“Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia.” 2 Chronicles 36:22
What does it mean when Scripture speaks of God stirring up someone, or some people? Certainly, it speaks of God’s working in the hearts of men to first give them a vision of what He is going to do. This we see when He stirred up Cyrus, king of Persia. Israel was coming out of the period of deportation of which Jeremiah had spoken, and written, a period of seventy years. God had promised Israel a new beginning, a returning to the land of Israel, as she was still in Babylon, or under the influence and control of the Chaldeans, succeeded by the Medes and Persians. Cyrus was the Persian king at the end of the period of deportation, a king, though not a Jew, was greatly influenced by the Spirit of God. We do not know by whom the Lord worked specifically to reveal to Cyrus that he was an instrument of God for the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, but what we do know is that there was no question in his mind that “all the kingdoms of the earth” had been given to him by God, and that God had spoken and commanded him “…to build HIm an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.” (2 Chr. 36:23) So, when God stirred up Cyrus, He gave to him a vision of God’s power, commission, and confirmation concerning that which he was to engage. The stirring probably began, after a knowledge of the will of God, with the desire and resolve to obey God. Cyrus was thus motivated, propelled in mind and heart, to accomplish the mission given him, a commission that had come from heaven, with all of heaven’s resources availablle to accomplish it. He was stirred up in mind, heart, and will to move forward with the objective, motivated by a conviction that the matter was one of eternal consequence and worth. It was at this time also, specifically at the time of Cyrus’ proclamation, that God raised up “the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.” (Ezra 1:5) The stirring up of Cyrus would expand to the raising up of many among the exiles, to return to Jerusalem to primarily build the temple. Again, there was a vision, motivation, and a means according to which the people were stirred and moved to act specifically according to the command of God.
With those returning who were among the captives, or exiles, in Babylon, there were several principle men, the first of which was Jeshua and then Zerubbabel. Returning with a remnant of the exiles to Jerusalem, they rose up and built the “altar of God of Israel.” It is important to note that the moving of God in their hearts was first directed, not only to leave Babylon and return to Jerusalem, but to establish again the true worship of God in Israel. This they would do, eventually laying the foundation of the temple. Hindered by enemies for about fifteen years, somewhat discouraged and defeated, God would move upon two of His prophets to restore the vision of God and the knowledge of His will. This God would do by revealing His word to Haggai and Zechariah, then transmitted to the people. The power and authority of those words would stir up the spirit of Zerubbabel, the spirit of Joshua the high priest, and the spirit of the remnant of the people. Stirred up by the Spirit of God, they committed themselves again to believing God for the reestablishmen of true worship in the land.
The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy, to “…stir up the gift of God,” committed to him. A fresh vision would be given him of God’s power and love.
Dear Father, Stir us up today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.