Ezra 1-2 | God Moves Nations and National Leaders

We somehow think that God is far removed from the political scene. That men just do what they want, and God is nowhere to be found. But we forget the record in Scripture of how God moved upon leaders of many nations to accomplish His purposes.

A GODLESS KING MAKES A GODLY DECISION

Cyrus, the King of Persia in Ezra, Chapter 1 is a prime example. The Israelites had been captured years before and taken into captivity in Babylon. Prior to their leaving, the prophet, Jeremiah, had prophesied that they would be taken into captivity because of their sin, but would return in 70 years. At the precise moment prophesied, God moved upon a pagan king to accomplish His purposes.

Ezra 1

1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying:

2 “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

3 ‘Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him! Let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem.

4 ‘Every survivor, at whatever place he may live, let the men of that place support him with silver and gold, with goods and cattle, together with a freewill offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.’”

GOD’S SOVEREIGN HAND

Proverbs says that the "heart of the king is in the hands of the Lord and like rivers of water He turns it wherever He wills." (Proverbs 21:1). God is not limited. He puts down one king and lifts up another for His purposes. Sometimes those purposes are for judgment, sometimes for mercy.

If you want to make a difference politically you should engage in the political process. But there is an even more powerful social tool: PRAYER! Jeremiah told the people when they were taken into captivity to “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare” (Jeremiah 29:17).

Cry out to God with a humble repentant heart. Ask God for mercy on the land. Continually pray in faith that He would move the hearts and hands of leaders to accomplish the purposes of heaven. And at all times, be a channel through which Christ can be seen by a watching world.

King of heaven and earth, we pray for our nation today and for our state and national leaders. Raise up men who will lead with justice and mercy. Whether they are believers or unbelievers, overshadow their decisions with Your strong right arm. Direct them for Your purposes and glory. Give us the insight of Joseph to deal with our world wisely, the prophetic words of Jeremiah to speak boldly, and the courage of Daniel, to keep praying and serving You in spite of any opposition or cultural pressure. And lift our eyes to the soon-coming moment that we will be in Your physical presence in a Kingdom that has no end!