Homilist Ezra 1:1-11 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 text suggests to us a resemblance between the proclamation of Cyrus and that of a gospel preacher. I. The proclamation of both is MERCIFUL. The proclamation of Cyrus meant restoration. 1. Restoration of lost liberty; and — 2. Of lost religious privileges. The gospel preacher has to preach deliverance to the captives and set men to rebuild the temple of the soul that has fallen into ruins by reason of sin. II. The proclamation of both is DIVINE. The God of heaven gave Cyrus this commission — it did not spring out of his own policy or philanthropy; it had its origin in God. "The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus." The true gospel minister is a messenger of heaven. He has not to proclaim his own theories, but the Word of God. No man is a true gospel preacher whose spirit has not been "stirred up" by the Lord, and who does not feel that necessity has been laid upon him. How does God stir up a man to preach now? 1. By a powerful revelation to his soul of the miserable moral condition of humanity. He is made to see all men in bondage and in ruin. 2. By firing him with the spirit of Christly philanthropy. The love of Christ is made to constrain him, etc. III. The proclamation of both is UNIVERSAL. The proclamation of Cyrus was to every Jew. Not one excluded. It is so with the gospel minister: his message is to all "Go ye into all the world." He calls upon every man to repent, to believe; he invites every man to liberty and peace. IV. The proclamation of both is PRACTICABLE. Cyrus laid down no terms difficult to fulfil. 1. The power to return every Jew possessed. All necessary helps were promised. 2. Cyrus furnished them liberally with the means to rebuild their own temple (vers. 7-11), so every man is enabled to obey the gospel. V. The proclamation of both is EXTENSIVELY DISOBEYED. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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, |
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