Go Or Help

     Today notice the two words GO and HELP in Ezra 1:3-4 that King Cyrus told the Jews saying Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him GO up to Jerusalem which is in Judah and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God) which is in Jerusalem. And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place HELP him with silver and with gold and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem. Let's learn about King Cyrus and his blessed proclamation GO or HELP.

     King Cyrus told the slave captive Jews of Babylon they had a choice to make. They could either GO and be a missionary to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple or remain in Babylon and HELP the missionaries by sending them silver, gold, food, clothing, and freewill offerings. Today saints everywhere also have to choose to either go to countries and become missionaries that preach the gospel or stay at home while they help by sending money, food, and clothing to missionaries.

     Like King Cyrus, Jesus and Paul told saints to GO or HELP with missionary work to save lost souls all over this earth. Jesus said at Mark 16:15 Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Jesus also said at Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. And Paul told us to help missionaries that preach Jesus all over this earth saying at 2 Corinthians 1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

     Alright, here's a historical summary about the Jews of Babylon and King Cyrus pictured above. In 597 BC, Judah and its temple was destroyed and demolished by the Babylonians because the Jews were worshipping idols.  All the Jews were hauled off into captivity into Babylon (800 miles from Jerusalem) for 70 years under the Babylonian empire. Then the Babylonian empire was defeated by the Mede-Persian empire. And the first leader of the Mede-Persian empire was King Cyrus who in 536 BC allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.

     It was a miracle that a Persian heathen king like Cyrus would allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. One of the most incredible predictions in the bible was spoken by the prophet Isaiah about Cyrus 150 years before Cyrus was born when there was peace in Jerusalem. Isaiah said that 150 years later a man named Cyrus would let the Jews go from Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. King Cyrus was a God fearing man and after reading Isaiah 44:28 (written 150 years about him before his birth) obeyed what it said: That saith of Cyrus (wow Isaiah correctly named Cyrus), He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

     And note that King Cyrus is the only heathen Gentile called the anointed of the Lord. Isaiah 45:1 tells us Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden to subdue nations before him. Pictured above, note that Daniel's prayers for his leader King Cyrus blessed the Jews when God had King Cyrus allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Like Daniel, saints everywhere pray for pagan heathen leaders, and God will use these leaders to bless the saints.

     1 Timothy 2:1 tells us to pray for our leaders in government saying I exhort therefore, that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. The Lord Jesus will hear our prayers and have pagan heathen kings bless the saints. This is because Proverbs 21:1 pictured above says The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water; He turneth it whithersoever He will.

     OK, back to our message about GO or HELP. After King Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, 43000 missionary Jews were willing to leave Babylon and GO to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. These Jews were willing to leave the sparkling riches of Babylon and travel to the poor temple ruins in Jerusalem that had been destroyed by the Babylonians. Today this would be like a saint leaving prosperous America and traveling to poor Haiti recovering from an earthquake.

     Note that the missionary 43000 Jews that went to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple were only a small remnant out of millions of Jews. Many millions of Jews that were secure, comfortable, and happy in prosperous Babylon chose to stay behind and HELP the missionary 43000 Jews. King Cyrus told the millions of Jews that stayed in Babylon to HELP the missionary Jews with silver, gold, food, and clothing.

     Friends reading this everywhere, today billions of people all over this earth need to hear about the gospel and our Lord Jesus. Are you willing to GO as missionaries to distant countries and preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus or stay home and HELP by sending these missionaries money, food, clothing, and freewill offerings? Remember your offerings and blessings to missionaries help them go to countries in darkness to win and save multitudes of people to our Lord Jesus.

     One day soon when we all get caught up to be with Jesus in the clouds, the saints will be rewarded at the bema judgment seat for all their good works given to missionaires that won multitudes of souls all over this earth. How comforting to know Hebrews 6:10 that says For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which ye have shewed toward His name in that ye have ministered to the saints and do minister. Be like Brother Bob and write something on this internet to save lost souls. Tell people everywhere to get saved, repent, decide to stop sinning, make Jesus their God, and believe daily that Jesus died for them on the cross, was buried, and rose again.

     I've enjoyed writing this bible study today that I pray in Jesus name blesses multitudes all over this earth with great peace and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.