Ezra 1, Big Idea 2

2) God works effectually in believers and non-believers for His glory (1:1, 5; Isaiah 45:1)

Notice how the events of rebuilding the Temple begin: “God stirred up the spirit of Cyrus…. Everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord…” (Ezra 1:1, 5). This was not man’s idea, nor was it presented to men for agreement. God wanted this done to fulfill His own Word, so He spoke and it came to pass. God’s present reign over the universe continues just as it began: He speaks, and it is.

Notice He does not just use the men of His household. God may use non-believers to accomplish His purposes. Here Cyrus, an unbeliever, sets into action what God’s eternal decrees.

It seems as if Cyrus may be a believer, for he even gives the God of heaven the credit for allowing him to conquer so much (Ezra 1:2-4). However, this guy is very manipulative or very misinformed. He actually did a very similar thing to the Babylonians and their false chief god about a year before this. The Cyrus Cylinder recounts the time Cyrus took over the Babylonians, and describes how he restored the city and, unlike their former King, he respected their false god Marduk. Yes, he is very tolerant; but that only means he either deceives all people with false conviction (manipulation) or he truly thinks that many gods exist (misinformed). Either way, Cyrus doesn’t truly believe in the one true God of heaven (notice Cyrus says in verse 3, “may his God be with him,” and in verse 5, “He is the God who is in Jerusalem.”). Rather, he is manipulative (trying to please people) or polytheistic (believing that different gods reign in different areas/peoples). Cyrus tried to please them all, and in the end, God concludes, “I name you, though you do not know me” (Isaiah 45:4).

In the end, God uses whoever He wants to accomplish His purposes (even vile sinners like His grace-received children), and He gets all the glory.