Summary of Daniel Ezra 1:1-4
Cyrus king of Persia says that the Lord has given him the kingdoms of the earth and appointed him to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. All of God’s people are free to return to their land to do so, and they will be given help and treasures to accomplish this.
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 3: Ezra 1:1-4
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 3: Ezra 1:1-4
Great stuff! I love how God always has a plan, and I love to see it unfold. So much hope for the people in these verses (and encouragement for us as we witness God’s faithfulness at work!).
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 3: Ezra 1:1-4
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.
Isaiah prophecied about Cyrus too: Isaiah 44:28-45:4.
We see this encouragement in the Books of 1 and 2 Chronicles to return and rebuild the Temple. However, only a small percentage of the refugees actually did (Isaiah 10:22).
There was only a small portion of people living in Jerusalem and Israel after the exile had taken place. They had it rough, but God was about to return! (2 Kings 25:12; Jeremiah 39:10; 40:7; 52:16). (Jeremiah 6:12). (Jeremiah 40:11-12). (Lamentations 5:2-5) (Lamentations 5:11-13).
The theme of Ezra is not only the return of the exiles to the Promised Land, but also with the mandate to rebuild the Temple. As always, religion is central in God’s world (and in ours!).
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
Ezra 1:1-4 records the fulfillment of divine prophecy through the official decree of a foreign king. In these verses, God stirs the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia to authorize and fund the end of the Babylonian exile.
The Proclamation of Cyrus
Cyrus’s proclamation, detailed in verses 2-4, contains three key components:
- Divine Commission: Cyrus begins by acknowledging that his vast empire was given to him by “the LORD, the God of heaven” and that this same God has appointed him to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This is a remarkable admission from a non-Jewish ruler, framing the project as a divinely sanctioned mission.
- Permission to Return: He grants all Jewish exiles throughout his empire explicit permission to return to Jerusalem to undertake the rebuilding of the Temple. He adds a blessing, “May their God be with them!”, signifying his official approval.
- Provision for the Journey: Cyrus commands his own non-Jewish subjects to materially support the returning exiles. They are to provide them with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, in addition to a special offering for the Temple project. This ensures the mission is not only permitted but also fully resourced.
In conclusion, this passage is the pivotal starting point for Israel’s restoration. It powerfully demonstrates God’s sovereignty, showing His ability to use the most powerful ruler on earth as an instrument to fulfill His promises to His people. Cyrus’s decree doesn’t just end the 70-year exile prophesied by Jeremiah; it provides the official authority, blessing, and financial backing necessary to begin rebuilding the nation’s spiritual heart: the Temple in Jerusalem. It is a profound testament to God’s faithfulness and His control over history.
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