August 5

OT -- Ezra 1:1-2:70
The book of Ezra originally also included the book of Nehemiah. This is the story of the return of the Exiles from captivity, the rebuilding of the Temple and rebuilding of the Jewish culture in Jerusalem.
It is important to remember that not everyone was taken into captivity. There was a significant number of folks who were left behind and for the most part, these were the uneducated, the rural folks, the ones who had no goods or education that Nebuchadnezzar wanted.
Naturally, when the Exiles returned, there was conflict between the ones left behind the returnees. Also squabbles over who owns what and who is in charge.
Another important thing to remember is that not everyone returned. Who would want to leave the richest city in the world for a desolate backwater rubble strewn spot? Many did not. This is what is known as the First Diaspora. The Second Diaspora happens when Jerusalem and the Second Temple are destroyed in AD 70 by the Romans.
In the Apocrypha, there are 3 other books that are attributed to Ezra -- 1st, 2nd and 3rd Esdras.
1st Esdras is actually almost exactly the same as our Ezra with additions to chapters and corrections in the king order. 2nd Esdras is a visionary, apocalyptic book. 2nd Esdras is my choice for extra-curricular reading. Click here to go read it.

Our scripture today begins in a typical scribely manner. Counts of the men, silver, items with a bare mention of the women who also came along.

Proverbs 20:22-23
Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.

Ah, but not in my time frame.

It is really hard to wait for the Lord to wreck vengeance. As a matter of fact, I truly don't think he does. What if the one who did me wrong asks pardon of God? Doesn't he forgive them too? Why should he be involved in getting even?
It has taken me 50 years to understand the whole system of FAIR.
I want it to be FAIR.
It is not FAIR.
As Captain Picard would say as a Borg, "resistance is futile."
And to resist the lure of trying to make things FAIR is hard.
Lately, I have been trying to settle for KIND.
What about you? Do you still struggle with 'get even' or are you past that in your maturity?

Much peace to you as we begin a new week. Hopefully, you will begin it in the Word.