Scriptural text: Ezra 1:1-18, 11; 2:64-70
Lesson in Perspective:
The Babylonian Captivity lasted 70 years. King Nebuchadnezzar invaded and captured the kingdom of Judah. The Babylonians carried the people of Judah-with the exception of the poorest individuals-into captivity. The seige’s culmination was the destruction of the Jewish temple and the removal of its treasures. However, the Babylon’s rule was short-lived. In 539 B.C., the Persian King Cyrus destroyed the Babylonian Empire. It was under King Cyrus rule that he permitted Ezra to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.
Persian Decree (Ezra 1:1-4):
God gave the Persian king a sense of urgency about this, and the relief from exile was granted the first year of his reign as the Lord stirred up his spirit. Cyrus made a decree giving the Jewish exiles in his empire the right to return to Jerusalem and rebuild in 538 B.C.
The Proclamation:
While Cyrus recognized the role of the Lord in ordaining his leadership. Cyrus’s decree was also politically motivated. He wanted to honor the many gods of the people of his empire. Cyrus proclaimed new building plans, as Cyrus himself would help the exiles build God’s house, His temple. That the temple would be rebuilt in Jerusalem reflects certain importance. Ancient Israel had illegitimate worship in other locations. However, because of God’s declaration and King David’s leadership, Jerusalem became the political and religious center for Israel.
Preparation for Travels (Ezra 1:5-8, 11).
The same God that stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to proclaim liberty to the Jews, raised up the spirit to take the benefit. The temptation was to some to stay in Babylon, but some feared not to return, and they were those whose spirits God raised, by his Spirit and grace. While Cyrus issued the decree to rebuild the temple, it was ultimately God’s plan that those whose spirit God had raised would return to build the house of the Lord. That the text mentions Jerusalem seven times in these early verses indicates that the importance of that city.
People Returning (Ezra 2:64-67).
The second chapter of Ezra begins by listing the family groups of exiles that returned to Judah and Jerusalem (Ezra 2:1-62). A close inspection of those lists determines that they do not add up to forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore. The list highlighted three observations about the returning people: (1) the exiles formed a family of the people if God, (2) the exiles preserved family relationships during the exile, and (3) the exiles returned to their homeland in sufficient numbers to rebuild.
References: Enduring Word Bible Commentary, Matthew Henry Bible Commentary, 2021-2022 KJV Standard Lesson Commentary