(1:1) A Defeated Nation - The book of Ezra opens in 538 BC, 48 years after Nebuchadnezzar destroyed
Jerusalem, defeated the southern kingdom of Judah, and carried the people away to Babylon as captives (2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles
36). Nebuchadnezzar died earlier, in 562. Because his successors were weak, Babylon was overthrown by Persia in 539, just
prior to the events recorded in this book. Both the Babylonians and the Persians had a relaxed policy toward their captives,
allowing them to own land and homes and to take ordinary jobs. Many Jews, such as Daniel, Mordecai, and Esther, rose to prominent
positions within the kingdoms. King Cyrus of Persia took things a step further: He allowed many groups of exiles, including
the Jews, to return to their homelands. By doing this, he hoped to win their loyalty and thus provide buffer zones around
the borders of his empire. For the Jews this was a day of hope, a new beginning.
(1:1) Cyrus Shows Mercy - Cyruss, king of Persia (559-530 BC), had already begun his
rise to power in the ancient Middle East by unifying the Medes and Persians into a strong empire. As he conquered cities,
he treated the inhabitants with mercy.
Although not a servant of God, Cyrus was used by
him to return the Jews to their homeland. Cyrus may have been shown the prophecy of Isaiah 44:28-45:6, written over a century
earlier, which predicted that Cyrus himself would help the Jews return to Jerusalem. Daniel, a prominent government official
(Daniel 5:20; 6:28), would have been familiar with the prophecy. The book of Daniel has more to say about Cyrus.
(1:1) Jeremiah's Prophecy - Jeremiah prophesied that the Jews would remain
in captivity for 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11; 29:10). The 70-year period has been calculated two different ways: (1) from the
first captivity in 605 BC (2 Kings 24:1) until the altar was rebuilt by the returned exiles in 537 (Ezra 3:1-6), or (2) from
the destruction of the temple in 586 until the exiles finished rebuilding it in 515. Many interpreters prefer the second approach
because the temple was the focus and heartbeat of the nation. Without the temple, the Jews did not consider themselves reestablished
as a nation.
(1:2-4) The Jews Work Together - This proclamation
permitted the Jews to work together to accomplish the huge task of rebuilding the temple. Some did the actual building, while
others operated the supply lines. Significant ventures require teamwork, with certain people serving in the forefront and
others providing support. Each function is vital to accomplishing the task. When you're asked to serve, do so faithfully as
a team member, no matter who gets the credit
(1:4)
God's Resources - Cyrus was not a Jew, but God worked through him to return the exiled Jews to their homeland. Cyrus gave
the proclamation allowing their return, and he gave them protection, money, and the temple articles taken by Nebuchadnezzar.
When you face difficult situations and feel surrounded, outnumbered, overpowered, or outclassed, remember that God's power
is not limited to your resources. He is able to use anyone to carry out his plans.
(1:5-6) Wrong Priorities - Many Jews chose to go to Jerusalem, but many more chose to
remain in Babylon rather than return to their homeland. The journey back to Jerusalem was difficult, dangerous, and expensive,
lasting over four months Travel conditions were poor, Jerusalem and the surrounding countryside were in ruins, and the people
living in these areas were hostile. Persian records indicate that many Jews in captivity had accumulated great wealth. Returning
to Jerusalem would have meant giving up everything they had and starting over. Many people couldn't bring themselves to do
that; they preferred wealth and security to the sacrifice that God's work would require. Their priorities were upside down
(Mark 4:18-19). We must not let our comfort, security, or material possessions prevent us from doing what God wants.
(1:5-6) A Lack Of Vision - Cyrus was king over the entire region that had
once been Assyria and Babylon. Assyria had deported the Israelites from the northern kingdom (Israel) in 722 BC. Babylon,
the next world power, had taken Israelites captive from the southern kingdom (Judah) in 586 BC. Therefore, when the Medo-Persian
Empire came to power, King Cyrus' proclamation of freedom went to all the original 12 tribes, but only Judah and Benjamin
(the southern kingdom) responded and returned to rebuild God's temple. They had been taken captive just 48 years earlier,
so the event would have still been fresh in their memories. The ten tribes of the northern kingdom, however, had been carried
into captivity almost two centuries earlier and had been so fractured and dispersed by Assyria that many may have been unsure
of their real heritage. Thus, they were unwilling to share in the vision of rebuilding the temple.
(1:5-6) A Move Of God - God moved in the hearts of the leaders, family heads, priests,
and Levites and gave them a great desire to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Major changes begin on the inside as
God works on our attitudes, beliefs, and desires. These inner changes lead to faithful actions. After 48 years of captivity,
the arrogant people of Judah had been humbled. When the people's attitudes and desires changed, God ended their punishment
and gave them the opportunity to go home and try again. In the New Testament, Paul reminds us that "it is God which worketh
in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). Doing God's will begins with your desires. Are
you willing to place his desires before yours, to be open to his opportunities, and to move at his direction? Ask God to give
you the desire to change in order to follow him more closely.
(1:7)
God Keeps His Promises - When King Nebuchadnezzar ransacked the temple, he took many of the valuable furnishings with him.
What he did not take, he burned (2 Chronicles 36:18-19). Most of the captured items were made of solid gold (1 Kings 7:48-50),
and Cyrus kindly (and amazingly!) returned them to the Jews for the temple they would soon rebuild. (1)Sheshbazzar
was either the Babylonian name for Zerubbabel, one of the Jewish leaders during the first return (2:2; 3:8; 4:3), or the name
of another government official with responsibility for the returning party. The reasons Sheshbazzar may be identified with
Zerubbabel are as follows: (1) Both were called governors (5:14; Haggai 111); (2) both laid the temple foundation (Ezra 3:8;
5:16); and (3) Jews in exile were often given Babylonian names (see Daniel 1:7, where Daniel and his companions are given
new names). Every article of gold and silver was a witness to God's protection and care. This list does not add up to 5,400
articles, so perhaps this sampling includes only the most important things. Although many years had passed, God delivered
these temple articles back to his people. We may be discouraged by events in life, but we must never give up our hope in God's
promises to us. The turning point may be just ahead.
