Restored by the Hand of God

 

Then rose up the heads of the fathers’ houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the LORD that is in Jerusalem. And all who were about them aided them with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, with beasts, and with costly wares, besides all that was freely offered. Cyrus the king also brought out the vessels of the house of the LORD that Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and placed in the house of his gods. Cyrus king of Persia brought these out in the charge of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah. And this was the number of them: 30 basins of gold, 1,000 basins of silver, 29 censers, 30 bowls of gold, 410 bowls of silver, and 1,000 other vessels; all the vessels of gold and of silver were 5,400. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up, when the exiles were brought up from Babylonia to Jerusalem. (Ezra 1:5–11 ESV).

 

As we continue in the Book of Ezra, we come to a passage that tempts us to simply rush through it with an attitude of “So?” After all, does it really affect us today to know how much stuff the Israelites carried back to Jerusalem when they were released from their captivity? Well, the answer is both a “yes” and a “no”. No, it doesn’t matter how many basins, censers, bowls, or other vessels they recovered and took back to rebuild the Temple; and, yes, it matters when we understand the principle God is communicating in this story.

 

The Israelites probably thought their old valuables for temple worship had been destroyed long ago. But Nebuchadnezzar had placed the bowls, basins, and other items in the house of his god. And King Cyrus knew where they were. God had a backup plan for his keepsakes. The lost items were returned for use in the new temple.

 

Was Israel ready to build God’s house of worship? Yes. Were the priests excited to lead God’s people in worship? Absolutely! And King Cyrus was ready to give back the stolen items because he knew God had a greater plan at work: to restore his people and guide them back to putting the Lord first in their lives.

 

God always has a plan for restoring what we think was lost. Regardless of how far you believe you have gone away from God, He has not moved at all. His plan is being worked in your life for great good (cf. Romans 8:28). Trust in His plan and purpose. He will restore all of His children to His glory! After all, we are “under the good and of God”!