The exiles from Judah did not all leave at once for Judah. There were four mass exoduses over a period of 80 years or so. Some remained forever where they were.
Why? Why not go to the homeland if you might?
Some were retained by the King of Persia. The Jews in the country that was formerly Babylon had become useful and prosperous citizens. If all of the Jews left at once who would attend to the needs of the country? The economy would collapse. It would create a physical hardship as well as a financial one.
Some lingered because they were afraid of the hardships they might face on the journey back to Judah. The Prophet Moses went to Pharaoh and told him,
... "Go to Pharaoh and say to him, 'This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: "Let my people go, so that they may worship me." Exodus 9:1
Pharaoh released the Israelites to wander in the desert with Moses, and they went willingly enough, but did they ever display how they were still captive! They missed the comforts they had known in captivity.
Some stayed in Babylon because they had never known any other life. A friend of mine always said "Better the evil you know than the one you don't know." I can't say I ever found much comfort in that statement of hers.
Some stayed because they weren't certain of the life they might have in Judah. They had prospered here in Babylon. Why should they leave that prosperity behind to face an unknown future?
Perhaps some were angry with God, as I had been these past few months, and stubbornly refused to move.
Anger is only one emotion that binds us and holds us captive. So do jealousy, lust, lethargy, pride, fear. Each one creates another shackle that binds us more and more firmly in place and won't allow us to move on.
What's your reason for staying captive?
Song: Break Every Chain Jesus Culture with lyrics
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