The Charge To Build A House For God

The Charge to Build a House for God  “Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? His God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem” Ezra 1:2-3
 
The Jews had been in captivity for over seventy years, Jerusalem had been destroyed along with the temple of God that Solomon built. Many Jews had grown accustom to life away from the city of God inspite of the bondage they were under. It was at this time the Lord raised up King Cyrus his name means sun and throne. He had been prophesied about a hundred years earlier before Jerusalem had been taken and destroyed. In Isaiah 44:28 he is called the Lords shepherd and rebuilder of the temple. In Isaiah 45:1 he is called the anointed one and the liberater of Gods people. He is a type of Christ in this sense.
 
At the command of King Cyrus the people of God were granted liberty to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple of the living God.  Take note that it was not a forced mandate. If a Jew went back it was because he wanted too.  
 
To go back would be an exercise of faith and an evidence of love for the Lord God of Israel. By all appearances there wasn’t much to go back to, but to the child of God it was the city of God. It was the place of true worship. 
 
As believers in Christ we to have been set free from spiritual bondage and can anticipate a heavenly home. In the mean time the Lord Jesus Christ has a house for us to build it is called the church 1 Timothy 3:15. We are to be co laborers together with him. He has given us all the resources necessary for this work just as king Cyrus provided for the Jews. It will be a matter of faith and devotion to the Lord that makes the difference. Only those who have a heart for God will do it. 
 
I find it interesting that God records the names of all who came back to Jerusalem in chapter two of Ezra. It may be mundane reading to you but to God it’s a testimony of those who loved him. Every one that has a heart for God and his house will be remembered. Do you have a desire to build Gods house? Are you thankful for the redemption of your soul? 
 
God wants real devotion not legalistic mechanical devotion that has no real heart for him. Check your heart, is it true? “But the hour cometh, and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth(scripturally): for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”John 4:23

  Read: Ezra chapter one 


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