Day 250, September 7 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 2Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1-2, Nehemiah 7:4-73a
God Answers Prayer; the Prodigal Comes Home
A prodigal might wonder if he can return home. Perhaps he even committed crimes and was sent to prison. He identifies with the 1973 song, “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree,” written by Irwin Levine and L.Russel Brown and sung by Tony Orlando and Dawn. Here is a good synopsis of the song according to Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia:
The song is told from the point of view of someone who has “done his time” in prison (I’m really still in prison and my love, she holds the key) but is uncertain if he will be welcomed home.
He writes to his love, asking her to tie a yellow ribbon around the “ole oak tree” in front of the house (which the bus will pass by) if she wants him to return to her life; if he does not see such a ribbon, he will remain on the bus (taking that to mean he is unwelcome) and understand her reasons (“put the blame on me”). He asks the bus driver to check, fearful of not seeing anything.
To his amazement, the entire bus cheers the response – there are 100 yellow ribbons around the tree, a sign he is very much welcome.
This song is still popular because it gives the prodigal some hope that he might be forgiven and return home. Sometimes, God answers even the most impossible prayers when he is pleased to do so.
Do we understand God’s plans and purposes so we will get more answers to our prayers? Let’s consider Daniel’s example from our last Bible study. He observed what the LORD was doing to punish Israel for her sins. He was also a student of the Scriptures. He read Jeremiah’s prophecy that in seventy-years, God will return the Jews to their homeland (Jeremiah 29:10).
Daniel also knew the LORD would only answer their prayers if they were humble, willing to confess their sins and turn from them. Daniel knew the LORD still has a future for the Jewish people (Daniel 9:24-27; 10:1-14). He claimed God’s promise and appealed to his mercy and grace to restore them to their land. Although their land is devastated and partially occupied by foreigners, it is still their home.
In today’s Bible reading, we see that the Sovereign LORD answers Daniel’s prayer. He forgives Israel’s sin and makes provisions to restore her to her land. How does He do it? Perhaps, King Cyrus of Persia is told stories of the Jewish people and Daniel. Some officials might have shared how God delivered Daniel from the lions’ den, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from a fiery furnace.
Someone else might have informed the king that Daniel’s prophecies were literally fulfilled, even the prophecies concerning Medo-Persia’s conquering of Babylon.
Perhaps someone else showed King Cyrus Isaiah’s prophecy, written 150 years earlier—Cyrus will issue a proclamation for any willing Jews to return to their land (Isaiah 44:28 and 45:13).For whatever reason, or simply because God puts it into his heart, King Cyrus of Persia issues a proclamation to allow the Jews to return to their land, as many as wish to go.
Over 49,000 Jews are among the first to return. Amazingly, most haven’t lost their Jewish identity after all their years in exile, but records were kept. Families are important to God. Listening to Daniel and Ezekiel, reminding them of Jeremiah’s prophecies, gave many Israelites hope of their return. Now they act in faith to reclaim their promised land.
In their company are some prominent individuals who will play a vital part in the rebuilding of the temple and the wall around the city: Zerubbabel, Jeshua [Joshua], Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai [not the uncle of Esther], Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah (Ezra 2:2, NIV).
King Cyrus makes provisions for the Jews to build the temple and sacrifice to their God. He even allows them to bring back the temple articles that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had taken. He could have sent them back empty-handed or not at all. The grace of God is magnificent!The Apostle Paul will later say the same thing:
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV).
The leaders of the Jewish families, according to their ability, also bring with them many treasures that they will contribute to the work (Nehemiah 7:70-73a). Their contributions show faith and pride of ownership in the restoration of Solomon’s temple.
Discussion
A prodigal may wonder if he can ever come home. What encouragement can we offer him from this Bible study?
Are families important to God? How do we know?
Why should we allow individuals to contribute to the work of the LORD?
Focus Verse
Psalm 20:6 (NIV) “Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead: Israel must act with Courageous Faith when encountering opposition. In our Next Lesson, learn how we can do this.
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