Whenever God instructs us, he accompanies it with divine blessings. It is thus unthinkable why we sometimes deride God and refuse to obey his words. God’s words are for our good and not for evil. Whenever God wants to bless us, he gives us a charge to test our obedience to him. However we sometimes fail this test because of our perception or understanding of how God works. God’s charge is always an early notice to us that he is ready to bless us.
Psalms 35: 27 says great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant. Rather, we so soon forget about God’s words. Proverbs 3: 1-4 says my son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare will they give you. Let not loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favour and good repute in the sight of God and man. Jeremiah 29: 11 says for I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
From biblical history, among those who God engaged with resultant blessing from their obedience included the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; his prophets Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, and Amos; his servants, David, Joshua, Ruth, Samuel, Esther, Job, and Solomon. In the New Testament it started from John the Baptist, Jesus, his disciples, Paul and the converts till now. We will dilate on God’s charge to Cyrus, King of Persia in the book of Ezra for our study.
Who was Cyrus?
In the book of Ezra, Cyrus is said to be a king. He was an obedient and God fearing person. We may contrast his character with King Nebuchadnezzar who was an anti-God. God gave Cyrus an assignment to assess his loyalty just as others before him such as Abraham had been engaged and upon success became God’s friend. God engages those he loves for his work. We become God’s friends also if we commit to the task. With Cyrus as a king, God wanted him to be a channel of blessings for his people. God appoints leaders and they must owe him allegiance through Christ Jesus. In 1 Kings 1: 35 God said of Solomon, he shall be king in my stead; and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.
Proverbs 8: 15 says by me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just. A king or leader who desires good for his people must obey God in his reign. External or ancillary powers are not helpful. Proverbs 14: 34 says righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Our first priority must be to ask God, what work God has for us and how to go execute it. We must play our respective roles in righteousness and our nation will prosper. The woes we suffer as a nation is because we have removed God from the scheme of affairs. In the reign of Cyrus God’s presence was with Israel.
What was God’s charge to Cyrus
In Ezra 1: 2-4 the Lord God charged Cyrus to build him a temple in Jerusalem. We are all appointed in one way or the other by God for his purpose. All who appreciated the Lord God were to voluntarily contribute besides freewill offering towards the building of the temple. We must however note that it is not all alleged works of God that God has instructed. Some are by human design and we need God’s opinion in such matters. In the case of Cyrus, God was specific to ask for contributions which came in the form of gold, silver, goods, beasts, precious things, and an array of best contributions. Do we give our best to Jesus and his course when God demands of us? Our best is adjudged from the heart.
James 1: 17 says every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 2 Corinthians 9: 7 says each one must do as he has made up his mind, and not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Our charge from God is to contribute to God’s work though without compulsion. Cyrus’ charge was to build a temple. We may support God’s work as the Lord may touch our hearts to do for him. We must remember that God is the giver and owner of all things and gives for his purpose. Shalom!
PrayerDear Lord, we confess our failure to discharge the duties you have imposed on us because we have failed to study your word as we should. Help us to build the character of Cyrus and of the patriarchs that we may also be your friends. Help us to live by your word always and to appreciate that with you, we shall lack nothing. Let your charge to us be our priority. In the name of Christ Jesus we pray, Amen!!
