Ezra 1

Hi everyone,

When I'm really studying a book of the Bible, I try to write out some thoughts, applications, comments, etc. I've actually only completed this process for Ezra, and am closing in on completing my study of Nehemiah in this manner. Since a lot of the content of those two books deal with church planting, I thought I'd try to share some of my thoughts on here. Basically, I just plan to post my way through Ezra and Nehemiah from time to time. Sometimes I'll post everything, sometimes only a bit. Here is some stuff from Ezra 1:

Background on Cyrus

Cyrus, King of Persia, was a very good guy. According to his Wikipedia, Cyrus was a master leader and administrator. He set up a phenomenal government. He set up governors called satraps to help rule his people. Cyrus’s motto was “Diversity in counsel, unity in command” – meaning this guy sought guidance so that all might be united in his decrees. He’d win in a landslide if he ran for office in the US.

Cyrus was a lover of diversity. He proclaimed a freedom of religion. He helped the Jews rebuild their temple as well as reestablishing many cult sanctuaries. He helped the homeless and freed slaves as a leader in human rights. This guy was generous and turned conquered victims into loyal supporters. Cyrus was even pleasing to the Babylonian chief god Marduk (the chief god of the people he conquered!). Cyrus’s legacy is that he replaced his contemporary cruel cultures with a “humanitarian” love for people. One of the artifacts from his conquests, the Cyrus Cylinder, proclaims how much he respected all peoples and their gods.

The Bible is clear on Cyrus’s purpose in Isaiah 47:28 – 45:4; 45:13: Cyrus is God’s instrument to glorify God’s name – even though “[Cyrus does] not know [God]” (Isaiah 45:4).

Big Idea 1) God’s word is true (1:1)

Notice how God’s purpose in raising up Cyrus was that His word would be true. He gave Jeremiah His very word to preach to the people in regards to their enslavement to Babylon for 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11) and His subsequent restoration of His people (Jeremiah 29:11). The repentant nature of His people is not given for His reason of acting, for God need not have man’s approval or agreement to do anything. Rather, God said it, and so He will do it. It is true what He said through Isaiah: “I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it” (46:11).

This is why there is no need to question anything in the Bible. We may be amazed, or shocked, or dumbfounded, or unsure; but we ought not to disbelieve. To disbelieve the Word is to “make Him a liar” (1 John 1:10), for we are saying to God that what He has said is wrong. To think that a finite creature can say to the infinite Creator, “You are wrong!” is absurd. If ever tempted to disbelieve what the Father has said, we should humble our finite selves in presence of the Eternal God and ask for wisdom or repent of disbelief.