Lesson 426 - Senior

Memory Verse

"All the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid" (Ezra 3:11).

Cross References

I Proclamation of Cyrus

1. The spirit of Cyrus was stirred by the Lord, [EZR:1:1]; [2CH:36:22].

2. Cyrus felt God's command to build the Temple in Jerusalem, [EZR:1:2]; [2CH:36:23]; [ISA:44:28].

3. Leave was given to all Jews, who so desired, to return to Jerusalem, [EZR:1:3-4].

II The Return of the Jews

1. The chief of the fathers, the priests, and the Levites, were among those who returned, [EZR:1:5]; [EZR:2:64-65].

2. They did not go empty-handed, [EZR:1:6].

3. The sacred vessels of the Temple were returned by Cyrus, [EZR:1:7-11].

III Renewing the Altar and Foundation

1. The altar was set up and offerings made thereon, [EZR:3:1-3], [EZR:3:5-6].

2. The Feast of Tabernacles was observed, [EZR:3:4].

3. Preparations were made and the foundation of the Temple was laid, [EZR:3:7-10].

4. The young men shouted and the old men wept when the foundation was completed, [EZR:3:11-13].

Notes

Through the inspiration of the Spirit of God, Isaiah the Prophet foretold 150 years before Cyrus was born that God would raise up Cyrus as His "shepherd" -- even mentioning him by name -- to bring about the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the laying of the foundation for the new Temple [ISA:44:28]).

This prophecy was literally fulfilled. Cyrus came into power and gained possession of the nations through the help of God, in order that the will of God concerning His people might be carried out. One of the last kingdoms delivered into Cyrus's hands was Babylon, and shortly thereafter he issued an edict for the return of the Jews and the rebuilding of the Temple. Thus the Babylonian captivity was ended in just seventy years, fulfilling another Scripture, the prophecy of Jeremiah [JER:29:10]).

The Lord's Time

When Cyrus took over the government at Babylon, Daniel was still among the inhabitants of that part of the country [DAN:6:28]). Daniel held a position of high authority under King Darius, so without doubt the new king heard about and soon had contact with Daniel. It is believed by many that Daniel, knowing that the seventy years of the Children of Israel's captivity were coming to a close, brought to the attention of King Cyrus the Word that the God of Israel had spoken approximately 150 years before, foretelling the deeds that Cyrus would perform.

One thing is sure: it was the Lord's time, and Cyrus moved very quickly to bring about the Lord's edict. God said of Cyrus: "I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me" [ISA:45:4]). It is commendable when men and women do the will of God, but it is eternally profitable when the obedience springs from the heart of one who has been truly born again. Some men, as Cyrus on this occasion, do the will of God when it is momentarily convenient; but the true child of God obeys Him at all times, regardless of whether it is convenient.

Proclamation of Liberty

The substance of the proclamation was that the people of God who desired to do so were free to return to Jerusalem to help rebuild the Temple. No one was required to go; however, one would think that this news would be received with great gladness and jubilation by all the Jewish people. After seventy years of exile from their native land would not all the people desire to return home as soon as possible? About 50,000 people were stirred to the point of action and returned to Jerusalem. This was but a fraction of the Jewish people living in Babylonia at the time. Why did not the other Jews desire to return?

After seventy years perhaps the pangs of homesickness had worn off. Many of the older ones would have died, and the younger ones born in the land were not deeply concerned. Many of the people had built homes, had planted fields and vineyards, and in other ways had become accustomed to the land of Babylon. They were comfortably settled now. Why should they remove and face the hardships of a land that had been desolated? They were secure in Babylon; why should they expose themselves to the enemies that had moved into their former homeland? Many felt it was not worth the effort; thus they stayed with their worldly possessions in Babylon.

But there were those who had a burden in their hearts to uphold the name of the Lord, His honour, and His cause. Some could not contain the sorrow nor hold back the tears when they knew of the affliction, reproach, and desolation in Jerusalem [NEH:1:4]). No offering nor sacrifice could be made by the Jews in Babylon. The only acceptable sacrifice could be made in Jerusalem, the city chosen by the Lord; so some were eager to return to their homeland, to be once more in the place of God's choosing.

No Change

Men have not changed through the passing years. Even in our day the open doors of spiritual opportunity are too often left unentered because people love their ease too well. People are willing to do the thing that costs them little or nothing (whether the cost be money or time or labour); but that which costs nothing is usually worth nothing. The commendation of God and eternal rewards will be given to the faithful, to those who have been busy in the Lord's service. (See [MAT:25:21] and [MAT:25:34-36].) Let us not be content to dwell on the low plains of temporal convenience and comfort when the higher ground of opportunities to do God's service is calling to action, though it may require the deprivation of some earthly luxuries and ease.

Strengthened Hands

In addition to releasing the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem, Cyrus's proclamation included the command that the Jews who remained in Babylon, and all the people of the land were to help the pilgrims with a freewill offering. God had wrought wondrously for the Jews on different occasions during their captivity, so without doubt they were respected by many of the people of the land. "All they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things."

Cyrus added a great contribution: "The king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD." Nebuchadnezzar had brought those sacred vessels from the Temple in Jerusalem and had placed them in the house of his gods. King Belshazzar had desecrated those vessels, but God preserved them. Without God's protection those vessels would have been melted down and made into other things; but when the Jewish people were ready to return to their homeland, the vessels were delivered to, and came along with, those who were marching to Zion.

True Christians are chosen vessels unto the Lord, even vessels of mercy. The Lord has a use and place for each consecrated vessel to fill, watching over and guarding that vessel from destruction. The devil would love to "melt down" God's vessels and change them into another use, but God protects His vessels, even though they may be as exiles in a foreign land. Some of these days (it may be soon) the Lord will bring all His chosen, consecrated vessels into His House, into the place that He has prepared [JHN:14:3]). Are you ready for that day?

Picking up the Pieces

Consider how fast these people moved! The proclamation of release came early in the first year of Cyrus's reign over Babylon. The people, to the number of 42,360, put their business affairs in order and prepared to depart from Babylon. Jerusalem lay in the distance about 500 miles in a straight line; but the people had to travel a circuitous route, for a great desert lay between the two points. There was no airlift nor modern transportation. Many of the people had to travel on foot; still, by the seventh month the Children of Israel were dwelling in their own cities and were ready to gather as one man to Jerusalem. They had travelled fast enough to allow themselves time to furnish habitations for their families to dwell in during the time the altar and Temple were being built. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might" [ECC:9:10]).

The first action of the people as they gathered themselves as one man to Jerusalem was to build the altar of God. They dug away the rubble and set up the altar on its original bases, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the Law of Moses. The people who occupied the land after the Children of Israel had been taken captive were jealous of the return of the Jews and were not completely friendly. The Jews feared for their safety, therefore the setting up of the altar and the offering of burnt sacrifices were the first order of business. The altar with its sacrifices and the approbation of God upon the people were greater security for Israel from her enemies than a wall of stone around the city.

We have the similar thought for us today: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" [MAT:6:33]). What is included in "all these things"? Jesus had been talking about food, drink, and raiment -- the necessities of life. These things are added when we seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness.

Foundation

As soon as the altar was again in daily usage and the Feast of Tabernacles had been observed, the rulers of the people commissioned the masons and carpenters to prepare the material for the foundation of the Temple. Meat and drink and oil were sent to the people of Zidon and Tyre in exchange for cedar trees from Lebanon. All this preparation required time, but in the second year of their return, in the second month, the actual work of assembling the foundation was set forward. "When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout."

What a stirring moment that must have been for those people! And how careful they were to do everything according to the Word of God. How the blessing of God rained down upon them. The young men gave voice to their deep feelings with a great shout. The old men, remembering the former Temple and all its glory, could but weep.

Still another Temple is being built in our day, a spiritual Temple: "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit" [EPH:2:19-22]). Each can have a part and lot in this Temple, which is being built for eternity. If the Jews were particular to build the temporal Temple according to the Word of God, how much more should we be particular and specific to build our eternal Temple according to His instructions!

Questions

1. When did Cyrus give the proclamation of release to the Jews?

2. For what purpose were the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem?

3. How was the pilgrimage financed?

4. How many Jews returned to Jerusalem on the first journey?

5. What great treasure was restored to the Jews to take to the Temple?

6. Why was the altar restored before the other work was started?

7. In what month was the work on the foundation of the Temple set forward?

8. How did the people react when the foundation of the Temple was laid?

9. What was the reaction of the ancient men?