The Persian Empire was not a democracy. The king didn’t need to please his people. He was not concerned with reelection, and his word reigned supreme. The book of Ezra opens like the book of 2 Chronicles closes, with a decree from King Cyrus that God’s exiled people may return home at last!
Cyrus opens by crediting Israel’s God with his success. He states, “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth” (v. 2). We know from an ancient artifact called the Cyrus Cylinder that Cyrus made similar claims about the Babylonian god Marduk. So it’s doubtful that Cyrus had converted to true faith in the one true God. Nevertheless, Cyrus spoke more accurately than he knew, for in the case of Israel’s God, what he said was true. Yahweh, and not Marduk or any other god ancient or modern, is Lord over all things. The Lord delivered Judah into Babylon’s hands, and now He had moved Cyrus’s heart to free the people from Persian captivity.
Cyrus also said Yahweh “appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah” (v. 2). The temple was the cornerstone of Hebrew religion, where God dwelled among His people. But God was not confined to this temple—not even in Old Testament times—for He was with His people in exile, and He remained with them as He brought them home. It seemed that Cyrus didn’t quite understand the reality that God is God everywhere, for he calls him “the God who is in Jerusalem” (v. 3). Of course, God is in Jerusalem, but more importantly, God is everywhere. God’s presence dwelt with His people even in the land of Persia, where He turned Cyrus’s heart to decree His people’s freedom.
Go Deeper
What did Cyrus not understand about God (see v. 3)? Why does it matter that God rules over all things, including unbelieving kings like Cyrus?
Pray with Us
Heavenly Father, when we feel alone or abandoned, remind us of the truth that You are God everywhere. You are always with us and always see us, no matter where we are.
The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth.Ezra 1:2
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