Ezra 1:7

Ezra 1:7 Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods; Nebuchadnezzar had defeated the Jews just because he thought that he was big and bad. But God had put it into Nebuchadnezzar’s heart to defeat the Jews because the Jews were rebellious towards God. And God used Nebuchadnezzar to punish the Jews and to teach them a lesson. But what a hard lesson it was! Many of the nation of Israel were killed. Many of their sons died in battle and many of their daughters were captured and taken away as slaves. The Jews lost their country and their beautiful city of Jerusalem was totally destroyed. The gorgeous Temple that Solomon had built was left in ruins. It was a hard lesson for the Jews to learn. But they did learn their lesson. And God did not forget them! After 70 years, God was bringing them back to Jerusalem! And God had a little surprise for them. King Cyrus went rummaging through his storehouses and found the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had hauled out of the Temple just before he had burned it – seventy years earlier! The Temple tools were still there in Babylon! And Cyrus was returning them to their proper place. He was returning them to the Temple. God was giving the Jews a special gift and a reminder. He loved them and had not forgotten them. And God loves you! He has not forgotten you! Look for signs of God’s love for you. They are all around. God will take care of you and He will remind you that He loves you. God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good.