In our Bible study on the Women’s Campus, we have finished a study on Esther, and we are now studying the book of Ezra. What are some things these two books have in common?  For starters, they are people’s names, both start with “E”, they are both in the Old Testament. Also, both Esther and Ezra are Jewish, but both have been removed from their homeland and are living in exile, at least when the story begins. Exile is a theme used throughout the Old Testament. Adam and Eve, Cain, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, the children of Israel, Naomi and her family, Ruth, Esther, Daniel, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel immediately come to mind. The books of Exodus, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, and Daniel are based on the theme of exile and return, as are several of the prophetical books. Exile is not stated per se in the New Testament, but because the people of Palestine were living under foreign (Roman) rule, it could be said that they also lived in exile.

According to Webster, the definition of exile is a: the state or a period of forced absence from one’s country or home, or b: the state or a period of voluntary absence from one’s country or home. 

So, a key factor in determining a period of exile is determining where one’s true home is. And then, if we are not at home, we are in exile. If one temporarily relocates to another state or country, say for a job, it could be said that he or she is in exile. When we become believers in Christ, we become citizens of Heaven. However, we can’t actually go to Heaven until after our physical death, so it could be said that as believers and citizens of Heaven, we are living in exile from our true home until that time.  What are some do’s and don’ts of living in exile that we can learn from biblical examples?

1. Do submit to and obey our local rulers with respect. Joseph, Daniel, Esther all showed respect to their earthly rulers. “For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer… “Pay to all what is owed to them; taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed” (Romans 13:4,7). “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.” “1 Peter 2:13-14”.
2. Do what is good. Joseph, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, and Daniel and were able to obtain positions of authority and respect and influence for good as a result.  Ruth found a godly husband.
3. Do educate ourselves, seek truth, and vote for candidates who we believe will make an effort to support truth. This is a very challenging mandate in these times. There are no perfect candidates, but here is what Billy Graham had to say on the subject: https://billygraham.org/answer/im-sick-of-politicians-and-political-campaigns-and-ive-decided-im-not-going-to-vote-this-year/. The bottom line is that we must educate ourselves on the issues and the candidates.
4. Do pray. When Daniel found himself in exile and needing God’s intervention, he prayed: “ So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.” (Daniel 3-5).  Follow the “40 Days of Prayer” guidelines published in Workplace, and I believe God will give us the guidance we need.
5. Don’t give in to politics of anxiety and fear. “But our world does not end if the candidates for whom we vote do not win the day. Our Father in heaven is sovereign and wise and is in control. Our ultimate hope is not in any election. Our hope is in our Father in heaven.” (Dr. Keith A. Mathison, writing for Tabletalk Magazine, June, 2016.)

“Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).

In Christ,

Judy