I took quite a few notes last week to prep for my “musings” this week. So, allow me to jump right in.
Regret from Sunday:
Generally, there is something I say on Sundays that I regret, and this past week was no different. At one point in my sermon, while talking about how the Lord adjusts our desires and passions, I said, “Like Moses, I’ve complained to the Lord, ‘the people you gave me,’ and the Lord used Ezra 1 to remind me that this is for His glory.” While that is an honest picture of my heart, without context, it may come across as a frustrated pastor. I am anything but that. I was referencing a few things before my sabbatical that I grew impatient about. These were isolated events, not the church as a whole. Those blips on the radar have tended to rob my joy, and the Lord used these things to readjust my thinking.
In reality, I could not be more thrilled with what God is doing in our church. This was one of the key highlights of my sabbatical. I heard stories of God’s work in and through our people, and it thrilled my soul and made my heart happy. Thanks for your patience and understanding. I’m amazed at God’s kindness to us.
Some things about Cyrus:
My faith increases when I think about what God did through Cyrus, King of Persia. God changed political regimes and stirred the heart of a polytheistic king to fulfill His promise to His people. It’s really a stunning act of sovereign grace.
But, did you notice how ‘normally’ God stirred Cyrus’ heart? Cyrus had political ideals, and he was a creative thinker. God used both of those things, and in the ‘fullness of time,’ He ‘stirred Cyrus.’ Cyrus thought he was just doing what was best for his kingdom, and God used that for the good of His people. This is important because of the significant influence of political ideals, government regulations, and elections in our country. There are moments when a President, with a signature or the ruling of the Supreme Court, can change the direction of a nation. No doubt the President and the Supreme Court are doing what they believe is best and making rulings from their own experiences, ideals, or agendas. But behind them all…God stirs the heart. Let that settle your soul and give you a renewed perspective of His care for His people.
There is some debate about whether or not Cyrus turned to the Lord. Some have thought that he became a monotheist, and the moment in Ezra 1 proves it. Josephus, the great Jewish historian, mentioned this in Book 11 of Antiquities of the Jews. However, a couple of commentators and some historical research helped me see that this was more than likely not the case. Marvin Breneman wrote, “The decree sounds as though Cyrus were a true believer in the God of Israel. But other inscriptions indicate that Cyrus followed a consistent policy of honoring the religions and customs of his different subject peoples.” Derek Kidner also stated, “According to Josephus, however, Cyrus had been shown the prophecy of Isaiah 44:28, which names him, and was eager to fulfil it. While this is not impossible, it has no corroboration, and Cyrus’s own inscription shows that any knowledge he may have had of the Lord was nominal at best.”
Goers and Givers:
We noticed Sunday in Ezra 1 that God stirred people to go, and He stirred people to give. This isn’t the only place we see this throughout the Bible, and it seems to be a principle of how God gets His work done. He stirs someone to go to a place, and He stirs people to give to that work. Then, when a work is planted, the givers continue to give to that work, and the goers become pastors or leaders in the local church, or they go to another work.
What’s interesting about this is that no one is excluded. In obedience to God, we’re either going or we’re giving. Both are heart-level issues. To some degree, we’re called to be both: we’re all called to go make disciples of all nations (homes, neighborhoods, work, and school), and we’re all called to give to God’s work. But God uniquely calls some to do more going and some to do more giving. This means we’re all called to serve in some capacity in God’s work.
This week:
That’s a good lead into this coming Sunday, when we study Ezra 2. We will study a genealogy, and Lord willing, we will all find our names written there. It’s a story of people who are called to build, as a nation. American Christian culture is comprised of two distinct types of individuals: builders and consumers. One is obedient, the other isn’t. It should be a fun Sunday.
If you’re familiar with Ezra, you’ll notice that chapters 1-6 are about the rebuilding of the Temple and chapters 7-10 are about rebuilding a people.
Cheap Seats (most people’s favorite section):
- How does a team lose its best players and then go on a roll? It’s what has happened to the Rangers. I can’t quantify this team’s turnaround except that they’re playing a level of high-IQ baseball that is fun to watch. This includes hitting behind runners, working counts, throwing strikes, and playing defense. The Milwaukee Brewers have done this all year, without high-priced stars. The Rangers beat them last night 5-0, and the dude who had 5 RBI’s for the Rangers was with three different teams this year. It’s a bit unreal.
- Moral victories don’t count in the NFL. But, for the first time since I can remember, my favorite football team (and curse) did not have a pre-snap penalty and had fewer penalty yards than its opponent. Yes, they still lost😂😂…which tells you what I think of the hopes of their season, but the team was ready to play and did some nice things.
- I read an article from an NFL wide receiver (don’t remember his name), who played for Oregon last year. He was asked if the Ducks could overcome losing Dillan Gabriel. He said, “Dante Moore was the best player on the field in practice so many times last year. He’ll be better.” Well, so far so good (and it’s tough for me to say that as a Beaver fan).
- Speaking of the Beavers…I’m not sure what to say. I’m not sure they’ll recover from the disintegration of the Pac-12. I think they’ll be fine in baseball, but I’m not sure about football.
Have a great week!
Christ is King!
Dave York
