Summary of Daniel Ezra 1:1
“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing”
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 2: Ezra 1:1
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 2: Ezra 1:1
This reminds me that God can use anyone for His purposes, even me!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 2: Ezra 1:1
God prompts Cyrus to allow His people to return home and rebuild the temple. Interestingly, we don’t meet Ezra till chapter 7. Here, we’ll see the people themselves returning to the homeland.
Prophecies were powerful back in biblical times, so the king may have heard of Daniel’s prophecies, which helped to prompt him.
This is told in 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 too.
Ezra’s main purpose was to rebuild God’s temple (458 BC). Nehemiah’s main purpose was to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall (444 BC)
Cyrus’ decree was in 538 BC.
God chooses when to reveal the future to His people. Nothing can stop God’s plans or purposes.
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
Ezra 1:1 demonstrates God’s direct influence over world affairs to fulfill His promises.
The verse states that in the first year of his reign, King Cyrus of Persia was divinely prompted (“the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus”) to issue a proclamation. This act was not random; it was the specific fulfillment of a prophecy made by Jeremiah that the Jewish exile in Babylon would end after 70 years.
Essentially, the verse establishes that a major historical event—the decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple—was orchestrated by God working through a powerful, non-Jewish ruler. It sets the theme for the entire book: God’s faithfulness in restoring His people.
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