PROCLAMATION
“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says, ‘The Lord, The
God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has appointed
me to rebuild for Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all His people,
may his God be with him …’ ” Ezra 1:2
(KJV)
EXPLANATION
The Bible Book of Ezra was written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by
Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar, according to Jewish
tradition. During
the first year of his reign Cyrus, king of Persia, issued a proclamation saying,
“The Lord, The God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He
has appointed me to rebuild for Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all His people,
may his God be with him. Go up to Jerusalem
...” (Ezra 1:1-3) Cyrus also said for
the people of Persia to support the people of Judah with gold, silver,
equipment, and cattle, in addition to a voluntary offering for the house of God
in Jerusalem. (Ezra 1:4) As the people
of Judah rose up to go to Jerusalem, the people of Persia gave them gifts as
Cyrus had decreed. Cyrus also brought
out the articles of the house of The Lord which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away
from Jerusalem. When the articles were
counted out to Sheshbazzar the leader of Judah, there were 5,400 of them. (Ezra
1:5-11)
APPLICATION
Only God can truly change the heart of an individual. The Lord God can turn our enemies into our
helpers. He can make our enemies our
footstool. (Psalm 110:1) Those who once caused
us to fall can be used to be a blessing to us.
Love your enemies, (Luke 6:27) The Lord may use them to bless you.
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