The book of Ezra opens with a staggering declaration: “The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia” (Ezra 1:1). This was not a random political shift, but the fulfillment of prophecy spoken by Jeremiah and Isaiah—the latter even naming Cyrus 150 years before he was born (Isaiah 44:28; Jeremiah 25:11; 27:21-22; 29:10).
Cyrus did not merely “allow” the Israelites to leave; he became an instrument of divine provision. His decree involved:
- The Proclamation
Acknowledging that the God of Heaven had charged him to build a house in Jerusalem.
- The Performance
Granting liberty to a captive people to return to their ancestral home.
- The Provision
Commanding that the neighbors of the returning exiles assist them with silver, gold, goods, and livestock.
Being “Stirred Up”
The Hebrew word for “stirred” (‘uwr) implies an awakening or an inciting to action. It suggests that God takes a heart that is dormant or focused on earthly things and ignites it for a heavenly cause. Just as God stirred the King to provide and the Remnant to build, He is stirring the Church today. God is seeking to stir you.
Our Four-Fold Charge
If God could move the heart of a Persian king to restore a physical temple, how much more is He stirring the hearts of His people today to build a spiritual house?
1. Stirred to Reach the Lost
Cyrus released those in physical captivity. Today, we are stirred to proclaim liberty to those in spiritual captivity (Luke 4:18, c.f. Isaiah 61:1). We are ambassadors for Christ, pleading with the world to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Like the “neighbors” who funded the journey, we use our resources and voices to ensure the Gospel reaches the ends of the earth. Paul, in several letters, mentions and deals with a cooperative evangelistic effort that was being made.
The church gave of themselves, sacrificially, so the work of God could continue in the world (2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 8; 9:12-13; Philippians 4:15-19). We follow this model today to be the people God would have us be (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
2. Stirred to Edify the Saved
The exiles didn’t just need to go home; they needed to be built up. The clarion call to the child of God is to “stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). Our dealings with one another, whether in worship or in daily life, are to be a constant “stirring.” Our worship is to be “admonishing” (Colossians 3:16). This word (noutheteo) means to “put in mind” or “reprove gently.” Our preaching is to be, “reproving, rebuking and exhorting” (2 Timothy 4:2). This done properly ought to stir its auditors. And be it far from us to seek the new “thing,” the undiscovered nugget, for Peter said, “as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance” (2 Peter 1:13).
We must move beyond casual fellowship into intentional discipleship, strengthening the “living stones” of the Church and the familial bond. This forward momentum is captured and cultivated by going back to the Bible. It is really that simple (2 Corinthians 11:3).
3. Stirred to Restore the Erring
The return to Jerusalem was a return to the Covenant. When Cyrus sent the slaves back- they went back to reclaim the life and religion that they left in their promised land. The restoration focused on three primary areas: The Temple, the Sacred Vessels, and the Covenant Community. Those three areas encapsulate a lot!
While Jesus built an institution that would never be destroyed (Matthew 16:18; Daniel 2:44)- thus always ready to grow and impact the world, individuals of this institution do need restored.
The Call
“If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1). We are called to seek out the wandering sheep, bringing them back to the safety of the fold and the truth of the Word. Safety is found in the body of Christ (Ephesians 5:23), thus those that are restored from erring, are saved from death and ruin (James 5:19-20).
4. Stirred to Help the Needy
Cyrus provided “freewill offerings” for the house of God. Cyrus had a heart for people, and in turn asked for others to have a heart as well. Not only did funds come from the Persian Royal Treasury, he mandated aid from local Babylonian neighbors (Ezra 1:4). There were also wealthy Jewish leaders who would make sizable freewill gifts for the work (Ezra 2:68). Another blessing that had to do with “treasure” was all of the vessels for worship were returned from Mithridath the Treasurer (Ezra 1:8).
We have an obligation to remember the poor and provide for the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40). If God expects us to provide for our enemy (Proverbs 25:21-22), He certainly desires for His people to show mercy and grace to those who need it most (Micah 6:8; Proverbs 28:27).
True religion involves visiting orphans and widows in their affliction (James 1:27). Our hearts must be stirred to see physical needs as an avenue for spiritual impact. This accomplishes much for those inside and outside of Christ. It offers opportunity for evangelism (Matthew 5:13-16) and for edification (Galatians 6:10).
The same God who moved the hand of the most powerful man in the world to rebuild a temple in ruins is moving in you today. Do not quench the Spirit. When God stirs your heart—respond. Realize and recognize the privilege and possibility of joining in God’s work, with Him (1 Corinthians 3:9), to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).
If the Eastside Church of Christ can assist you in your journey to knowing God, please, allow us the pleasure of helping you. We have a website with a lot of good material- and a YouTube channel that you can also avail yourself to use. God loves you and we do too.
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