LIBERALITY BRINGS BLESSINGS- Part 2

GOD SHOWED HIS PEOPLE A TOKEN FOR GOOD

The adversaries were ashamed while the building of the house of God  did continue by another king, king Darius through the records wrote by king Cyrus (Ezra 6:7) “Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God on its site.” This was the decree that the king issued concerning the house of God at Jerusalem; and to their adversaries the king said thus to them (V.6) “Now therefore Tattenai, governor of the region beyond the River, keep yourselves far from there.”  And in regard to the decree that King Cyrus wrote, King Darius was compelled too and added another decree thus (V.8) “Moreover I issue a decree as to what you shall do for the elders of these Jews, for the building of this house of God: Let the cost be paid at the kings expense from taxes on the region beyond the River; this is to be given immediately to these men, so that they are not hindered.”  “What a divine favor” Their enemies and adversaries had thought that they were done with them and there would be no more continuation of the building of God’s house. Beloved, those that had thought that they had buried our cases, that they had silenced us, God is going to show us a token for good in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen.

WHAT THEY DID NOT ASKED FOR OR IMAGINED, WAS PROVIDED

This is what Apostle Paul meant in his epistle to the (Ephesians 3:20) “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” These men found favor before the king because of the power that worked in them and all that they needed, and what king Darias thought they would need , he supplied to them (Ezra 6:9-10) “And whatever they need- young bulls, rams, and lambs for the burnt offerings for the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine and oil, according to the request of the priests who are in Jerusalem- Let them be given them day by day without fail, that they may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his son.”  Though a pagan king and not a Jew yet he did understand the Sovereignty of the God of the Jew; that He blesses and adds long life to those who fear Him and again believed the prayers of God’s servants the priests. Neither did he stop there but continued thus (V.11-12) “Also I issue a decree that whoever alters this edict, let a timber be pulled from his house and erected, and let him be hanged on it; and let his house be made a refuse heap because of this. And may the God who causes His name to dwell there destroy any king or people who put their hand to alter it, or to destroy this house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius issued a decree; let it be done diligently.”  These were the decrees made by Darius king of Persia besides those that were made by King Cyrus. And total destruction to those who would rise against their progress of the building of the Lord’s house at Jerusalem. With a liberal heart he issued a decree, supplied their needs generously and the work was done diligently that even their adversaries did support their work diligently as they did not have any option but to adhere to the kings decrees (V.13) “Then Tattenai, governor of the region beyond the River, Shethar-Boznai, and their companions diligently did according to what King Darius had sent. “

WHAT GOD HAS STARTED, HE BRINGS IT TO ACCOMPISHMENT

It might take years or delay but whatever God begins or whatever He commands His servants to do, surely He will bring it to accomplishment; the devil likes it or not, the enemy arises to oppose it or not, it will by all means prosper (Ezra 6:14, 22) “So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished it according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia; And they kept the Feast of Unleavened bread seven days with joy; for the Lord made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the of the house of God, the God of Israel.”  The Jews had completed their work. They had built the wall and restored the temple. This had been accomplished in spite of all the threats and harassment from their enemies. They were back in their homeland with the approval of the king. Now they had come together to celebrate victory and observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It was the first time they had been able to offer a sacrifice since their dispersion, for the altar in the temple in Jerusalem was the only place where a sacrifice could be offered to God. Their situation had seemed hopeless until God in His providence caused Cyrus to look favorably on the Jews and issue the proclamation permitting them to return and restore the wall and build the temple. Their impossible dream had come true. It is therefore good to know brethren, that in the worst of times and circumstances God is still on His throne. He has neither changed nor will He fails us in anyway.  The psalmist proclaimed (Ps. 32:7) “You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.”

GOD’S PROPHECY FULFILLED

The Lord prophesied through His servant prophet Jeremiah of showing mercy to the remnants of Israel  and bring them back to their land; be their God and them His people ( Jer. 24: 4-7) “Again the word of the Lord came to me saying, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge those who are carried away captive from Judah, whom I have sent  out of this place for their own good, into the land of the Chaldeans. For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land; I will build them and not pull them down, and I will plant them and not pluck them up. Then I will give them a heart to know Me that I am the Lord; and they will be my people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.” Indeed our God abounds in mercy and has a heart full of compassion. As He had promised though it tarries, beloved, wait for it; as His word will surely come to pass.

GOD’S TREASURE TO HIS ANNOINTED CYRUS

These were the blessings which came and over took Cyrus because of his liberal heart toward the children of Israel in captivity and concerning their return to build a house for their God (Isa. 45:1-3) “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 double doors, so that the gates will not be shut; ‘I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; ; And will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I the Lord, who call you by your name, I am the God of Israel.” This is the God I serve who shows no partiality. He does not consider whether one is either a Jew or a Gentile, neither a believer nor a non-believer; as long as an individual or a nation obeys Him, and do according to His commandments; He will show mercy, give compassion, act and release His blessings and favor in abundance. (V.4-7) “For Jacob My servants sake, and Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me that they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is none besides Me; I am the Lord, and there is no other; I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I the Lord do these things.” Because He is the creator of all things; the universe, the things on the earth and the things under the sea, He does what pleases Him. for the sake of His servant Jacob, the covenant He had made with him concerning his descendant, He used Cyrus a heathen to perform all His desires to the remnants of Judah in Babylon as they did return back to their land with silver, gold, livestock and much goods the same manner He took the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt; received favor and plundered the Egyptians. 

Our good God does not send one away empty-handed but as His nature, He does provide for the needs even if it means using a heathen-pagan or even a donkey as He knows how to turn the imagined into a vessel of honor and transforms too (V. 8) “Rain down you heavens from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness; let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together I, the Lord I have created it.” But woe to them who strives and contend with their Maker (V.9-10) “Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, “What are you making? Or shall your handiwork say, ‘He has no hands’? Woe to him who say to his father, “What are you begetting?”  Or to the woman, ‘What have you brought forth?’”  To any soul who allows God to use as a vessel of honor in spite of their backgrounds, the Lord will open the heavens upon them and release His righteousness to rain from heaven down unto them. Only never strive with God as He is a consuming fire. The blessing continues (V. 11-13) “Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: “Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons; and concerning the work of My hands, you command Me. I have made the earth and created man on it. I- My hands- stretched out the heavens, and their entire host I have commanded. 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 or reward,” says the Lord of hosts.” This man Cyrus found divine favor from the God of Israel; who molded him, transformed him made him a vessel of honor concerning the exile in his kingdom Babylon-how to release them and return to their native land and build their God a house. The man blessed the exiles diligently and plentifully as they returned to their land and in return; he did find divine favor from the Lord of host who granted him a turnaround blessings in abundance. We too can achieve these too if only we align with God’s word, obey Him and walk humbly with Him.

“Grace to you and favor from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with us all. Amen and Amen and Amen.”