Ezra 9-10
Dear RTB’ers,
Foreign wives – two chapters devoted to this topic. But it was an semi-related verse that caught my attention: For we are slaves. Yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection in Judea and Jerusalem (v. 9:9) My Study Bible then noted five Persian kings, from Cyrus to Artaxerxes I who had been favorably disposed to the Jews during their exile and especially in support of their post-exilic rebuilding of Judea and Jerusalem. No doubt, the Lord was at work in the lives of these kings, in spite of the Jews being punished and led into exile for their offenses.
My mind then wandered to people who have stepped up for me in particular circumstances or in difficult times, offering support or counsel, leading to both good and bad outcomes (unfortunate outcomes, in spite of these peoples’ efforts on my behalf). It’s just one more way in which God has been looking out for me, in these cases through the actions of other people. And you? Who in your life has stepped up for you? Time for you to do some thinking and thanking…!
Blessings.
Fred