1 In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the LORD fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom:
2 “This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Any of you who are his people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild this Temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you! 4 Wherever this Jewish remnant is found, let their neighbors contribute toward their expenses by giving them silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock, as well as a voluntary offering for the Temple of God in Jerusalem.” 5 Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the LORD. 6 And all their neighbors assisted by giving them articles of silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock. They gave them many valuable gifts in addition to all the voluntary offerings. 7 King Cyrus himself brought out the articles that King Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the LORD’s Temple in Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his own gods. 8 Cyrus directed Mithredath, the treasurer of Persia, to count these items and present them to Sheshbazzar, the leader of the exiles returning to Judah.
I don't really think we understand submission and leadership.... one of the things God has taught me is that the leader really isn't leading.. it is God leading through the leader.. so we as people decide that a leader really doesn't know what he is doing... and we have such a better way of doing things if they would only listen to us... yet biblically.. God is saying that HE is leading us through the leader... so we are really telling God that our way is better than His.. and truly.. haven't we done that hundreds of times and ended up in a mess!
God used a pagan king to financially support Him moving His people back to Jerusalum... someone who didn't have knowledge of God or serve Him... yet somehow we determine that God can't move someone and God can't or won't get things done.. at least not to our satisfaction.. so maybe the real issue is.. we are looking for and wanting things to be done the way that is not God's way...
I am in full belief that if we could sit down and relax sometimes it would greatly be to our benefit.. and probably all those around us too.. LOL!
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