We are all in exile.  No exceptions.  Webster's Dictionary defines 'exile' as being forced from one's home country;  to "be in exile". 

Well, there was once a group of people who had been forced to live in a place outside of their Homeland, and their plight was well documented and preserved in what later came to the world's best-selling book, the Bible. The exiles I'm referring to are the Jews of course. In a moment I will explain what I mean when I say that we are ALL exiles, but first let me show some of the lessons we may learn from those exiles, and post-exile people.

  If you open a Bible to the book of Chronicles, first and second, and also read the book following Chronicles, which is Ezra, you will see how they came to be exiles; how they were forced out of their Homeland. You will also see how these people re-gained their Homeland, and became what I refer to as a 'post-exile' people. I read my Bible each and every morning, and have read it, usually at least once through, each year,  from cover to cover, since I was 16 years old.  That has been my practice now for nearly half a century. Today, as I read in Ezra, it occured to me, that it was clearly God's will for these people to return to their former Homeland, after 70 years in exile.  God had shown His spokesman Jeremiah that they would become a post-exilic people. The exile would become a part of their past.  But I also noticed, that many people did not want the exiles to be re-patriated and dwell where they had been forcible removed some 70 years before. 

Lesson #1  God has a definite Will, and He is infinite in power and ability- and yet -  His will often stirs up the opposition of Humans. Yet, God's will eventually must come to pass. 

We need to see this in our own lives.  Let me repeat that.  We need to see this reality in our own lives!   As I made this observation, no doubt aided by the indwelling Holy Spirit, I was stuck by God's wisdom.  How so?    That God allows human will, when contrary to His, to prevail for a season.  Imagine a God, who created Heaven and this planet we call Earth, making the decision to let the creatures He has made from dirt and animated, resist Him.  Now I can hear someone protest, "Why would a powerful God put up with resistance?  I certainly wouldn't!"  Let me share with you what the Lord God has shown me, and will show you also, if you seek Him.  If God did not allow us to sin, that is to oppose His will, there would never be an opportunity for us to come to our senses and change our minds, about doing His will.  Time is an ingrediant that is needed for change.  We all make bad decisons, pray tell me WHERE would we be, if we were not given any time to realize and correct our mistakes?  The Apostle Paul, in the New Testament book of Romans, says as much in the 2nd chapter.  God gives us time to change our minds, and to "repent".  We also learn from the Bible, in other words, from our Creator, that His patience is NOT UNLIMITED.  The Prodigal Son in Jesus' parable was granted time to come to his senses and return home again...but if he had waited too long...   What if the lads father had died?  What if the lad had died?  As the advertisements on televison often warn "But this offer expires soon, so act now".    Oh if only folks understood that God's patience, or apparent slowness to punish or avenge us is a GOOD thing.  It is the basis of His mercy to us all. 
God's patience is NEVER a green-light to keep going in the wrong directions.

But I titled this article "Lessons From Post-Exiles" and so what does God want you and I to learn from these post-exile Jews?  When you read Ezra, you will notice that the Jews encountered fierce resistance from the people whom the Babylonians had given their lands and homes to. They sent messengers to the Empires that rules over all these territories, and tried to get the powers that be- to shut-down these post-exile people, and essentially stop God's will.  The lesson is that, dear soul, God's will in your life will be opposed. We should expect that. Not because God is weak, or doesn't exist, or doesn't care, but rather because God sees that it will benefit ALL of us in the long run. 

Do we remember this when God seems asleep in our boat?  That oppostion is often the means of showing us whether or not we trust God?  That it also tests whether we care about others, or only ourselves?  That it is the basis of God's mercy?

I was convicted in my heart as I read Ezra this morning and contemplated these things.  I had to ask the Lord's forgiveness, because my attitudes were wrong. I had to ask His forgiveness, and was assured He had forgiven me, based upon His sacrifice for me on the cross, nearly 2,000 years ago.  I have much more to say, but I will conclude now.   Thank You Lord, for the gift of understanding, and the ability you give to grow.

Amen