An Unexpected Proclamation
In the posts on Nebuchadnezzar and Darius, we see them both praising God. Not being Jewish or believing in the Almighty, their declarations surprise us. Yet there’s more. King Cyrus also issues an unexpected proclamation.
God moves Cyrus’s heart to allow the people of Judah—whom Nebuchadnezzar captured and relocated—to return home and rebuild the temple. He even supplies provisions for the people to complete their task.
Cyrus feels called by God—divinely appointed—to accomplish this task. In this we see a humility in Cyrus that both Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar lacked.
Though the people face significant opposition when they return to rebuild the temple, along with much drama, they eventually restore their house of worship.
And this wouldn’t have happened without God first moving the heart of King Cyrus to act.
How is God moving in our hearts today?
What is he calling us to do?
[Read about Cyrus in Ezra 1:1–6 and Ezra 6:2–18. Discover more in 2 Chronicles 36:22–23 and Isaiah 45:1–13.]
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More Old Testament Sinners and Saints is part of the Bible Character Sketches series.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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