God Even Speaks to Pagans
The Persians conquered the Babylonians, and Cyrus became king. Since it was time for the exile of God's people to be over, God commanded Cyrus, a pagan king, to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.(Ezra 1:2) There is an important truth in this for all of us.
I have been told that until people put their trust in the Lord and become believers, they can't hear from God because their spirit is dead. This is not true according to the plain teaching of the Bible. First of all, God spoke to Adam right after his spirit died in Genesis 3. Here the Bible clearly tells us in Ezra 1:1 that God "stirred up the spirit of Cyrus." God can and does speak to unbelievers all the time. He showed Cyrus that He was the God of Heaven, and He commanded him to build Him a house in Jerusalem. That sounds pretty specific, doesn't it? God is not limited in His ability to communicate with anyone at any time. He speaks to all people to reveal Himself to them.(Romans 1:19) As believers this truth should encourage us, as we share the Gospel with others, knowing God has already been speaking to them before we came to share with them.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezra 3-5.
I have been told that until people put their trust in the Lord and become believers, they can't hear from God because their spirit is dead. This is not true according to the plain teaching of the Bible. First of all, God spoke to Adam right after his spirit died in Genesis 3. Here the Bible clearly tells us in Ezra 1:1 that God "stirred up the spirit of Cyrus." God can and does speak to unbelievers all the time. He showed Cyrus that He was the God of Heaven, and He commanded him to build Him a house in Jerusalem. That sounds pretty specific, doesn't it? God is not limited in His ability to communicate with anyone at any time. He speaks to all people to reveal Himself to them.(Romans 1:19) As believers this truth should encourage us, as we share the Gospel with others, knowing God has already been speaking to them before we came to share with them.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezra 3-5.