When God's call is uncomfortable or inconvenient . . .

Footnotes

[1] 2:69 A daric was a coin weighing about 1/4 ounce or 8.5 grams
[2] 2:69 A mina was about 1 1/4 pounds or 0.6 kilogram
[3] 2:70 Hebrew all Israel

Greg Jones

Good morning Rachel. I like Q3. The Israelites were faithful to return and rebuild. Where can you take a step of faithfulness, knowing God is worthy of your hope in Him? Yes the Israelites were faithful to return and rebuild. But sometimes just like me they can step out in faithfulness knowing God is worthy of their hope and be completely unaware of what God is hoping for. While in Babylon in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, graciously freed Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. And he spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat above the seats of the kings who were with him in Babylon. So Jehoiachin put off his prison garments. And every day of his life he dined regularly at the king's table, and for his allowance, a regular allowance was given him by the king, according to his daily needs, as long as he lived. 2 Kings 25:27-30 So what was he eating? If it was the Daniel plan you would think it would get a mention. So at this time in scripture eating unclean food with unclean company seems to be a blessing. For Daniel, different time, different circumstances, different view. Two different diets for two different exiles. Sometimes for me a step of faith is gaining a broader perspective.

Greg Jones

“Thus says Cyrus king 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, which is in Judah. [[Whoever]] is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem. And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.” The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, though they could not prove their fathers' houses or their descent, whether they belonged to Israel… The whole assembly together was 42,360, 65 besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337, and they had 200 male and female singers. 66 Their horses were 736, their mules were 245, 67 their camels were 435, and their donkeys were 6,720. Some of the heads of families, when they came to the house of the LORD that is in Jerusalem, made freewill offerings for the house of God, to erect it on its site. According to their ability they gave to the treasury of the work 61,000 darics 1 of gold, 5,000 minas 2 of silver, and 100 priests' garments. A lot of names in the first two chapters. These are the people who are returning from exile although some can not prove that they are bonafide. Those folks are the decedents of these folks. The king of Babylon carried away all Jerusalem and all the officials and all the mighty men of valor, 10,000 captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths. 2 Kings 24:14a Some people who were affected by the exile we can’t be sure what happened to. You sort of have to read between the lines and guess. None remained, except the poorest people of the land. 2 Kings 24:14b But the captain of the guard left some of the poorest of the land to be vinedressers and plowmen. 2 Kings 25:12

Michael Sisson

Re: Ezra 1:1-4 See Jer 25:11-12; Jer 29:10-14; Zec 1:12-16

Hugh Stephenson

Good morning, Rachel. Thanks for a great devo to open up Ezra for us. Love this- “I love that God doesn't simply command the release of those in exile, leaving them to go back to Jerusalem and the disobedience that led to its destruction. He sends them home with purpose and provision.” (Ezra 1:3-4) Q1. Awhile back I reorganized my prayer list. Initial a prayer is marked with a “PR” in yellow highlight. Upon answer its changed to green. Over time, there are lots and lots of greens. And still many yellows that have yet to be answered. Looking at the page the colors stand out and I can see how frequently God answers a prayer with “yes”. Q2. Temple neglect. Business is my toughest sin. The neglect looks like lack of exercise and overeating. Progress mad elf sure. But the slow pace conveys lack of commitment. Q3. A recent pastoral exercise yielded some significant tangible steps I can take to rewire much my reaction function and prepare a different pathway for my devotion and worship. I am very thankful to my friends at The Eden Project for their help, https://www.theedenproject.com

Hugh Stephenson

I have to say that as important as 1 and 2 Kings is, I won’t miss it. It’s a tough read. Even though it starts out well as David ascends and peaks, then Solomon is a huge success for an extended period. It’s the steady and seemingly inexorable decline that it’s so hard to read. The naked apostasy and idolatry is a great witness to how quickly a powerful empire can implode. So, on to more of the historical books. I especially like the Ezra-Nehemiah sequence as there is great deal of restoration and hope amidst huge adversity and opposition. Ezra 1:1–2:70 “Cyrus’s Decree and the Return of Exiles from Babylon. With the eye of faith, Ezra describes monumental political changes in the world as God’s special favor for his people.” Yet, I note with interest that not everyone who was eligible to return actually returned. Apparently, many were comfortable in the life they had made. Hebrews 12:1-3 speak specifically against this mindset. 1:5-6 “Many that hear this joyful sound choose to sit still in Babylon, are in love with their sins and will not venture upon the difficulties of a holy life; but some there are that break through the discouragements, and resolve to build the house of God, to make heaven of their religion, whatever it cost them. Thus will the heavenly Canaan be replenished, though many perish in Babylon; and the gospel-offer will not be made in vain." "Everyone whose spirit God had stirred" (v. 5) should be understood as referring to those whose spirit God had stirred and who did not resist that stirring but responded to it obediently.” As a testament to the above, the numbers of the returned are quite small in comparison with the populations earlier in the books of Kings. “Only four of the 24 priestly families that David organized (1 Chron. 24:7-18) had representatives among the returning exiles.” “Few Levites, only 341, chose to leave the comforts of life in Babylon.” On genealogies- There seems to be a trait in human nature that wants to identify who you are by your parents and/or grandparents. For whatever reason, this was incredibly important in the South of my youth. As in Judaism, much of the emphasis was on one’s lineage through your mother’s ancestors. Direct ones were “lineal’ ancestors. Indirect, (through uncles or aunts), were called “collateral” ancestors. There were many times that a query began very soon after an introduction. This grew tiresome to me. My father’s side bore no distinction of note coming from the working class (mother’s side) and a Methodist circuit rider, (father’s side). It was my mother’s side where things were more interesting. Mayflower passengers John Alden and Priscilla Mullin were the first. Then on down to James Iredell, (Washington’s SCOTUS justice), an NC Governor and a Senator. Without a doubt the most interesting piece is that Edward Snowden is also a lineal descendant of the same Mayflower passengers. In that, as far as I can tell, we’re 9th cousins. (No I don’t know where he is. Still in Russia I guess). Most interesting is my father’s grandmother. She was a full blood Cherokee, making me 1/8. In many conversations this was regarding as the least impressive ancestor. She’s my favorite. The whole thing makes me laugh. The notes reflect that genealogies in the Ezra Nehemiah era were quite important, and legitimately so.

Hugh Stephenson

Ezra 2:59–63 “This section considers the legitimacy of claims to citizenship and membership in the priesthood, whether they belonged to Israel. It was important in this returning community to establish credentials. People were coming back after a long exile to claim inheritance and property. In the case of priests, it was paramount that only those with the correct pedigree should officiate at the altar. Such claims needed evidence, and the record inevitably contained gaps. The claims entered here are not permanently refused, but held over, pending further inquiry. The genealogies are a guarantee that Israel is not adrift in a vacuum of this present generation but has security and credentials. And as long as Israel can name names, utter their precious sounds, it has a belonging place which no hostile empire can deny."[73]

Michael Scaman

I wonder what conversations Daniel had with Cyrus leading up to this. Daniel clearly knew the 70 year prophesy and wrote about it. Daniel even had visions about it. Daniel could hav pointed out to Cyrus his name and even the time 70 years being about to be fulfilled.

Sue Bohlin

Thanks so much, Rachel. Reading about how Cyrus's heart and mind were stirred and directed by the one true God really encourages me, because Cyrus was not a Yahweh-follower--yet God used him to accomplish His purposes just as easily as He used believers. It enlarges my understanding and appreciation of God's sovereignty and power to see that a person doesn't have to be open to the Lord to be used by Him. I recently heard Lance Wallnau (with whom I was not familiar) address the Roaring Lambs banquet, where he told us that he had the opportunity to talk one on one with Donald Trump some years ago. He told him (basically), "I see you as a Cyrus. We all know you're not a Christian, but God is using you anyway." I don't know if his assessment was right or not, but I am intrigued by the idea, especially as we JTJers find ourselves in Ezra today, meeting Cyrus on the pages of God's word.

Amy Lowther

1. Yes, I believe God has answered my prayers. Examples of prayers answered include: workday success, social interactions, and successful shopping trips. It was good God answered my prayers because before He did, life was tough. Workdays seemed like they would never get done. There were no conversations or activities for certain social situations. And on shopping trips, I was purchasing too much with not enough money for the wrong reasons. My prayers took time and included full surrender to God. Currently, my prayers continue like those prayers described. Prayer: Lord, thank you for your provision and your care everyday of my life. Your words are valuable and your care is unconditional and priceless. May I continue to look to you and make choices your way. Amen. 2. I have a healthy, “everyday” home for Jesus in my temple. Yes, I am intentional in maintaining a place for Jesus everyday by studying His words and applying what I learn in daily life. Nothing is neglected because I value Jesus. Some things get destroyed because they do not work. I prefer to remodel destroyed things into what is recommended. 3. In Women’s Bible Study, my small group writes prayer cards each week. Each individual can make a prayer request and submit it for consideration. Then each individual can choose a prayer card and pray for a fellow group member. I will continue to do this with my small group, and I can take a step of faithfulness to also do this outside my small group. I can’t carry note cards with me, and I don’t expect anyone else to carry note cards either. But, as in small group, I can take time to think of prayers I need to make and share my prayer requests with others. Then we can pray for each other.