Can God stir us? Ezra 1:5-7

 Greetings and Merry Christmas to y'all!!!  This time of year you will hear it in the church, on t.v. and the radio about the birth of Jesus.  You know, it just does not change. Angel came to Mary, a virgin, told her she would be with child. Joseph, the future husband was visited by an angel and told it would be okay.  They went to Bethlehem and a baby was born.  They named him Jesus.  In a nut shell!  Well, I know you can get a more indepth version but I want to return to Ezra.

  Ezra 1: 5 Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.  

 Cyrus ruled over what had been Assyria and Babylon. Assyria deported the Israelites from the north kingdom (Israel) and Babylon took Israelites captive from Judah.  King Cyrus was not a Jew, he was a follower of Zoroaster, a monotheistic prophet.  However, he was a tolerant ruler who allowed his subjects to practice their own religions.

  So, remember, God stirred Cyrus' heart first, now he is moving the leaders, priests, and heads of families and Levites to go and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.  If you don't think God can change the heart of man, just read deeper in the Bible and you will see how he saved the Israelites numerous times. 

6 And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.

  The journey back to Jerusalem was about a 4 day journey. Many took their wealth with them to be instrumental in building the temple.  However, there were some Israelites who had acquired wealth during the time of captivity and did not want to lose their "material or personal possessions", therefore remained behind. Don't we do this today, material possessions more important than anything else, including God?

  7 Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;

  King Nebuchadnezzar raided the Temple and took many valuable furnishing with him.  Most of the items were made of solid gold.  Cyrus, being a tolerant and supporting king returned these items to the Jews for the temple they planned to rebuild.

  What do you see here we don't today?  First, tolerance - by a non-believing King; second - wanting the people to be able to worship as they did before; and third - returning what had been stolen by a previous king.

  Tolerance, freedom of worship, and returning to God what is rightfully his.  Today, in my opinion, it seems tolerance only if you agree; freedom of worship is here but with criticism and strife; and people returning to God what is rightfully his - our prayer time, study the Bible, and spreading the word.  Just my thoughts.

   Tomorrow we will see how much was truly taken from the Temple by King Nebuchadnezzar.

  Thank you for reading with me today. Love y'all and early Merry Christmas.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny