I have come here today to speak about the role that the exiles from Liberia's civil war have to play in the reconstruction of a new Liberia.
Some have asked whether the Liberian exiles should be allowed to return to play a part as leaders in the political rebuilding of their country. It is said by some that the exiles have no part to play. Some say that only those who suffered through the civil war should now step forward to lead Liberia into the future.
I would like to answer those individuals today. In making my answer, I have called upon the wisdom of Reverend Doctor Daniel Gueh, who said "Let the Exiles return to rebuild Jerusalem." Twenty-five hundred years ago, the Babylonians fell upon the nation of Israel, conquered it, and took its leading citizens away into exile. Most of the people of Israel remained, but they were without leadership, and unable to rebuild Jerusalem.
We are told in the Bible that when Cyrus, the King of Persia, overthrew the Babylonian tyranny, he freed the exiles from their captivity. God then chose the prophets Ezra and Nehemiah to lead the exiles back to their own country, where they could use the skills, knowledge, and resources they possessed to rebuild Jerusalem. According to the Book of Ezra, Chapter 1, verses 2-4:
Thus said Cyrus the King of Persia, the Lord God
of Heaven had given me all the kingdoms of the earth;
and he has charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem
which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people?
His God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is
in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel which
is in Jerusalem. And whoever remained in any place where he
sojourned, let the men of his place help him with silver, and
with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offerings for
the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
Thus, Ezra was called forth and challenged to ...