Cyrus' Decree
Passage: Ezra 1:1-11
Persia conquered Babylon in 539 BC.
Overview
'The LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia', who decreed that the Jews could return and build the house of the LORD. He returned the temple vessels.
Going deeper
God fulfilled Jeremiah's word (Jeremiah 29:10) and Isaiah names Cyrus (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1). God moves even pagan rulers.
Key verses (KJV)
- Ezra 1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
- Ezra 1:3 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, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.
From the commentaries
1. in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia—The Persian empire, including Persia, Media, Babylonia, and Chaldea, with many smaller dependencies, was founded by Cyrus, 536 B.C. [Hales]. that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled—(See Jer 25:12; 29:10). This reference is a parenthetic statement of the historian, and did not form part of the proclamation.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory (1871)
At the conclusion of 2 Kings, and also of the preceding book, 2 Chronicles, we have seen the state of misery and desolation to which the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were reduced through their unparalleled ingratitude to God, and their innumerable backslidings and rebellions. These at last issued in their captivity; the inhabitants of the former country being carried away by the Assyrians, and those of the latter by the Chaldeans. ...
Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke's Commentary (1810-1826)
Application
- How does God use unlikely people?
- What promise has God kept for you?
- What would 'return' look like in your faith?