Ezra 1-3

 Link to full passage on Bible Gateway

Proclamation

 

When the time had come to fulfill the LORD’s prophecy by Jeremiah, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to send a proclamation throughout all his kingdom announcing that the LORD had appointed him, Cyrus, to build Him a house in Jerusalem. In the proclamation, Cyrus invited anyone among the LORD’s people to go up to Jerusalem to rebuild the house of the LORD. And many of the people, whose spirits were also stirred by the LORD, arose to answer the call. The LORD encouraged them with gifts of silver, gold, goods, cattle… everything needed to make this venture possible. When the time was right, God stirred up the spirit in a variety of people to fulfill his will. The Hebrew word for “stirred up” means to “arouse, awake as if from sleep.” This reminds me of the parable of the ten virgins who all fell asleep but were awakened when someone shouted, “Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet Him!” (Matthew 25). Only five virgins arose and answered the call because the other five were not prepared to. I am quite certain that there have been many times throughout my life that the LORD stirred my spirit to do something. Sometimes I rose up and answered the call, but sometimes I did not because I wasn’t either ready – or not confident that I was hearing the LORD’s voice. Dear Father, prepare the hearts of all Your people so that we may be ready to respond to You, whenever You call. Let us come to know Your voice, so that among all the voices in this world, we will hear Yours and follow You, wherever You lead. May we, Your children, be ready and willing to rise up to do Your will, whenever You stir our spirits.