Ezra 1:3 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… Notice — I. THE DEVOUT WISH EXPRESSED: "His God be with him." It is equivalent to our "goodbye," which is an abbreviation of "God be with you." The wish comprises two things. 1. Personal relation to God: "His God." This expression may be viewed in two aspects. (1) "His God," as opposed to the gods of the heathen. (2) "His God," as engaged to him in covenant relation. Thus our Lord speaks, "My Father, and your Father": "My God, and your God" (John 20:17). Martin Luther said that the sweetness of the gospel consisted chiefly in its pronouns, such as me, thou, thy, etc. "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28). "Who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). "Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:8). 2. Realisation of the presence of God: "His God be with him." His presence is a guarantee of all the help and blessing which we need. But in uttering this wish in respect to the Jews, Cyrus probably had an eye to two things which the presence of God would secure to them : (1) Guidance and guardianship on their long journey. (2) Success in their great undertaking. II. THE KIND EXPRESSION OF THIS WISH. The expression of this wish indicates on the part of Cyrus — 1. Reverence towards God. He does not utter these words thoughtlessly, but seriously. 2. Kindness towards the captives. He wished them well, and proved the sincerity of his wishes by practically helping them in their best interests.Conclusion : 1. Do we sustain this personal relation to God? 2. Do we realise the blessed presence of God? 3. Do we desire that others also may realise His gracious presence? (William Jones.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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