Ezra 1 "HE IS MY SHEPHERD" As the account of God's dealing with His people in the Old Testament starts the concluding events, it is well for us to learn that God has a purpose for His people and that will be fulfilled. 175 years before the events in Ezra chapter one happened, Isaiah had foretold these things including Cyrus' name and the fact that God was going to use him to bring about the return of His people. "He is My shepherd" lets us know that God can use anyone He chooses to fulfill His purposes. God's interest in His people can take a long time to be accomplished, or brought about quickly, in an unusual way initiated by those we least expect. We don't want to limit God in our thinking by insisting His purposes before will be done only as we think it should be.
Jeremiah had prophesied before the captivity that it would last seventy years and then the people of God would return to Jerusalem. The seventy years would have been the years between the carrying away of the people of Judah when the "times of the Gentiles" began, unto the finishing of the temple in Ezra's day. When the Babylonian empire was defeated by the Persians there was a different policy toward those in captivity from foreign countries. Instead of keeping them in one place, they wanted those of various tribes in their own geographical location to be subservient to the Persians. In that way they would provide income and also a safe zone around Persia. If opposition came it would affect those tribes before reaching the center of the empire. At that time the empire extended from India all the way to the Mediterranean Sea.
Daniel was an old man by the time of Cyrus' reign but "this Daniel prospered" under Cyrus' leadership and prophesied concerning the end times and the future of Israel. We are made very conscious of the value of the true prophets whose word comes to pass. Preparations can be made in regard to what is yet to come and we can be kept from undue anxiety over what is happening presently.
"The word of the Lord" is not ever to be considered lightly. It will be fulfilled. When the same words are repeated at different times, what is said is very important. The first words spoken in Ezra 1:1-2 were not only said by Cyrus, but were written. Those same words conclude the historical account of the Old Testament in 2nd Chronicles 36:23. Restoration of Israel to the place God intended will actually happen. The "golden age" of Israel is yet in the future when under the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, there will be "peace on earth and good will to men." God will fulfill His word.
We may find it unexpected that the Lord God will use ungodly leaders to bring about divine purposes. But it was the Lord who "stirred up the spirit of Cyrus," and it was "the Lord God of heaven" who "charged" Cyrus to build the temple. When an ungodly leader obeys the word of the Lord, how much more should we who are children of God obey the word of our heavenly Father without hesitation or equivocation. Much of prophesy yet to be fulfilled relates to the Tribulation and following events in which Israel plays an important part. Israel does have a future, even though so often they have been very close to annihilation. Ungodly leaders in the future will be used to bring God's purposes to pass even though they may be unaware of it.
Recovery, revival and restoration begins with God working in the hearts of people. It is a fact that Cyrus wanted this restoration to happen but likely for political reasons and for the safety of his kingdom. It would be advantageous to him but also there was a respectful fear of the Lord about the man. His description of God as the Lord is significant. He recognized an authority higher and greater than his. Also, he did not hesitate to obey the word of the Lord. Some have likened this to scenes relating to the millennium and the restoring of the kingdom of Israel when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.
Not everyone was able to go to Jerusalem. It was around a 900-mile journey through difficult territory, so that would make it hard for aged people or those who had infant children to travel that distance. However, there are those who are tuned in to the mind of God and are not turned aside by obstacles. Some Jews in Babylon had become successful and wealthy. Daniel prospered and because of age could not make the journey. But it is expected that he would have supported those who could go. Fellowship and a united purpose are not expressed in one particular way. Some give time and talent. Others give financial support and encouragement to the workers who go forth to labor in the harvest. People who "use the sword" and those who "stand by the stuff" are both sharers in the work of God. "We are workers together with Him."
It is our privilege to support the work of the Lord being done by others by effective and specific prayer. We can learn the specifics of a need through communicating with the Lord's servants by letters, emails and telephone calls. Also, a journey to the place where a work is being done by others opens our eyes, minds and hearts to the workers and the people as well as the place where they are laboring. Financial support is an on-going need in any outreach, and is a good expression of fellowship and interest.
The house of God is important to the Lord. It is the gathering center of His people. Each local assembly represents the "house of God" in which God dwells. Each person in an assembly has a role to fill either to remain in one place and fulfill a work in whatever way possible, or to go to "the regions beyond" and build something new for God where "His name has not been known." Each gift and each unique place, is to be coordinated as part of reaching the common objective. Our goal is to see the "vast building" completed and our Lord Jesus Christ given His proper honor world wide.
There was an immediate response from some of the people. When we know something is right and needs to be done, don't wait. The actions of a leader set the precedent for those who follow. The chief leaders were ready and willing to take responsibility for the enterprise. Sheshbazar (also known as Zerubbabel) stepped up to his place of leadership in this new venture. There were priests ready to go as representatives of the people to God, and to lead them in scriptural worship. Levites were there to fill roles of service as designated by God, and to be accountable for all the gifts that came in to finance the work. There was real commitment on the part of all whose heart God moved to go forth following the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua. Even the vessels of the Lord that were in the temple and had been carried to Babylon were brought out of the idols temple and sent back to Jerusalem where they belonged. Because the Jews had no idols that conquerors could carry away, the vessels and tools used in spiritual service had been taken - and now were returned. The vessels for the house of God were all that remained of temple worship. Believers today are vessels in the house of God to be used in whatever service God appoints for them. We are to be vessels in the house of God "sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work."