Ezra 1: The Lord's Stirring and Cyrus's Decree
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,
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 an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.
And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.
And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.
Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;
Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,
Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.
All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
Ezra 1 marks the beginning of a new chapter in Israel's history, a transition from exile to restoration. This pivotal moment directly follows the conclusion of 2 Chronicles (2 Chr 36:22-23), creating a seamless narrative flow. The chapter unveils God's sovereign hand at work, fulfilling prophecies and initiating the return of the Jewish people to Jerusalem.
The Decree of Cyrus: A Fulfillment of Prophecy (Ezra 1:1-4)
The opening verses highlight the profound truth that God is in control of history. The LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, King of Persia (Ezra 1:1), prompting him to issue a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:2-4). This was not a random act of kindness, but a deliberate act of God fulfilling His promises.
This decree shouldn't have surprised those familiar with God's Word. The prophet Jeremiah had foretold that the exile in Babylon would last seventy years, after which God would restore His people (Jer 29:10). Even more remarkable, the prophet Isaiah had named Cyrus centuries before his birth, prophesying that he would release the Jewish captives and send them back to their homeland (Isa 44:28–45:13). The specificity of these prophecies underscores God’s meticulous plan and His commitment to His word.
The return was not mandatory. Many Jews had established themselves in Persia and chose to remain. However, for those who longed for Zion, this decree represented a second exodus, a liberation from bondage and a journey towards the promised land. Just as God had provided for the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt, He moved the hearts of the people in the surrounding regions to generously provide the returning exiles with supplies for their journey (Ezra 1:4). This emphasizes God's provision and care for His people.
The Response of the People: A Stirred Spirit (Ezra 1:5)
The call to return and rebuild the temple was met with enthusiastic response from the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, along with the priests and Levites—everyone whose spirit God had stirred (Ezra 1:5). It's crucial to note that God initiated this movement. He placed the desire to rebuild His house within their hearts. This highlights the importance of seeking God's will and allowing Him to direct our passions and priorities.
The leadership of the family heads, priests, and Levites demonstrates a crucial shift. Before the exile, spiritual and civil leaders were often at the forefront of idolatry and moral decay. However, in Ezra's time, they aligned themselves with God's agenda, prioritizing His kingdom. This serves as a powerful reminder that lasting change in any community begins with leaders who are committed to God's will.
The Return of the Temple Treasures (Ezra 1:6-11)
The returnees were equipped with everything they needed, including financial resources and the sacred temple vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had plundered when he destroyed the temple (Ezra 1:7). These articles were holy, dedicated to the Lord, and their presence in a pagan temple was a desecration. The return of these items by Cyrus was a significant act of restoration and a cause for great rejoicing (Ezra 1:8-10).
Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah (Ezra 1:8), is identified as the leader appointed by Cyrus to oversee the return and the temple rebuilding. While Zerubbabel is generally recognized as the primary leader, Sheshbazzar's role is significant. He is mentioned a few times in Ezra (Ezra 1:11; 5:14, 16), and it is possible that he died shortly after arriving in Jerusalem and was succeeded by Zerubbabel. Regardless, Sheshbazzar was responsible for bringing the temple articles back to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:11).
The numbers listed in Ezra 1:9-10 do not precisely match the total of 5,400 in Ezra 1:11. It's possible that the initial list includes only the larger, more significant items, while the total encompasses every piece, down to the smallest details. This attention to detail underscores the meticulous nature of the restoration.
Ezra 1 sets the stage for the rebuilding of the temple and the restoration of Jewish life in Jerusalem. It is a testament to God's faithfulness, His power to orchestrate events, and His unwavering commitment to His people. The chapter serves as an encouraging reminder that even in the darkest of times, God is at work, fulfilling His promises and bringing about His purposes.
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,
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 an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.
And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.
And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.
Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;
Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,
Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.
All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
Ezra 1 marks the beginning of a new chapter in Israel's history, a transition from exile to restoration. This pivotal moment directly follows the conclusion of 2 Chronicles (2 Chr 36:22-23), creating a seamless narrative flow. The chapter unveils God's sovereign hand at work, fulfilling prophecies and initiating the return of the Jewish people to Jerusalem.
The Decree of Cyrus: A Fulfillment of Prophecy (Ezra 1:1-4)
The opening verses highlight the profound truth that God is in control of history. The LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, King of Persia (Ezra 1:1), prompting him to issue a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:2-4). This was not a random act of kindness, but a deliberate act of God fulfilling His promises.
This decree shouldn't have surprised those familiar with God's Word. The prophet Jeremiah had foretold that the exile in Babylon would last seventy years, after which God would restore His people (Jer 29:10). Even more remarkable, the prophet Isaiah had named Cyrus centuries before his birth, prophesying that he would release the Jewish captives and send them back to their homeland (Isa 44:28–45:13). The specificity of these prophecies underscores God’s meticulous plan and His commitment to His word.
The return was not mandatory. Many Jews had established themselves in Persia and chose to remain. However, for those who longed for Zion, this decree represented a second exodus, a liberation from bondage and a journey towards the promised land. Just as God had provided for the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt, He moved the hearts of the people in the surrounding regions to generously provide the returning exiles with supplies for their journey (Ezra 1:4). This emphasizes God's provision and care for His people.
The Response of the People: A Stirred Spirit (Ezra 1:5)
The call to return and rebuild the temple was met with enthusiastic response from the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, along with the priests and Levites—everyone whose spirit God had stirred (Ezra 1:5). It's crucial to note that God initiated this movement. He placed the desire to rebuild His house within their hearts. This highlights the importance of seeking God's will and allowing Him to direct our passions and priorities.
The leadership of the family heads, priests, and Levites demonstrates a crucial shift. Before the exile, spiritual and civil leaders were often at the forefront of idolatry and moral decay. However, in Ezra's time, they aligned themselves with God's agenda, prioritizing His kingdom. This serves as a powerful reminder that lasting change in any community begins with leaders who are committed to God's will.
The Return of the Temple Treasures (Ezra 1:6-11)
The returnees were equipped with everything they needed, including financial resources and the sacred temple vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had plundered when he destroyed the temple (Ezra 1:7). These articles were holy, dedicated to the Lord, and their presence in a pagan temple was a desecration. The return of these items by Cyrus was a significant act of restoration and a cause for great rejoicing (Ezra 1:8-10).
Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah (Ezra 1:8), is identified as the leader appointed by Cyrus to oversee the return and the temple rebuilding. While Zerubbabel is generally recognized as the primary leader, Sheshbazzar's role is significant. He is mentioned a few times in Ezra (Ezra 1:11; 5:14, 16), and it is possible that he died shortly after arriving in Jerusalem and was succeeded by Zerubbabel. Regardless, Sheshbazzar was responsible for bringing the temple articles back to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:11).
The numbers listed in Ezra 1:9-10 do not precisely match the total of 5,400 in Ezra 1:11. It's possible that the initial list includes only the larger, more significant items, while the total encompasses every piece, down to the smallest details. This attention to detail underscores the meticulous nature of the restoration.
Ezra 1 sets the stage for the rebuilding of the temple and the restoration of Jewish life in Jerusalem. It is a testament to God's faithfulness, His power to orchestrate events, and His unwavering commitment to His people. The chapter serves as an encouraging reminder that even in the darkest of times, God is at work, fulfilling His promises and bringing about His purposes.