
Ezra 1
Ezra 1 begins with the proclamation of King Cyrus of Persia, who allows the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. This marks the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy that after seventy years of exile, the Jewish people would return to their homeland. It emphasizes God's sovereignty in moving the heart of a foreign king to restore His people and their worship.
Ezra 1:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying,
2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah.
3 Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem.
4 And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.
5 Then the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.
In the first year of his reign, Cyrus fulfills Jeremiah’s prophecy by declaring that the Jews can return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Cyrus acknowledges the sovereignty of the God of Israel and invites all who feel moved to join the rebuilding effort. He also encourages others to provide support through offerings. The heads of the Jewish families, priests, and Levites who are moved by God respond to this call, showing that it is God’s plan for His people to return.
Ezra 1:6 (NKJV)
6 And all those who were around them encouraged them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered.
The people surrounding the Jews contributed to their journey and the rebuilding of the temple by giving them valuable items, including silver, gold, and livestock. These gifts show both the support for the returning exiles and the fulfillment of God's plan as He moves the hearts of others to contribute willingly.
Ezra 1:7 (NKJV)
7 King Cyrus also brought out the articles of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem and put in the temple of his gods.
Cyrus orders the return of the sacred items that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem. These articles are symbols of the continuity of worship and the restoration of the temple. By returning these objects, Cyrus honors the Jewish religion and facilitates the reestablishment of proper worship in the temple.
Ezra 1:8-11 (NKJV)
8 And Cyrus king of Persia brought them out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah.
9 This is the number of them: thirty gold platters, one thousand silver platters, twenty-nine knives,
10 thirty gold basins, four hundred and ten silver basins of a similar kind, and one thousand other articles.
11 All the articles of gold and silver were five thousand four hundred. All these Sheshbazzar took with the captives who were brought from Babylon to Jerusalem.
Cyrus entrusts the temple treasures to Sheshbazzar, the leader of the returning exiles, and the precise inventory of the items is recorded. The detailed listing emphasizes the importance of restoring everything that was lost during the exile. These items, totaling 5,400, were taken to Jerusalem with the exiles, signifying the full restoration of worship and the dedication to rebuilding the temple.