I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God: the cost is to be paid to these people, in full and without delay, from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province Beyond the River. Whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests in Jerusalem require—let that be given to them day by day without fail, so that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his children. Furthermore I decree that if anyone alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of the house of the perpetrator, who then shall be impaled on it. The house shall be made a dunghill. May the God who has established his name there overthrow any king or people that shall put forth a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, make a decree; let it be done with all diligence.”

X.
What was the phrase we encountered last week? “stirred up”?

Was something “stirred up” in this King? Could we say he was “inspired” to get the Israelites back to their homes and have the rebuilding of the Temple completed?

Does the suggestion that he expected some benefit to come to him, detract from any benefit he intended to come to the Israelites?

XI.
I can’t help but ask myself what “inspirations” come to me?

Maybe today is the day I can be intentional in opening my spirit to any “inspirations” that lead me toward the spirit that seeks to find the means to make the path of others better.

Want to join me?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections March 13 2022 Ezra 6:1–12 Post 2

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IV.
As your read this Scripture passage, notice what is “brought back to the temple” and to Jerusalem.

V.
Ezra 6:1-12 (New Revised Standard Version)

Then King Darius made a decree, and they searched the archives where the documents were stored in Babylon. But it was in Ecbatana, the capital in the province of Media, that a scroll was found on which this was written: “A record. In the first year of his reign, King Cyrus issued a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices are offered and burnt offerings are brought; its height shall be sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits, with three courses of hewn stones and one course of timber; let the cost be paid from the royal treasury. Moreover, let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought back to the temple in Jerusalem, each to its place; you shall put them in the house of God.”

“Now you, Tattenai, governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and you, their associates, the envoys in the province Beyond the River, keep away; let the work on this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site. Moreover I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God: the cost is to be paid to these people, in full and without delay, from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province Beyond the River. Whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests in Jerusalem require—let that be given to them day by day without fail, so that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his children. Furthermore I decree that if anyone alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of the house of the perpetrator, who then shall be impaled on it. The house shall be made a dunghill. May the God who has established his name there overthrow any king or people that shall put forth a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, make a decree; let it be done with all diligence.”

VI.
A number of things are made available to those rebuilding the Temple and the King makes very clear that no one is to hinder the rebuilding. “Whatever is needed … let that be given to them day by day without fail…” (Ezra 6:9)

Maybe the King expected something in return?
“… so that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his children.” (Ezra 6:10)

Regardless of what King hopes for himself and his family (and his nation?), items once taken from the Temple (probably as spoils of war) are returned,
“ Moreover, let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought back to the temple in Jerusalem, each to its place; you shall put them in the house of God.” (Ezra 6:5)

Not only returned to the Temple, but “each to its place.”

VII.
What would you think of taking inventory and noticing if you are aware of anything that should be returned to its proper place in your relationship to God?

charles
{ubi cartas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections March 13 2022 Ezra 6:1–12 Post 1

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I.
It seems this week’s Scripture sounds very similar to last week’s Scripture passage.

Maybe the first thing we need to do in reading this passage is to notice not only what stands out to us, but also what is similar and what is different in this week’s reading.

II.
Ezra 6:1-12 (New Revised Standard Version)

Then King Darius made a decree, and they searched the archives where the documents were stored in Babylon. But it was in Ecbatana, the capital in the province of Media, that a scroll was found on which this was written: “A record. In the first year of his reign, King Cyrus issued a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices are offered and burnt offerings are brought; its height shall be sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits, with three courses of hewn stones and one course of timber; let the cost be paid from the royal treasury. Moreover, let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought back to the temple in Jerusalem, each to its place; you shall put them in the house of God.”

“Now you, Tattenai, governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and you, their associates, the envoys in the province Beyond the River, keep away; let the work on this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site. Moreover I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God: the cost is to be paid to these people, in full and without delay, from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province Beyond the River. Whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests in Jerusalem require—let that be given to them day by day without fail, so that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his children. Furthermore I decree that if anyone alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of the house of the perpetrator, who then shall be impaled on it. The house shall be made a dunghill. May the God who has established his name there overthrow any king or people that shall put forth a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, make a decree; let it be done with all diligence.”

III.
Let’s see – last week we read about King Cyrus and this week we hear King Darius’ decree.

What similarities do you notice in what we hear from Cyrus and from Darius?

If we read some of Ezra chapters 1 – 5 we will see that the rebuilding of the Temple and Jerusalem did not happen without some starts and stops and restarts.

Does anything stand out to you about the “tone” of Darius’ decree?

How much patience does Darius have for anyone who “alters” his edict or for anyone who hampers the completion of the Temple in Jerusalem?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections March 6 2022 Ezra 1:1–8, 11; 2:64–70 Post 3

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IX.
As you spend time with this Scripture today, notice who “invests” in the Israelites return.

X.
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.

XI.
Who do you see making an “investment” in the Israelites restoration to their homes?

The King of Persia? His citizens? Those Israelites who take part one way or another in the restoration?

And what of the One who “stirs up”?

XII.
Who has made an “investment” in our lives?

Take some time and consider who has given of whatever means they have to bring you to who you are today?

We sometimes hold in our minds the myth of the “self-made” man or woman.

Can that be accurate?

This is not to diminish what we do with what we are “given,” but it is a helpful practice to take note of the gifts that come our way, acknowledge them, and even find means to express our gratitude for such.

What gratitude arises in you today?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

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

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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}