Ezra, Day 1
GOD IS FAITHFUL TO HIS PEOPLE
The Decree of Cyrus — Chapter 1
List of Returnees — Chapter 2
Background
Here is a little history to set up the book of Ezra. The Northern Kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrians in 722 BC. The Southern Kingdom (Judah and Benjamin) continued to exist. Babylonia invaded the Southern Kingdom at Jerusalem in 605 BC and destroys Jerusalem and burns down the Temple in 586 BC. Some Jews scatter into other countries. Some Jews are captured and live under Babylonian rule. This is called the Babylonian Captivity.
In 539 BC, Babylonia is defeated by Persia. The Persian king (Cyrus) had a softer heart toward the Jews who were now under his rule. According to Ezra 1:1, God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah to Cyrus the Persian king within the first year of his rule over Babylon and the captive Jews. The prophetic message moved the heart of Cyrus to put into writing a PROCLAMATION to the Jews. (Verses. 1:2 – 4). Cyrus’s proclamation stated:
- God has appointed Cyrus to build a temple for Him in Jerusalem, Judah.
- All Jews were encouraged to leave Persia and go to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple for the God of Israel.
The Jews started their preparation for the return to Jerusalem. Cyrus brought out of storage the articles that were taken from the temple by Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon) years before so that they could be returned to the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. Ezra Chapter 2 lists the families that returned to Israel and where they settled upon their return to Jerusalem. Everyone was gearing up for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple.
Timeline from the fall of Jerusalem to the return of Jerusalem by the Jews:
586 BC Fall of Judah, the temple destroyed by Babylon, captivity begins
539 BC Persia defeats Babylon
538 BC Decree of Cyrus, end of exile, beginning of the return of the Jews to Jerusalem
536 BC Temple started
516 BC Temple completed
458 BC Ezra the priest arrives in Jerusalem
Application
This is another place in Scripture where we see God’s redemptive plan in place that started back in Genesis. Satan’s attempt to end God’s redemptive plan by destroying Jerusalem through Babylon was thwarted by Babylon being destroyed and captured by Persia. God put a king in charge of the Jews that was open to rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple.
It is the same with our lives today. The COVID pandemic was designed by Satan to thwart the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The redemptive plan cannot be thwarted. It appears that we are on the downward side of the pandemic. Plans to restart ministries and edging closer to normal ministry activities are being discussed. Satan is trying to destroy churches and their ministries. God’s plan will not be destroyed through pandemics or any other technique devised by Satan. There will be many attempts by Satan and his angels to discourage the building of the temple in Jerusalem. We will see much of this during this devotional study of Ezra.
Throughout all of history — from the fall of man and the beginning of the redemptive plan — God is driving His plan. Satan is attacking. God will keep HIS Plan in place until the plan is completed. The victory will be celebrated that is recorded in the book of Revelation: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory!” (Revelation 19:6b, NIV).
To God be the glory and may His will be done.
Blessings from Carlton Ringer