Ezra 1: The God Who Stirs Return
Ezra opens with homecoming. God awakens a pagan emperor, sends His people back, and restores the temple vessels. The return is not nostalgia; it is worship renewed. Providence bends empires to rebuild an altar.
Notes for the heart and mind: - History and faith: Cyrus’s policy matches the Cyrus Cylinder, which speaks of returning exiles and restoring shrines—just as Scripture records (cf. 2 Chronicles 36:22–23). - Language: “Stirred” (Hebrew ’ur) in Ezra 1:1,5 echoes Haggai 1:14—God rouses both rulers and remnant. The list of vessels recalls the Exodus as neighbors supply silver and gold (Exodus 12:35–36; Daniel 1:2; Ezra 1:6–11). - Names and hope: Sheshbazzar (likely a Babylonian court name for Zerubbabel) signals Israel’s leaders navigating empire while keeping covenant aims. - Theology: Jeremiah’s seventy years are kept (Jeremiah 29:10). God’s sovereignty over kings (Proverbs 21:1) fulfills Isaiah’s word about Cyrus (Isaiah 44:28–45:1). Augustine says earthly kingdoms are tools for the City of God; Calvin notes God turns royal hearts to His ends.
Cross-reads: Psalm 126; Haggai 1; 1 Peter 2:4–5.
Hymn: “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah.”
Prayer: Lord of history, rouse our spirits as you stirred Cyrus and the remnant. Set our return not to comfort but to Your house. Make us faithful stewards of what you restore. Amen.