I knew it, having read Ezra a few times, in preparation for this series of lessons. But it had not “clicked” in my mind until earlier this week!
Ezra chapter 1 tells of King Cyrus (being “stirred up” to do so by the Lord) signed a decree (proclamation) setting the Jews free from captivity! Anyone who chose to do so … could then return to their homeland, to Judah and Jerusalem. This happened in “the first year” of Cyrus King of Persia, a fairly easily accessible date. That would be 538 BC, or thereabouts.
Ezra chapter 7 next tells of another release of the Jews, a second one, under King Artaxerxes of Persia. This exodus (about 458 BC) is the one that brought Ezra himself back to the Holy Land. God is touching hearts, here, even hearts of Kings!
Then (the Book of Ezra blending into the Book of Nehemiah, both having the same story line and same time period, being chronologically contiguous) in Nehemiah chapter 2 King Artaxerxes again (a third “release” now) authorizes a new company of Jews to return to Judah, about 445 BC. Nehemiah came “home” with “letters” of the King of Persia, authorizing his every move!
Three “returns!”
God is exceedingly gracious, here one might say triply (3 times) so!
Now … the “point” of today’s lesson … there were also three (yes, 3) deportations, three waves of captives … forcibly taken from Judah to Babylon around 70 years earlier!
Let me list them for you.
In 606 BC, not long after Nebuchadnezzar had become King of Babylon, a group of Jews were coerced into moving to Babylon, maybe even forced there in chains! Daniel the Prophet of God was among that entourage. See Daniel chapter 1.
In 597 BC a second attack and mass arrest of the Jews occurred, still with Nebuchadnezzar in charge. In this group went the Prophet Ezekiel, according to Scripture. Ezekiel 1 tells us, its opening paragraph.
And thirdly in 586 BC the final and most extensive (thousands of Jews taken) deportation happened. Nearly all the little nation was marched (cruelly) those hundreds of miles … from Jerusalem to Babylon! 2nd Kings chapter 25 tells the sad story.
Three “whippings” … God gave Judah, because of her unconfessed sins.
But (as we have seen) these were followed by three “periods of great blessing,” once Judah had been humbled before God!
Yes … three Disciplinary times!
Then … three Revival times!
Now watch this verse, written by Paul years later: “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God.” Yes, God can be “severe,” especially when rebellion and pride and sin are unforsaken! I’ve quoted Romans 11:22.
But God can equally (if not more so) be “good!” Particularly when humility has returned and humble obedience to His Word!
I just thought it was amazing that God so clearly “balanced” the “returns” from captivity with the “deportations” into captivity!
Truly (Paul again) … “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Romans 5:20
Hallelujah!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
What a God we serve!
“The Lord be magnified!” Psalm 40:16