1. EZRA, THE PRIEST OF GOD.

THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL!

The restoration of the Jews happened under the edict of Cyrus, the King of Persia.

Again Israel had turned her back on the One True God. He who had brought her out of Egypt and placed her in the Land of Promise to live in other people’s houses they had not built in a land that flowed with milk and honey.

In this chosen place, they rebelled against God and did not obey His Law or Commandments. (How it grieved God so.)

They worshipped other gods and bowed down to them, the gods of the nations they did not drive out as God commanded.

They married their women and gave their daughters as wives. These sins included adultery and idolatry, a regular practice of the heathen.

Over and over, God warned them through His Prophets of impending punishment from the North, and they would be carried away to Babylon as captives foretold by Jeremiah the Prophet. 

Jeremiah 10: 7-10.

With all this, there was a Promise of return. The Median Persian Empire! Nebuchadnezzar ruled Babylon, succeeded by Cyrus, the King of Persia, who now ruled the whole country. During this time, the book of Ezra opens.

God stirred up Cyrus to proclaim to permit the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, yet to remain under his rule.

Cyrus’s proclamation was remarkable:

“JEHOVAH, the God of Heaven, has given me all the Kingdoms of this earth and charged me to build Him a House at Jerusalem which is in Judah.”

“JEHOVAH THE GOD OF ISRAEL, HE IS THE GOD.”

What I find unique and exciting is that this mandate was prophesied over 200 yrs earlier by Isaiah the prophet. King Cyrus was named in this foretelling as the one who would make this massive change for Israel.

Keep this in your mind.

GOD HAD “CAST THEM OUT.” He did not “CAST THEM OFF!” Nor does He cast off you.

He made a WAY and a RETURN and a RESTORATION for all who would avail themselves of it.

These speak deep comfort concerning the restoration of Christian Believers who become bewitched by this Present Evil World or snared by satan’s devices and fall into backsliding.

How close are you to God? What does it mean to backslide?

It means: You have not made time to spend with Him by reading His Word and spending time in prayer and worship. Also, not including Him in every decision of your life.

He longs for you to allow Him to be an integral part of your plans, goals, dreams, and desires. It saddens Him to see you so busy with more essential things of this world than He.

It is similar to a married couple who are so entangled in different interests and are like ‘ships in the night’, just passing life apart from the intimacy they onetime enjoyed. They are leaving themselves open to all kinds of temptation and worldly attractions.

Falling into sin always has its consequences and causes much grief.

God always makes a way of return and restoration if you return to Him. He pleads with you in the book of Malachi.

“RETURN TO ME, AND I WILL RETURN TO YOU” Translated: “IF YOU WILL TAKE ONE STEP TOWARD ME AND I WILL TAKE ONE STEP TOWARD YOU.”

When you turn back to the LORD, you turn back into His BLESSING, PEACE, AND PERSONAL SATISFACTION.

Sometimes if we remain stubborn and strong-willed, God has to use extreme measures to draw us back.

GOD IS TENDER-HEARTED AND FULL OF GRACE. HE IS PLEADING, “COME HOME! MY DEAR CHILD, COME HOME, BACK TO GOD, NOW!”

It would help immensely if you forsook your backslidings, returned and repented, and surrendered your life afresh to Him. You will prosper in every area of your life.

We all have a free will to choose to:

“LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART, SOUL, AND ALL OF YOUR BEING.”

Amen.

To comment:Heather Dalzell SMS 0417 545 814

To support this ministry financially:Email address heatherdalzell777@gmail.com

To read more studies: lightinthedarkness152884863Wordpress.com.