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1. Study in Ezra Presentation 01
2. The Decree of the King Chap 1v1-11 Presentation 01
3. Introduction Some introductory historical remarks may prove helpful. The Kingdom of Judah finally fell in 587 B.C., at which time the bulk of the Jews were carried away to Babylon. Their first return to Judah and Jerusalem under Cyrus was predicted by Isaiah in ch.44v24 to 45v7, 11-13, and was foretold by Jeremiah in ch.25v8-12, took place in 537 B.C. This is the starting point for the book of Ezra. One of the first things Cyrus, king of Persia, did when he seized power from the Medes was to set the captives peoples free, who had been displaced from their homelands. This policy of repatriation had a particular focus when he decreed to release the Jews! Presentation 01
4. The Sovereignty Of God The clear lesson that stands out here is the sovereignty of God operating in the decree made by Cyrus allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem. God himself was behind their captivity and he was behind their release! Those who were spiritually aware knew that their discipline was controlled by his hands cfHeb 12v1. God was bound to his people and could not give them up [Hos. 11v8,9]. But He did not let them off either. When discipline had done its work he manipulated world events to suit his people. He raised up Cyrus to break the power of Babylon to effect the release of his people. Cf . Luke 1v52 This is the perspective from which we should view world events today. God is in control. Hallelujah! Presentation 01
5. The Sovereignty Of God Although Cyrus was a most humane king – [he produced the first “bill of rights” a copy of which hangs above the door of the United Nations headquarters] and one who advocated religious tolerance, he was aware of his particular calling to attend to the Jews. Josephus the Jewish historian says Cyrus would have been aware of the prophetic reference to his in Isaiah 45v1. But it was not merely gave the Jews permission to return home he actively help them to re-build their temple v2. This is amazing, given the ruthlessness of both the Assyrians, who carried the ten tribes away in 722 B.C., and the Babylonians, who carried the Jews away more than a century later. Presentation 01
6. The Sovereignty Of God The sovereignty of God means that the spiritual initiative always lies with him and never with the dark powers of evil. It is through this all important filter that we must view the difficulties and opposition faced by God's people not only in that time but in ours. Think of the strange experience recorded in Daniel 10, where the prophet was assured that his prayer for his people's deliverance was heard, but that nevertheless dark powers had resisted and hindered God’s answer. Daniel was told, "The prince of the kingdom of Persia resisted me” Dan. 10v13. It is in this context that the sovereignty of God is seen most clearly, for here, the king of Persia is made willing I Presentation 01
7. The Faithfulness Of God We have a necessary reminder here that the God, who allows so much evil to afflict mankind, is so righteous and just that he is not averse to punishing his own people severely for their sins. He is also watching over them during the years of their affliction and chastisement, waiting patiently to have mercy on them as soon as he sees signs of repentance. Not that, according to Ezekiel, there was much sign of repentance among the exiled Jews staying in Babylon. But a sizable number were more than willing to respond to the kindly and generous decree of Cyrus. Psalm 126 echoes their experience upon their release. “They were like men who dreamed!” Presentation 01
8. The Faithfulness Of God Cyrus’ invitation is so open, reasonable and respectful! The religious Cyrus obviously expected the God of the Jews to inspire his people to return to Jerusalem and Judah. What could have greater appeal to the devout Jew than to return to the city of Jerusalem to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Such language at any time, and in any age from the lips of a world leader is quite staggering and yet it merely gives a flesh and blood example to the biblical truth that, “In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him” Prov. 21v1. Presentation 01
9. The Faithfulness Of God The mention of the Temple vessels desecrated by Belshazzer both in Dan.5 and here is significant. The knowledge of the living God was made known in the court of Persia through Daniel. Faithfulness to God impacts upon others in ways far beyond our possible knowledge or understanding. We can trace Daniel's profound influence back to its source in the first chapter of his prophecy, and realise the vast and incalculable implications of his faithful stand when he "But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food”.Dan.1v8. Such a quality of consecration played a significant part in the ultimate restoration of the exiles, in the fullness of the time! Presentation 01
10. The Faithfulness Of God Cyrus’ decree seeks out 'survivors', that the remnant which Isaiah prophesied would return, Isa.10v20-22; 11v11,16, would be helped to do so. The local population amongst whom this remnant survived were to give them gold and silver, goods and livestock for the expedition, with freewill offerings for God's temple at Jerusalem! How exceedingly generous God is in providing for his people. In situations of hardship we should not lose sight of the great mercies of God who eagerly renews his covenant with his people when in repentance they return to him. The restoration of God’s work may seem to many to be long in coming but when God does act he does so with a magnanimous grace which is overwhelming! Presentation 01
11. The Faithfulness Of God It is clear from v5-6 that God is in control of the response in the hearts of his people. Cyrus graciously gave the invitation but it was God who put it into the hearts of the remnant of the two tribes [Judah and Benjamin] to return. We can be sure that it was God, who inclined the hearts of the local population to assist them materially with all that was necessary for their journey home . God did precisely the same thing at the Exodus when the Egyptians, perhaps relieved to be rid of the Israelites, gave them precious gifts which helped to furnish the tabernacle in the wilderness. God is at work in a whole variety of hearts in order to bring his purpose to pass. Presentation 01
12. The Faithfulness Of God The words, "The Lord moved the heart of Cyrus" v1 remind us that God anointed him, set him apart for this work. This cannot be overemphasised. because some baulk at the idea of a heathen Gentile - no mater how humane and altruistic he shows himself to be - becoming God's deliverer of his people. The narrow exclusivism of rigid Jewish orthodoxy of that day would be slow to accept such an unpalatable truth. But God can press anyone into his service, be they a believer or not, so that these ‘chosen servants’ accomplish his purpose. There are instances of people being converted through the preaching of unregenerate ministers! Presentation 01
13. The Place Of Prayer We must guard against determining who God can and can’t use and of substituting for faith in God our own preconceived notions of how God ought to work, or of limiting his activity to our own conceptions of what instruments he ought to use. Something else must have lain behind this stirring of spirit. We mentioned earlier Daniel's influence on Cyrus as a factor in the all-important decree. But there was surely something even more important than Daniel's open witness - the prayer life behind it. In the later chapters of his book we see him wrestling with God in prayer, confessing the sins of his people, and crying to God for their restoration. Presentation 01
14. The Place Of Prayer This is important because it is the prayers of the saints that indicate that the decrees of God are beginning to work. Prayer lay behind that moving of Cyrus' spirit by God, and prayer lay behind the raising of the spirits of the people to go up to Jerusalem. What could more effectively underline the importance of prayer in a time of spiritual declension and captivity than this? God is the hearer of prayer, and he can be entreated to move in liberating power, as the history of every revival of religion has demonstrated. Presentation 01
15. The Place Of Prayer But there is a more fundamental point to be made. Renewal can come only when God himself moves men and raises their spirits. We cannot have renewal when we like or organise a revival of true religion. Having grieved God away, and caused a famine of the Word in the land, the Church cannot blithely say, as they did in Hosea's day, "Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Hos. 6v1-2. God decreed the time and duration of his people’s captivity and of their liberation! Presentation 01
16. Temple Treasures The treasures of the about-to-be-razed temple in Jerusalem, captured and taken to Babylon by their captors, are by the decree of king Cyrus v7-11. They had been placed in the temple of the Babylonians gods, and had therefore been carefully preserved. Cyrus presumably assumed some kind of connection between the God of the Jews and his god. These objects are delivered and counted out - see how methodical the whole proceeding is - by the Persian treasurer, Mithredath and handed over to Sheshbazzar who is called a 'prince’ of Judah, but perhaps better a 'ruler' of Judah. Presentation 01
17. Temple Treasures There has been some speculation about whether Sheshbazzar is identical with Zerubbabel. According to Matt. 1v12, Zerubabbel was the grandson of Jehoiachin, the second last king of Judah, carried captive to Babylon with his mother, the widow of Jehoiakim at the age of eighteen and whose son, Shealtiel he fathered in exile. No family connection of Sheshbazzar is to be found with that of Zerubbabel. It is therefotre also possible that Sheshbazzar was a Persian official appointed to take care of the things belonging to the Jews, hence the title 'ruler' rather than 'prince' of Judah. Presentation 01
18. Introduction The inventory of pieces indicates that these were only part of the entire collection[10b], shows how marvellously God had cared for the sacred vessels during their time in captivity. If Sheshbazzar was indeed a Persian official appointed to care for the things of the Jews, the fact that he saw these treasures safely returned to Jerusalem, again shows how wonderfully God can cause those who do not know him personally to do his bidding. This should cause us to recognise that God so often works behind the scenes in ways that we cannot begin to imagine. Presentation 01
19. Template Text here Presentation 01