Ezra 1:2-4 – Let’s serve God willingly

What King Cyrus had done clearly affirms Proverbs 21:1. “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Cyrus’ decree that God’s people in exile could return to Jerusalem was clearly the work of the LORD.  Ezra 1:1 categorically states that it was He who had stirred up the spirit of Cyrus. The king was only making the decree to all his subjects on the LORD’s behalf. His subjects here would include the Israelites captured by Assyria as well as the Judeans brought into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar. When Babylon was the world power. Assyria was assimilated into it.

Clearly, God was the architect of the whole event. Not only was Cyrus the exact person He chose to use, but the people whom the king addressed were precisely where He had said they would be. So everything happened as God had planned. In Ezra 1:2-4, Cyrus acknowledged the hand of God was in everything he was doing. He first recognized that the power he had, was ordained by the LORD, the God of heaven.  Secondly, the task of building God’s temple in Jerusalem was an assignment he was tasked to do.

Addressing all his subjects, he did not say that everyone should go and rebuild the temple but only those who were willing. Only people who were willing to return to rebuild God’s temple in Jerusalem should go. The king also asked that those living around should freely offer their financial support to those who would go back and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.   

We learn from these three verses that Serving God and giving to His work should not be coerced. People who are compelled to serve or give will not do so willingly. And any service or support not given in the right attitude, will not honor Him. Service and support to God’s work must be offered with the right attitude. It is a privilege and honor to serve and give to His work. Offering service to Him grudgingly can never produce excellent results. Giving unwillingly will not please Him either. For God loves a cheerful giver. In giving or in service, remember Proverbs 21:2. Know that “Every man’s heart is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs his heart.” Let’s be like David, who would not offer to God anything that cost him nothing.