Essentially the Book of Ezra records (in some detail) the account (accounts, plural, really) of how the Jews who had been in Babylon for 70 years … were released from their captivity … and chose to return “home” to Israel, to Judah specifically.

In Ezra chapter 2 a sizeable group returned under the leadership of Zerubbabel.

Then again in Ezra chapter 7 another band came back to the Holy Land, basically under the leadership of the Book’s namesake, Ezra the Priest and Scribe.

People who loved the Land of their Fathers, the Promised Land, enough to uproot (after 70 long years, remember) their families and MOVE BACK to the Country God had long ago promised Abraham and his seed!

But alas, many Jews were NOT willing to relocate, pull up all the established ties!

They did NOT love their homeland that much!

Was God very well-pleased with that “lukewarm” crowd?

There is evidence that the answer to this question is, “Maybe not!”

We at least know this. The Book of Esther (its events) occurred after the first wave of Jews had gone back to Israel. The Jews whose very existence was threatened during the days of Haman were those who did not go home, when they had the opportunity!  (After Esther’s day, more Jews may have returned, but that does not affect the point of my Lesson today, not at all.)

And this fact is certain about the Book of Esther. God’s Name is NOT ONCE specifically used in the Book’s entirety! Not in all ten chapters!

Could this be saying, although perhaps faintly, that God’s Favor was not heavily resting upon that crowd? That even His Name was not allowed to be used (written) during that time, because the Jews then and there would not go back “home” then they had good opportunity?

In other words, those who chose to live in the “world” (to stay in Babylon/Persia) rather than in the “Holy Land” … were not given the privilege of having God’s Ineffable Holy Name identified (openly) with them!

Wow!

I want to live the kind of life so that God is not ashamed of me!

And He may have been a little ashamed of the Jews who stayed in their comfortable surroundings! On whom He did not clearly and repeatedly pronounced His Name!

Hebrews 11:16 comes to mind, spoken of the faithful … “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore GOD IS NOT ASHAMED TO BE CALLED THEIR GOD: for he hath prepared for them a city.”

Wow again!

Oh, to please God in our lives!

To love the things God loves!

To abhor the things God abhors!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

“But without faith it is impossible TO PLEASE HIM: for he that cometh to GOD must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6