The Release and Return

Introduction:

Undoubtedly being enslaved to someone or some thing is would be traumatic. Similarly, being set free or liberated from captivity has to be one of the most joyful experiences. A quick search you can find PoW’s giving a testimony to this fact.

This morning if you are truly a genuine believer you also know what it is to be set free from the captivity of sin, liberated by the power of Christ. Most of us at one time in our lives have been chained to some sin, yet with Christ, He is the chain breaker. And that sin we had so often committed lost its power over us. No longer do we walk as captives of sin; instead we walk in the liberty of Jesus Christ.

We are walking, now as believers, toward the promised land of heaven, where we will live in the presence of God for all eternity. And in that day we will be perfected and freed from all the bondages and enslavements of this world.

Context:

The two main characters of Ezra are: Zerubbabel and Ezra the priest.

This is about 70 years after the southern kingdom of Judah was exiled into Babylon. Isaiah warned the Jews: if they continued in their sin, rejecting God and engaging in idol worship, they would be conquered and taken away.

We are dealing with a time period known as the postexilic era. This is where faithful Israelites were returning from their captivity back to Judah. Their purpose:

To reestablish the worship of the only true God, the Lord Himself

To rebuild the temple

To resettle the land

To rebuild the nation

All the books written during the postexilic era have a high focus on the temple, temple worship, and holiness. After all it was because of idolatry that the people were exiled to begin with.

The books are: 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

Zerubbabel is going to lead the first group of Jews out of Babylon and back to Jerusalem. And about 57 years later Ezra the priest will lead the second group out of Babylon to Jerusalem. 12 years after Ezra’s pilgrimage Nehemiah would also lead a group to Jerusalem with the intention of rebuilding the walls of the city.

Those who returned were not only reestablishing themselves as a nation, but also reestablishing their religion and the proper worship of God. The tasks were hard, so the decision to be diligent had to be even more firm.

This return back wasn’t a flippant decision, this meant starting over and in hostile territory. Zerubbabel would prove a worthy leader and righteous example before the people. He and his brethren rose up with zeal to build the altar of the LORD.

Ezra 3:2 NKJV

2 Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his brethren, arose and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God.

From there, Zerubbabel and the priestly leadership continued to lead and inspire the Jews to success.

Ezra being a scribe, was really careful when recording the official government documents important to the story. Ezra was also a priest; therefore, he was also careful to focus his writings on the importance of remaining faithful to the LORD.

Each person who returned needed relentless determination to complete the holy task set before them. They were going to face fierce opposition. But because of their dedication and strong stand for the Lord, the foundation of the temple would be laid and the temple itself would be finished.

I want you to keep this in the forefront of your minds as we go through this book, that Ezra was writing primarily to the exiles who had returned from Babylonian captivity and then to the succeeding generations.

These first exiles had returned to find their nation in ruins. After rebuilding the temple and the nation to a degree, they were tasked to remain faithful to the Lord. They were to pave the pay for the coming generations to remain faithful, genuinely trusting in the LORD and living righteously, and God would continue to guide and protect them.

Application:

There is an important application that we can pick up from this historical overview. It is no secret that our church has had its share of problems and hardships. Many years ago it left our church in ruins, and right now we are in that process of rebuilding.

And like the returning Israelites, we are not going to rebuild over night. This is why I believe God has lead us to study the books that we have already gone through: Romans, Hebrews, 1 2 3 John, and the gospel of John.

For our church to truly be where God wants us to be as a local church we all have an important part to participate in. We are all going to be called by God to become disciples and to be set-apart from this world. If the Lord tarries we need to continue to think about the next generation that will take over for us. We need to be mindful of our legacy.

“We do the greatest service to the next generation of Christians by passing on to them undimmed and undiminished that noble concept of God which we received from our Hebrew and Christian fathers of generations past.”

For Our Fellowship: ruins, rebuilding, restoration, legacy

Chapter 1: The Release

vv. 1-4) The Decree of Freedom

Cyrus, king of Persia, freed the Jewish Captives. At last the Jewish exiles were allowed to return to their back to their home. Now both Isaiah and Jeremiah had predicted this event.

Isaiah 45:1 NKJV

1 “Thus says the Lord to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held— To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut:

Isaiah 45:13 NKJV

13 I have raised him up in righteousness, And I will direct all his ways; He shall build My city And let My exiles go free, Not for price nor reward,” Says the Lord of hosts.

Jeremiah 29:10 NKJV

10 For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.

Now this proclamation gave any Jew who wished to do so the right to return.

Helpful facts:

559 B.C., Cyrus became king over Anshan.

550 B.C., Cyrus took control of both the Median and Persian nations.

539 B.C., Cyrus conquered Babylon.

538 B.C., Cyrus issued the Proclamation of Freedom

Secular sources record how Cyrus would bring relief to all the captives of Babylon, allowing the exiles to return to their homelands.

The famous Cyrus Cylinder, clay inscription found in Babylon in 1879, records this fact.

This begs the question why would he do this?

Most commentators suggest two reasons:

First, by allowing all exiles to return to their homeland, it would build public loyalty for his regime. He would also build a strong buffer zone between him and surrounding nations that might be a threat, especially Egypt.

Secondly, part of the inscription on the Cyrus cylinder says this, “May all the gods whom I have resettled in their sacred cities daily ask Bel and Nebo for a long life for me.”

There are a few who believe that Cyrus became a true believer in the only living and true God.

“It should seem, his mind was enlightened with the knowledge of Jehovah (for so he calls him), the God of Israel, as the only living and true God, the God of heaven, who is the sovereign Lord and disposer of all the kingdoms of the earth: of him he says, he is the God, God alone, God above all.”–Matthew Henry

“Daniel was a Prime Minister in the court of Cyrus and evidently led him to a knowledge of the living and true God. Cyrus knew what he was doing when he made a decree proclaiming that the nation of Israel could return to their land. We are told that the will of the Lord was fulfilled in that act. here is prophecy that was indeed fulfilled.”–J. Vernon McGee

There are several major prophecies that were fulfilled by King Cyrus.

Isaiah had even predicted that a ruler named Cyrus would set the Jews free from captivity. Being named in Scripture 100 years before he was born, and another 40 years before the degree.

Isaiah 44:28 NKJV

28 Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, “You shall be built,” And to the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid.” ’

Josephus, the first century Jewish historian, says that it was the prophecy of Isaiah that aroused Cyrus to free the Jews. Stating:

[Read]

Daniel could have shown King Cyrus these prophecies. We don’t know, what we do know is that the Lord “stirred” and “moved” the heart of Cyrus.

The royal Proclamation of Freedom was decreed 70 years after the Babylon Captivity. Just as Jeremiah had clearly predicted 70 years earlier.

5 points of the Proclamation of Freedom:

The title God of heaven means that He is in heaven and rules over the universe from Heaven. Cyrus acknowledges the Lord as the God of heaven and the source of his power and rule.

Cyrus claimed that the Lord had appointed him to build a temple in Jerusalem. He was moved by the Spirit of God.

Cyrus allowed any Jewish exile who wished to do so, to return to Jerusalem and Judah. He was not forcing them to return, but giving them the right. They were free to decide. They could decide to remain where they were, in exile and captivity.

God gives us that same sort of freedom too: [expound]

Cyrus ordered the returning exiles to rebuild the temple. The house of worship was essential to rebuild, the temple represented the very presence of the Lord. It would be important for them to get this right, after doing it wrong for so long.

Is it a necessity in your life to rightly worship God in spirit and truth?

Cyrus encouraged the Jews who did not return, to give financial support to those who were returning.

God’s Word is always fulfilled: every prophecy, every promise, and every judgement. Every prediction concerning past history has been fulfilled. And every prediction concerning future history will be fulfilled too.

The prophecies concerning the return of Christ will take place: people be ready, Jesus is coming.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 NKJV

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

The promise that the believer will receive eternal life is true.

John 3:36 NKJV

36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

The prophecies of a new heavens and earth will be fulfilled.

Revelation 21:1 NKJV

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.

The prophecies concerning the coming judgment of God will take place. Every human will stand before God… The believer the bema seat, and the unbeliever according to their sin.

Hebrews 9:27 NKJV

27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

The prophecies of God—every word He has ever predicted—is absolutely trustworthy.

1 Corinthians 1:9 NKJV

9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

vv. 5-11) Preparation for Service

News about this proclamation was bound to spread like wildfire throughout the Jewish community in the Persian Empire. What joy and celebration there must have been.

Freedom surely flooded the hearts of the people. They could now be liberated, set free to return to their homeland.

Yet, for many this would be a difficult decision. They’ve been living in this foreign land for 70 years. and they would have settled the land, many were born and raised in Babylon it was the only home they had ever known. Owning home, property, businesses, and some probably had a comfortable existence. The return would mean giving up all of this.

They would be sacrificing all they had built up and secured over the last 50 years. In returning, they would need to start over, building their lives all over again. This is because Jerusalem and other cities of Judah had been decimated by the Babylonians.

Nevertheless, almost 50,000 Jews decided to return. But notice what was behind their decision to return.

The Lord “moved” their hearts right here in verse 5. The Hebrew word means to awaken, arouse, stir, raise up. These exiles were aroused, constrained by the Lord to return to the promised Land. The spirit of God worked in their hearts, stirring them to make that important decision to return.

The question of who exactly were these 50,000 courageous people?

Who demonstrated such a strong faith in the Lord and the wonderful promises He had given to Abraham and the descendants of faith?

They were primarily from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, along with some religious leaders from among the priests and Levites.

The point here to note, is the returnees’ strong, unwavering faith in the Lord and His promises.

Those remaining in Babylon were to give financially to those who were returning.

And those who stated behind gave liberally. Giving financial aid, supplies, and livestock, as well as freewill offerings.

These gifts were to be used for the rebuilding of the homes, society, and temple of the the nation.

Among those who contributed King Cyrus, retuned all the temple furnishings and articles that Nebuchadnezzar had plundered.

As for the Identity of Sheshbazzar is disputed. It could be that Sheshbazzar is the Persian name and Zerubbabel being the Jewish name.

Application:

The preparation for the returning exiles is a striking picture for us. Their preparation shows us how we must be prepared to serve the Lord.

We must be prepared spiritually to serve God just as they were prepared spiritually. God’s Word gives us at least nine ways to prepare ourselves for service:

We must first be saved through Jesus Christ.

We must ask the Lord to create a clean heart and to renew a right spirit within us.

We must put off the old man and put on the new man.

We must present our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord and not to be conformed to this world.

We must obey God and follow His leadership, the stirrings of the Holy Spirit within our hearts.

We must seek those things that are above, the heavenly things of God.

We must pray continually, seeking the Lord for strength and waiting upon Him truly trusting Him process.

We must put on the whole armor of God so that we can stand against all temptations, trials, and the wiles of the devil.

We must trust the Lord with all our heart and acknowledge Him in all our ways.

We must be prepared materially to serve the Lord. Finances are an absolute essential in order to take the gospel to the world, to meet the needs of the hurting people, and to support the church and God’s servants worldwide.

Listen to what God’s Word says about supporting His word throughout the world:

Matthew 5:42 NKJV

42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

Matthew 6:33 NKJV

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Acts 20:35 NKJV

35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Romans 12:13 NKJV

13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

Deuteronomy 16:17 NKJV

17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.

Proverbs 25:21 NKJV

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

Chapter 2: The Return

vv 1-70) Example of Commitment:

Chapter two lists the captives who returned to Jerusalem and the other towns of Judah. It is somewhat understandable why a list like this might often be skipped by readers.

But there are several facts about this list of names we needs to be kept in mind.

First, these were the people who genuinely believed God and His promises, in particular, the promise that He had truly given them the promised land as their permanent possession.

Second, these were the people who were to continue carrying out God’s purposes for the human race.

In about 500 years God would send His Son Jesus Christ.

He would also use these faithful followers to preserve His Word.

Third, these were the individual Jews who trusted the Lord and the promises given to Abraham. They believed the promises of God enough to sacrifice all they had to return to the promise land.

Fourth, these were the people who in most cases could prove their genealogy and ancestry, who could prove their claim to family property and their right of inheritance in the promise land.

Some of the returnees did not have proof of their Jewish ancestry. Nevertheless, they were allowed to settle in the land, but were probably only given the rights of foreigners.

Any person who claimed to be a priest by could not prove his ancestry was excluded from the priesthood. They were excluded, only until their claim could be proven by a true priest seeking the Lord’s validation through the Urim and Thummim.

Application:

The captivity of the Jews and their returning to the Lord and the promised land are powerful examples for us. If we turn away from the Lord and become captured by sin or the world, we too must make a renewed commitment to the Lord.

We must repent of our sin, turning back to the Lord and beginning a renewed walk toward the promised land of heaven.

The thing is though, if we continue to walk in sin, we will destroy any hope of living fruitful and victorious lives. We will lose the assurance of pleasing God and of living with God eternally, lose the God-given strength to conquer the trials and temptations of this life.

Family it would be such a shame to come face-to-face with a terminal disease or death itself, and to be griped with fear and regret.

There is a Proclamation of Freedom offered to every one of us. Even if we are gripped by sin and worldliness, we can be set free, liberated.

All we have to do is repent, turn away from the land of sin and captivity and turn to God and the hope of spending an eternity with God is yours.

Committing our lives to God will set us free, liberate us to live eternally with Him. Listen to what God’s Word says about commitment to the Lord:

Mark 10:28 NKJV

28 Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”

John 8:12 NKJV

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Romans 8:13 NKJV

13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Philippians 3:8 NKJV

8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Numbers 6:24–26 NKJV

24 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’