Ezra 1
-In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in order to
fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, was stirred up by the
Spirit of the LORD in his spirit to send a proclamation throughout all his kingdom
in writing. The proclamation said, “The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me
all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build Him a house in
Jerusalem, which is in Judah (Ezra 1:2).” This is a canonical tie to 2
Chronicles 36 at the end of the book where the exact same words are used. The
proclamation further stated that the people of the LORD, His people the Jews,
were allowed to go back to the land and to Jerusalem in the rebuilding project.
Cyrus worshipped the LORD, the God of Israel and he commanded his people to
support the work with silver, gold, cattle, goods, valuables, and freewill
offerings of all sorts (Ezra 1:3-6). King Cyrus also brought out the articles
of the House of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem
for his false gods. These articles were brought back with the exiles into the
Land and to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:7-11).
-*Application* When God is ready to make something happen,
He can stir up anybody to help the cause of the Kingdom of the LORD. He is the
One who turns hearts and minds and actions. Let us never forget the power of
the Almighty to accomplish the miraculous and rescue from any situation. He is
totally and completely able!
Verse to Memorize: Ezra
1:3
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