"This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: 'The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. This is what Cyrus king of Persia saysThe introduction of Cyrus, the king of Persia, is significant in the biblical narrative. Historically, Cyrus the Great was a remarkable ruler known for his vast empire and progressive policies, including religious tolerance. The Hebrew name for Cyrus is "Koresh," and his mention here highlights the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy ( Isaiah 44:28, 45:1) that a ruler named Cyrus would facilitate the return of the Jewish exiles and the rebuilding of the temple. This underscores the sovereignty of God in using even foreign kings to accomplish His divine purposes. The LORD, the God of heaven
This phrase emphasizes the monotheistic belief in Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, who is also recognized as the supreme deity over all creation. The title "God of heaven" reflects a common ancient Near Eastern expression acknowledging divine authority over the cosmos. It is noteworthy that Cyrus, a pagan king, acknowledges Yahweh in this way, suggesting a recognition of God's supreme power and possibly indicating the influence of Jewish exiles in Persia. has given me all the kingdoms of the earth
Cyrus attributes his vast empire to the providence of God, acknowledging that his authority and success are divinely ordained. This reflects a biblical theme where God is the ultimate source of power and authority, as seen in Daniel 2:21, where God is described as the one who "removes kings and establishes them." Cyrus's recognition of this divine gift aligns with the biblical understanding that earthly rulers are instruments in God's hands. and has appointed me
The use of the word "appointed" suggests a divine commissioning or calling. In the Hebrew context, this implies that Cyrus's role is not merely political but also spiritual, as he is chosen by God to fulfill a specific purpose. This appointment echoes the biblical theme of God raising leaders to accomplish His will, as seen in the accounts of Moses, David, and other key figures. to build a house for Him
The "house" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, a central place of worship and the symbol of God's presence among His people. The rebuilding of the temple is a pivotal moment in Jewish history, representing restoration and renewal after the Babylonian exile. This task given to Cyrus highlights the importance of the temple in maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel. at Jerusalem in Judah
Jerusalem, the city of David, holds profound significance as the spiritual and political center of Jewish life. Its mention here reaffirms its status as the chosen city where God's name dwells (1 Kings 11:36). The reference to Judah situates the narrative within the historical and geographical context of the post-exilic period, emphasizing the return of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland as part of God's redemptive plan. Persons / Places / Events 1. Cyrus King of PersiaThe ruler of the Persian Empire who conquered Babylon and issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. His actions were seen as divinely inspired, fulfilling prophecy. 2. The LORD, the God of heavenThe sovereign God recognized by Cyrus as the one true God who has authority over all kingdoms. This acknowledgment by a pagan king highlights God's universal dominion. 3. JerusalemThe city chosen by God as the place for His temple, representing His presence among His people. It is the focal point of Jewish worship and identity. 4. JudahThe region where Jerusalem is located, representing the remnant of Israel that returns from exile to restore their homeland and religious practices. 5. The Decree to Rebuild the TempleAn event marking the beginning of the Jewish return from Babylonian exile, fulfilling God's promise to restore His people and their worship. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over NationsGod can use anyone, even pagan rulers, to accomplish His divine purposes. This reminds us that God is in control of world events and leaders. Fulfillment of ProphecyThe decree by Cyrus fulfills specific prophecies, demonstrating that God's word is reliable and trustworthy. We can have confidence in God's promises for our lives. Restoration and HopeThe return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple symbolize restoration and hope. In our lives, God offers restoration and new beginnings, no matter our past. Divine AppointmentJust as Cyrus was appointed by God for a specific task, each of us has a divine purpose. We should seek to understand and fulfill God's calling in our lives. Recognition of God's AuthorityCyrus's acknowledgment of God challenges us to recognize and submit to God's authority in every area of our lives, trusting His plan and timing. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the acknowledgment of God by a pagan king like Cyrus challenge our understanding of God's sovereignty over all nations and leaders? 2. In what ways can we see the fulfillment of God's promises in our own lives, similar to the fulfillment of prophecy in Ezra 1:2? 3. How can the account of the Jewish return from exile inspire us to seek restoration and hope in our personal circumstances? 4. What specific tasks or purposes might God be appointing you to fulfill in your life, and how can you seek His guidance in these areas? 5. How can we better recognize and submit to God's authority in our daily decisions and actions, following the example of Cyrus's acknowledgment of the God of heaven? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 44:28 and 45:1 These passages prophesy about Cyrus, calling him God's shepherd and anointed, who will fulfill God's purpose by allowing the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple. 2 Chronicles 36:22-23This passage parallels Ezra 1:2, emphasizing the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy regarding the return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple. Daniel 6:26-27Cyrus's acknowledgment of the God of heaven is similar to the decree made by Darius, another Persian king, recognizing God's sovereignty. | Cyrus | G. M. Grant, B. D. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | Divine Communications | John Robertson., T. J. Holmes. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | Divine Stirrings in the Human Soul | | Ezra 1:1-11 | | God is Calling Men to Build | J. Parker, D. D | Ezra 1:1-11 | | God's House Built for the Sake of Man | J. Parker, D. D | Ezra 1:1-11 | | Inspiration Tested | J. Parker, D. D | Ezra 1:1-11 | | Returning from the Captivity | D. J. Burrell, D. D. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | Revivals | J. Parker, D. D | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Beginning of a Great Religious Movement | J.S. Exell | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Captivity of Evil | A. J. Morris. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Discipline of the Captivity | Sermons by Monday Club | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Edict of Cyrus | William Jones. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Exile Ended | W. Clarkson, B. A. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The First Year of Cyrus | Walter F. Adeney, M. A. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Fulfilment of the Word of the Lord | W. Jones. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Proclamation of Cyrus | William Sleigh. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Proclamation of Cyrus and the Proclamation of the Gospel Minister Compared | Homilist | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Return from the Captivity | J. Mackenzie, D. D. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Wide Reach of the Rule of God | W. Clarkson | Ezra 1:1-4, 7-11 |
People Benjamin, Cyrus, Jeremiah, Mithredath, Nebuchadnezzar, SheshbazzarPlaces Babylonia, Jerusalem, PersiaTopics Appointed, Build, Building, Charge, Charged, Commanded, Cyrus, Heaven, Heavens, Jerusalem, Judah, Kingdoms, Laid, Persia, Responsible, Says, Temple, ThusDictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 1:2 5367 kingdoms Ezra 1:1-2 5704 inheritance, material
7942 ministry Ezra 1:1-3 1035 God, faithfulness
1355 providence
7217 exile, in Babylon
7241 Jerusalem, significance Ezra 1:1-4 1305 God, activity of
4215 Babylon
5366 king
7240 Jerusalem, history
7468 temple, rebuilding Ezra 1:1-5 7135 Israel, people of God Ezra 1:1-11 4333 gold Library The Eve of the Restoration
'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, 2. Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and He hath charged me to build Him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3. Who is there among you of all His people? his God …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureYouthful Confessors
'But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink; for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Extracts No. vi.
[Here twelve pages or more of the objector's manuscript are omitted, as the nature of his arguments will pretty fully appear in the reply; and as he has been obliged to rescind the ground he had taken, it is not expedient to publish his remarks. That the reader may see a little of the manner, however, in which he has given up his part of the argument, the following is inserted.] "Speaking however on the evidences of revelation, you have stated some things worthy of serious consideration; which if …
Hosea Ballou—A Series of Letters In Defence of Divine Revelation Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Greater Prophets.
1. We have already seen (Chap. 15, Nos. 11 and 12) that from Moses to Samuel the appearances of prophets were infrequent; that with Samuel and the prophetical school established by him there began a new era, in which the prophets were recognized as a distinct order of men in the Theocracy; and that the age of written prophecy did not begin till about the reign of Uzziah, some three centuries after Samuel. The Jewish division of the latter prophets--prophets in the more restricted sense of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
[In the Prospectus of our Publication it was stated, that one discourse, at least, would be given in each number. A strict adherence to this arrangement, however, it is found, would exclude from our pages some of the most talented discourses of our early Divines; and it is therefore deemed expedient to depart from it as occasion may require. The following Sermon will occupy two numbers, and we hope, that from its intrinsic value, its historical interest, and the illustrious name of its author, it …
John Knox—The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3. The Iranian Conquest
Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a statuette in terra-cotta, found in Southern Russia, represents a young Scythian. The Iranian religions--Cyrus in Lydia and at Babylon: Cambyses in Egypt --Darius and the organisation of the empire. The Median empire is the least known of all those which held sway for a time over the destinies of a portion of Western Asia. The reason of this is not to be ascribed to the shortness of its duration: …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9 The Justice of God
The next attribute is God's justice. All God's attributes are identical, and are the same with his essence. Though he has several attributes whereby he is made known to us, yet he has but one essence. A cedar tree may have several branches, yet it is but one cedar. So there are several attributes of God whereby we conceive of him, but only one entire essence. Well, then, concerning God's justice. Deut 32:4. Just and right is he.' Job 37:23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity God's Sovereignty and the Human Will
"It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil. 2: 13). Concerning the nature and the power of fallen man's will, the greatest confusion prevails today, and the most erroneous views are held, even by many of God's children. The popular idea now prevailing, and which is taught from the great majority of pulpits, is that man has a "free will," and that salvation comes to the sinner through his will co-operating with the Holy Spirit. To deny the "free will" of man, …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ezra 1:2 NIVEzra 1:2 NLTEzra 1:2 ESVEzra 1:2 NASBEzra 1:2 KJV
Ezra 1:2 Commentaries
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