It felt like the Exodus all over again. When the Israelites were in Egypt and Pharaoh had enough and sent them out, the people went out with the treasures of Egypt. The people of Egypt gave them all their gold and silver just so that they would go away.
Now Israel had been in captivity to the Babylonians for 70+ years and King Cyrus had ordered that they return and build the temple to their God. Several kings later, Artaxerxes was now in charge. Ezra, the priest of God, had favor with the king and his counselors and his officers (Ezra 7:28).
Therefore King Artaxerxes issues a degree that any Israelite who wanted to return should do so and go with Ezra back to Jerusalem. The King sent along with Ezra gold, silver and goods in order to purchase bulls to sacrifice to Ezra’s god. He also sent Ezra with extra to do with as he wished (Ezra 7:18). He also decreed that Ezra should be supplied by any of his outposts in the land West of the Euphrates. King Artaxerxes gave him his royal blessing and backing.
Here was a pagan king, the king of Persia, seeking to worship the king of the Israelites. Not only that but he put his money and wealth to make sure it happened.
This was the nation of Israel. These were the people that in only a few generations past were considered enemies. And now everything turned around.
Perhaps it was because the king saw the righteousness and goodness of the ways of Yahweh. People like Ezra had modeled that by living out his faith.
“Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the LORD, obey it, and teach its statues and ordinances in Israel” (7:10).
The righteousness of those who pursued God certainly did not go unnoticed by the Persian kings. The hand of God on Israel did not go unnoticed either, even though he had let his people go into captivity.
We never know who is watching. We can never know for sure the influence we have on another’s life that will lead to change in the lives of many.
But regardless, God used a pagan king to bless his people to return. Provision often comes in mysterious ways.
