“Every survivor, at whatever place he may live, let the men of that place support him with silver and gold, with goods and cattle, together with a freewill offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.” (Ezra 1:4)
OPEN UP:
The gifts to the returning Jews probably came from the many Jews who chose to stay in Babylon. God had plans for both groups.
People:
The LORD
every survivor — former Jewish citizens of Jerusalem and Judah (and their children) who had been relocated into captivity 70 years prior
men of that place —
“…could mean non-Israelite neighbors… More probably it designates the many Jews, especially of the second and the third generation, who did not wish to leave the land of their birth.”
(EBC-Vol4)
Places:
whatever place he may live — Babylonian cities to which the Jewish captives had been deported 70 years prior
– King Cyrus asks men in each place where captive Jews had settled to give money, livestock, and gifts to the Jews who were preparing to return to Jerusalem.
Were the Jews required to return to Judah?
King Cyrus didn’t require it. He only allowed it:
“Any of his people among you may go…”
(Ezra 1:3 NIV)
The earlier prophets suggest that God wanted His people to return:
“Leave Babylon, flee from the Babylonians! Announce this with shouts of joy and proclaim it…”
(Isaiah 48:20 NIV)
“…now, get out of Babylon as fast as you can… Lead the way home!”
(Jeremiah 50:10, 8-9 MSG)
Were the Jews who stayed disobeying God?
Godly Jewish leaders stayed in Babylon — Esther, her uncle Mordecai, the prophet Daniel, etc. God used them in positions of leadership to influence foreign kings and protect their people.
“…who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
(Esther 4:14 NIV)
Why would anyone prefer to stay?
If they had followed what the prophet Jeremiah told them when they went into captivity, they were well established in Babylon:
“This is what the LORD… says… ‘Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage… Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.’”
(Jeremiah 29:4-7 NIV)
“A significant group stayed behind, because they had become prosperous and were satisfied with conditions in that country. They enjoyed a great amount of freedom and some of them [were successful in] business.”
(NICEZN)
Did the Jews who stayed “miss the boat,” in terms of what God was doing?
The more I study the Old Testament, the more I am convinced of God’s ultimate control of history. This doesn’t excuse people from personal responsibility, but when they do return to the God who is not bound by time, He is fully capable of weaving mistakes into His Story, as if He always knew they would happen.
Many years before the Babylonian exile, when the northern and southern tribes of Israel split and civil war was imminent, God said:
“…You must not go up and fight against your relatives… for this thing has come from Me…”
(1 Kings 12:24 NASB)
(The Message version puts it: “I’m in charge here.”)
After that point, the Israelites — who had at least a dormant understanding of God — became increasingly scattered among the nations. Even during the time of the Babylonian exile, many of the Jews who had not been taken captive ended up settling in Egypt.
“THE DISPERSION was the general title applied to those Jews who remained settled in foreign countries after the return from the Babylonian exile… The influence of the Dispersion on the rapid [spread] of Christianity can scarcely be overrated. The course of the apostolic preaching followed in a regular progress the line of Jewish settlements.”
Source: Bible Gateway
In a more immediate sense, God used the Jews who stayed to financially support the Jews who returned.
“Although financially assisted by their rich Jewish compatriots, the Jewish returnees were poor and ill equipped to shoulder their responsibilities in Judah.” (NICEZN)
I’ve regretted the many years when I was busy with life and wasn’t paying attention to what God was doing.
God used those dark times, though. Especially when I saw how God brought me out of them, they made my faith far more valuable to me than it would have been otherwise.
In spite of wasted years, Jesus says it isn’t too late to do His work:
“‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ “But he answered… ‘I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you… are you envious because I am generous?’”
(Matthew 20:12-16 NIV)
I’m commanded to “go,” just as the Jews of the exile were:
“Go into all the world…”
(Mark 16:15 NIV)
“…go and make disciples of all nations…”
(Matthew 28:19 NIV)
I used to imagine traveling to do humanitarian work. I’ve wondered if my mistakes prevented that. But now I am in a position where I can financially support others who go.
Also — like the Jews of the exile — I have no idea how my circumstances might fit into God’s Big Story.
“…we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
(Romans 8:28 NIV)
“I’m in charge here.”
(1 Kings 12:24 MSG)
If today were my last day on earth, I would:
…trust that God knows exactly what He’s doing; if I’ve loved Him and have been called according to His purpose, my life has not been wasted.
God,
Just like everyone else who follows You, I want You to use my life in Your Story. You promised that Your Holy Spirit would enable us to serve You. Please let me walk by the Spirit today, and teach me to recognize Your voice.
For the sake of Jesus, whose work makes life well worth living, Amen.
References:
– Garland, David E. and Longman III, Tremper. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Vol. 4. Zondervan, 2010.
– Fensham, F. Charles. New International Commentary on the Old Testament: The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Eerdmans, 1982.
– Bible Gateway: The Dispersion
– www.blueletterbible.org
All verses are NASB unless otherwise noted.