Gleanings from Ezra Chapter 1
Gleanings from Ezra – Chapter 1
As we look back on the holy Script, with eyes enlightened by the Holy Spirit, we can relish and gain encouragement as we see the hand of God working in the midst of men to illustrate something of the glory to which He has called us, through the shadows of Divine fullness found in Christ. In other words, God calling exiles out of a sin-loving Babylon primarily served as an example, a shadow, of how He calls us out of this sinful world to Himself. Another shadow that served its purpose of point us to Christ, are two leader who are both imperfect examples that came before the One, Christ, in whom is all the fullness of God. There is so much that is more than worthy of our contemplation.
I hope the following will serve to propel our pounding-hearts toward utterness toward God, instead of filling our heads with thoughts that never produce fruit like the fig tree Jesus cursed. A right view of Christ, in conjunction with a regenerated heart, will always produce sacrificial love, to and beyond the point of counting all things as dung and all gainful things as loss. Do not mistake what is said here; sacrificial love is not the end, but a means by which we may lay crowns at the feet of our Savior, ascribing the glory due to His name. May we be extremely careful and self-examining as to never put the cart before the horse! May a pursuit of a view of the glory of Christ be the driving force that pulls our hearts in an increasing intensity, in a life of worshipful living to the praise of the immensity of His great glory!!! Let us say with Moses, “Please show me your glory (Exodus 33:18).”
1:1-2, A beautiful example of the Sovereign, displaying His most infinite wisdom, power, and immutableness of His eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:9-11), in that the King of kings turned the heart of Cyrus king of Persia (Proverbs 21:1), to not only fulfill the short term purpose of the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, but also to paint, as it were, the frame of this series of synergistic intricacies (tinny, tiny parts that work together at the same time), that have, will, and do make known His manifold wisdom. This wisdom is made known by His bride, the church, to the principalities and powers in heavenly places, has been hidden for ages in God who created all things for His pleasure and glory.
1:3-11, God, for His own glory and great name, initiated more than revival and stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus as an instrument to pour, totally undeserved favor on those whom He decided would best illustrate His own wisdom on the canvas of redemptive history.
First, the LORD brings the world stage to, a particular fullness of the times (Acts 17:26, Ecclesiastes 3:11), a point most pertinent to the redounding of the glory (Adar) of His grace. Not only does God, in sovereignty, prompt the heart of a pagan king, but He providentially prepared those called by His name to play the part as “sojourners” (verse 4, with Hebrews 11:13-16, [1 Corinthians 4:9]).
Secondly, who went and how were they assisted? Halleluiah!!! Once again, the beauty of God’s freedom to do all His holy and righteous will, in choosing whomever He wants and desires! He could have stirred the whole earth to rebuild the house of the LORD; however the LORD is infinitely wise and has chosen the best possible way to express His majestic splendor “for from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever… (Rom 11:36).” In other words, He chose vessels only deserving of His wrath as candidates of His glorious grace (Romans 9:21-24), according to His unchangeable purpose revealed in the Son in whom He is well-pleased (Ephesians 3:11), which has eternally been, is and will be His good pleasure of exceeding joy (Jeremiah 32:41). (Bad grammar, but a GREAT thought!) With no further delay, the answer to who went? Well who else than the very ones who were stirred by the Spirit of God (verse 5). This is the beautiful doctrine of being called out. “Come out of her my people!” thunders the voice of the LORD, who spoke all into existence and maintains this creation by the word of His power. He does not have to struggle with a mere rebellious, spiritually dead man, but makes them born of Him according to His decree (1 Peter 1:23). What power and love to orchestrate so much for creatures that are a mere millionth of a nation of nations that are collectively considered less than nothing!!! I say all this to provoke the Lord’s people to passionate pursuit in adoration of the Propitiation for our sins, our Beloved. The Lord’s people are the church. Church is the English translation of the Greek word ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía), which means “the called out ones.” Oh may we never forget the glorious CALLING to which He has called us or become slack in our privilege to preserve the purity of the bride, unto her perfection when that which is Perfect is come. The “called out ones” (church) are the ones God has and will stir-up to build His body, itself!!! Oh beautiful mysteries!!! With the “who went” question answered now we will see how they were supplied. Those whom He called, by His gracious election, He also equipped them with everything needed for the glorious foreshadow to which He called them (Ephesians 2:8-10, 2 Peter 1:3-4). God’s providence can be seen on a small and large scale as we see our Omniscient Maestro strategically and masterfully providing the wares for the building of the temple through (verse 6) “all who were about them” and (verse 7) “Cyrus the king.”
Another angle to admire, can be seen as follows, 1st Jehovah decrees in majesty and power what must be done (verse 2, the building of His house, 1 Peter 2:5). 2nd The LORD proclaims a general call, denoted by “Whoever.” He also demands the building materials and sacrifices be given willingly (denoted by freewill offerings), even prior to ability. 3rd So glorious is the LORD’s effectual calling as shown those stirred by God to go willfully and be sovereignly supplied as they went. What grace God bestows on creatures of anarchy and rebellion to allow them the privilege and honors of existence, let alone the high calling to build him a house (verses 5and 6 with 1 Peter2:5, Zechariah 2:1-5) !!! It would seem that there is here a general call, an effectual call, and the provision to persevere given to those who were effectually called. Amen.
1:7-8, A short Old to New Testament comparison….Notice “the vessels of the house of the LORD” brought out of the “house of his (Nebuchadnezzar, an antichrist foreshadow) gods.” 2 Timothy 2:19-21 ESV But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” (20) Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. (21) Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
1:4-11, In light of Zechariah 6:9-15. The Holy One works in the small despised exiles to the confounding of the wisdom of this world (which is propagated by Satan, Gen 3) and the redounding of his renown by crowing the Head of this foreshadow of Christ, Jeshua or Joshua (Hebrew for “Savior,” in Greek: Jesus), the high priest, son of Jehozadak (which translates “Jehovah justifies”). Through preordained works the LORD, who justifies and seeks the thorough vindication of the holiness of His great name, has crowned the head of our High Priest, Jesus the Savior, and He is the King of Kings bearing royal honor. How are we to perform such a high privilege as to even bring gold and silver for a crown to this most High King and Priest? I am not quite sure; this is may be a truth to delicate and precious for me to ponder and delight in. However, the text that somewhat hint at this glorious truth are as follows,
1 “You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God,” SEE ISAIAH 62:1-7
2 “the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” SEE 1 PETER 1:3-9
3 “Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. ‘They shall be mine’, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him,” SEE MALACHI 3:16-17.
This is definitely some part of the glorious inheritance that He has in the saints. This is why He shouts over His people with shouts of joy (Zephaniah 3:17), this is why He rejoices to do them good with all His heart and all His soul (Jeremiah 32:41), this is how His people ravish the heart of God when even the least of all the saints gives a glance heavenward (Song of Solomon 4:9). Saint of God, you who have been called out of the world and up to the wedding banquet of the Lamb, He loves you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). Do not set your mind on the things that are on the earth, here in time, but on our Husband who dwells in eternity (Isaiah 57:15). This is the glorious inheritance our Redeemer has in us (Ephesians 1:18, Zechariah 9:16, Malachi 3:17). God sovereignly and providentially works in us to will and do of His good pleasure, beautifying us and therefore glorifying Himself (Revelation 4:10, Isaiah 55:5, Philippians 2:13). Oh what a grace, what a privilege to serve the LORD of host, which is not a favor with Whom we have to do, but is our joyful duty (Psalm 110:3). The effect of this doctrine, the realization of the King-Priest, should evoke a life of freely offering yourself to God. Setting our minds on Him will be more than pleasant. Lets behold the beauty of the LORD!!!
