Table of Contents
The Decree of King Cyrus (Ezra 1:1-4)
Ezra 1:1-2 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah was fulfilled. The Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia. He made a proclamation throughout his kingdom. He also put it in writing. He said, “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build a temple for him in Jerusalem in Judah.'” These verses open the book of Ezra. They are almost identical to the final verses of 2 Chronicles. This links the story of the fall of Jerusalem to the beginning of the restoration. The seventy years of captivity were over. God used a pagan king, Cyrus, to fulfill His plan. The text emphasizes that God moved the heart of Cyrus. This shows God’s sovereignty over all nations and all rulers. Cyrus’s acknowledgment of the God of heaven is a remarkable statement. It shows God’s influence on the world stage. Cyrus’s decree was a sign of God’s faithfulness to His promises.
Ezra 1:3-4 Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. And let anyone who survives, in any place where he may live, be assisted by his neighbors with silver and gold, with goods and with cattle, along with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem. The decree was not just a permission slip. It was a command. Cyrus called for the people to return. He also encouraged their neighbors to help them. This assistance was a form of restitution. The people who were once captives were now being sent home with provisions. The purpose was clear: to rebuild the temple. This was the central focus of the return. The temple was a symbol of God’s presence among His people. Its restoration was a priority.
The Response of the People (Ezra 1:5-6)
Ezra 1:5 The family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites, and everyone whose spirit God had moved, prepared to go up and build the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. This verse describes the positive response to Cyrus’s decree. The return was not a forced event. It was a voluntary movement. Only those whose spirits were moved by God responded. This shows that the revival was spiritual. It was not just political. The heads of the families were the leaders of the movement. This shows a grass-roots effort. The priests and Levites were also prominent. Their involvement was necessary for the temple’s rebuilding and future services.
Ezra 1:6 All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and with cattle and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings. This verse details the generosity of the surrounding peoples. It was a direct fulfillment of Cyrus’s decree. The assistance went beyond the required help. It included freewill offerings. This shows that the people’s neighbors were also moved. This generosity helped to make the return possible. It provided the necessary resources for the journey and the rebuilding project. It was a contrast to the Israelites’ journey out of Egypt. They were plundered. Now they were being sent home with gifts.
The Restoration of Temple Articles (Ezra 1:7-11)
Ezra 1:7-8 King Cyrus also brought out the articles belonging to the temple of the Lord. These were the articles that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem and placed in the temple of his god. Cyrus king of Persia had them brought by the treasurer Mithredath. Mithredath counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah. These verses are a powerful symbol of restoration. The temple articles had been taken by Nebuchadnezzar. They were trophies of war. Their return was a sign that God’s people were being restored. The king of Persia was returning what had been plundered. This was a miraculous act. It showed the world that the God of Israel was the true God. The articles were entrusted to Sheshbazzar. He was a leader of the return.
Ezra 1:9-11 This was the number of them: 30 gold basins, 1,000 silver basins, 29 censers, 30 gold bowls, 410 silver bowls, and 1,000 other articles. In all, there were 5,400 articles of gold and silver. Sheshbazzar brought all these with him when the exiles went up from Babylon to Jerusalem. The detailed list of the articles adds to the narrative’s authenticity. The specific numbers confirm the significance of the event. The objects were not just random items. They were articles of worship. Their restoration was a sign that the worship of God would be restored. The total count was impressive. It was a visible sign of God’s faithfulness. The return was not just about people. It was about the restoration of worship.
A Verse by Verse Commentary
Ezra 1:1-2: Prophecy Fulfilled The chapter begins by linking the end of the exile to the words of the prophet Jeremiah. This shows the truth of God’s promises. God used Cyrus, a foreign king, to accomplish His purpose. This demonstrates God’s sovereignty over all rulers.
Ezra 1:3-4: A Generous Command Cyrus’s decree was very generous. He not only allowed the people to return. He also commanded their neighbors to assist them. This was to provide resources for the rebuilding of the temple. It was a sign of God’s provision.
Ezra 1:5-6: A Spiritual Return Not all the exiles returned. Only those whose spirits were moved by God went. This shows the spiritual nature of the revival. The people who returned were dedicated to rebuilding the temple. Their neighbors also gave willingly. This shows the widespread impact of God’s work.
Ezra 1:7-8: Temple Treasures Restored Cyrus returned the valuable articles of the temple. These were taken by Nebuchadnezzar. Their return was a sign of God’s power. It showed that God was in control of all things. The items were entrusted to Sheshbazzar. He was a leader of the people.
Ezra 1:9-11: The Count of the Vessels The text gives a detailed list of the items. This shows their importance. The articles were holy vessels used for worship. Their restoration was a symbol of the restoration of worship. The total number of items was a testament to God’s provision.
Cross references
Ezra 1:1 with 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 These two passages are nearly identical. 2 Chronicles ends with the promise of return. Ezra begins with its fulfillment. This shows the divine link between the two books. It shows that God’s plans are always fulfilled.
Ezra 1:1 with Jeremiah 25:11-12 Jeremiah prophesied that the desolation would last for seventy years. Ezra 1:1 states that the return happened after seventy years. This confirms the truth of Jeremiah’s prophecy. It shows God’s word is reliable.
Ezra 1:3 with Isaiah 44:28 Isaiah prophesied that Cyrus would be God’s shepherd. He would say to Jerusalem, “You shall be built.” He would say to the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid.” This prophecy was made a long time before Cyrus was born. It shows God’s foreknowledge.
Ezra 1:4 with Exodus 12:35-36 The Israelites leaving Egypt were given gifts by the Egyptians. The exiles returning from Babylon were given gifts by their neighbors. This shows a pattern of God’s provision for His people. It is a sign of His care for them.