Return To Me

The Lenten season, which began last Wednesday, is a time for us to focus on getting closer to God. The ashes that we might display on our forehead or the fasting that we might engage in should all be for the purpose of setting our relationship with God in the forefront of our heart and minds. We can use Lent as a time to refocus and return even closer to God. In Ezra 1:1–8, 11; 2:64–70, the people of God had been in exile from the Land of Promise and the temple in Jerusalem for almost 70 years. True to His promise (through Jeremiah’s prophecy), God moved to free His people from captivity. He caused king Cyrus to issue a decree that allowed the people of God to return to Judah and rebuild the temple that Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed. I pray that God will draw you closer during this season of Lent, to build a stronger relationship with Him.

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, 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. And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’” (Ezra 1:1-4) God moved the heart of Cyrus to issue a written decree granting the return of the captives from exile and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem that had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. The timing of the decree fulfilled the prophesy God had given through Jeremiah that the Jewish captives would remain in exile for 70 years. The decree also directed the returnees neighbors (those not returning to Judah), to provide the returnees with financial assistance as well as freewill offerings for the effort of rebuilding the temple. It is clear from from the text that although Cyrus was the king of Persia, he was subject to the God of heaven who reigns over all things and who was orchestrating the return of His people and the raising of the capital necessary for the rebuild of the temple. God has issued His decree: He has set you free and you don’t have to stay where you are any longer.

Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites—everyone whose heart God had moved —prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings. Moreover, King Cyrus brought out the articles belonging to the temple of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his god. Cyrus king of Persia had them brought by Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah. In all, there were 5,400 articles of gold and of silver. Sheshbazzar brought all these along with the exiles when they came up from Babylon to Jerusalem. (Ezra 1:5-8,11) The return to Jerusalem was led by the priests, Levites and heads of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. God also touched the spirit of others among the exiles to return and be a part of the temple rebuilding effort. The neighbors of the returnees did according to Cyrus’ decree providing assistance to the returnees and contributing offerings for the rebuilding of the temple. Cyrus also returned to them items that had been taken from the temple by Nebuchadnezzar. The orchestration by God seen here in Ezra 1 is reminiscent of Israel’s exodus from Egypt. There also, God had caused the release of His people from bondage, to go to the Promised Land and had aided them with gifts of gold, silver, etc (courtesy of the Egyptians). God has set you free… and whatever He has called you to, He will make provision for it!

The whole company numbered 42,360, besides their 7,337 male and female slaves; and they also had 200 male and female singers. They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels and 6,720 donkeys. When they arrived at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site. According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver and 100 priestly garments. The priests, the Levites, the musicians, the gatekeepers and the temple servants settled in their own towns, along with some of the other people, and the rest of the Israelites settled in their towns. (Ezra 2:64-70) Some 42K+ Jewish people and another 7K+ of their servants/maids returned to Judah from exile. When they arrived at the temple site in Jerusalem, they gave money and materials to the treasury for the rebuilding of the temple. Each one gave according to their ability. The returnees then settled in their ancestral cities. A right relationship with God calls upon us to give (time, talent, tithe) toward the work of the kingdom, according to our ability.

After nearly 7 decades in exile because of their disobedience and worship of other gods, God made it possible for His people to return into full relationship and fellowship with Him. The focus of their return was the rebuilding of the temple, an outward manifestation of an inward rebuilding that God wanted to take place among His people. The temple as well as the Promised Land was the place where they could worship God and rededicate their relationship with Him. Though all of the captives had received Cyrus’ decree that they were free to return to the place of God’s promise, most chose to remain in Babylon (the place of their captivity). They had been so conditioned to the place that they were in, that they chose not to go to the place that God had provided specially for them! Too many of us are also choosing to stay in circumstances that have us bound and in exile from the place that God wants us to be. During this Lenten season, God’s message to us is this: You don’t have to stay where you are. You can have the fullness of your promise. You can enjoy the fullness of your freedom from the people, places and things that have you captive. God has already made provision for you to come into your promise. You just need to return to Him…and restore Him to His rightful position in your life.

Blessings,

Rev Glenn

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” ~ John 8:36 (NIV)

Be blessed with this song from Marvin Winans - Draw Me Close/Thy Will Be Done