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Pulpit Commentary Homiletics
The Sovereignty Of God
Ezra 1:1
J.A. Macdonald
Dualities are everywhere seen. Amongst these are things passive and active; things ruled over and things ruling. The mechanical heavens are active and rule the passive earth. In animated nature rulers and subjects are individualized; most remarkably so in the kingdom of men. Passing into the spiritual world, we still find order and rule; "principalities and powers in the heavenlies" - amongst angels of light, also amongst angels of darkness. But behind all these sovereignties and over them is the glorious sovereignty of God.

I. THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD IS ALL-CONTROLLING.

1. "The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus."

(1) This he did by means. Josephus says that Cyrus was shown the places in Isaiah where he was mentioned by name and his exploits indicated about a century before he was born (see Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1-5). Possibly Daniel, who was in Babylon when Cyrus entered it, and the fame of whose wisdom was far-reaching, may have pointed them out to him.

(2) By his Spirit God made the means he employed effective. "The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus." "He can turn the hearts of princes as the rivers of the south." Means are ineffectual without his blessing. That blessing should be sought upon all our undertakings.

2. By means of Cyrus God moved the Persian empire.

(1) The royal edict was issued.

(2) It was vocally proclaimed. Hebrews, caused a voice to pass, etc. This form of proclamation is for the multitude. For the multitude God causes his gospel to be preached.

(3) It was also written. This was for the magistrates. Also for reference. The word of the truth of the gospel is also written. This fixes its certainty.

3. The sequel shows how cordial was the response. As the exodus from Egypt was a figure of the emancipation of the believer in Christ from the bondage of sin, so was the return from the captivity of Babylon.

II. THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD IS ALL-PERVADING.

1. He rules the world according to a grand plan.

(1) This fact is seen in the Scriptures of prophecy. Broad outlines of future history of the world drawn (see for example Genesis 9:25-27). Here consider "the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah" (see Jeremiah 25:12; Jeremiah 29:10).

(2) Further seen in the conversion of prophecy into history. Examples abound. Example before us in the restoration of Judah from the captivity of Babylon. The time was "in the first year of Cyrus." This was B.C. 536. Add to this the seventy years of Jeremiah's prophecy, and we have the year B.C. 606, the very year in which "Nebuchadnezzar carried Jehoiakim and the vessels of the house of the Lord to Babylon (see 2 Chronicles 36:6, 7).

2. The plan of Providence includes the means to be employed for the accomplishment of his purposes.

(1) Stirs up the spirits of men to study his word (see Daniel 9:2). Stirred up the spirit of Cyrus also. Daniel was stirred up to pray; Cyrus, to act. It is God's order that his people should pray for their blessings (see Ezekiel 36:37). There is often a connection between the prayers of the good and the better actions of the wicked.

1. Learn that there is no such thing as chance.

(1) Afflictions do not spring out of the dust.

(2) See the hand of God in our deliverances.

2. Learn that providences are often retributive.

(1) The seventy years of captivity were in retribution for seventy sabbatic years in which selfishness refused the land her rest, and consequently the poor their privileges (comp. Leviticus 25:1-6, and 2 Chronicles 36:21).

(2) If we open our eyes we may see the operation of retributive providences every day. "Be sure your sin will find you out." - J. A. M.

Biblical Illustrator
Let him go up to Jerusalem.
Ezra 1:3
The release of the Jews from Babylon an illustration of the redemption of man from sin
W. Jones.
We discover an analogy in these two things as regards —

I. THE SUBJECTS. The Jews were exiles and captives in Babylon. "Whosoever committeth sin is the slave of sin" (John 8:34). In his sinful state man is an exile from his true condition and place, and the bondsman of evil powers.

II. THE AGENTS. Cyrus and Jesus Christ. The analogy between them is st least twofold.

1. Both were called of God to this work. Ages before his birth Cyrus was prenominated for this work (Isaiah 44:24; Isaiah 14:6). And Jesus Christ is pre-eminently the Servant, the Anointed, the Sent of God (Isaiah 13:1; Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:18, 19; John 3:16, 17; Galatians 4:4, 5; 1 John 4:9).

2. Both effected this work by battling with and overcoming the oppressors. Cyrus had to conquer the Babylonian Empire before he could release the captive Jews. And our Lord and Saviour, as the Son of Man, encountered sin and mastered it.

III. THE SOURCE. In both cases the blessing flowed from the free and unmerited grace of God. The Jews had no claim upon Him against whom they had so Persistently rebelled. "God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us."

IV. THE EXTENT.

1. It is offered to all.

2. It is accepted only by some. Great numbers preferred to remain in Babylon.(1) Many did not feel any deprivation or degradation in their exile and subjection.(2) Many had attachments and interests in Babylon which they could not or would not leave.

V. "GO UP TO BUILD THE HOUSE OF THE LORD WHICH IS IN JERUSALEM." A striking illustration of the grand end of redemption.

(W. Jones.)

Our choice of the true life
Homiletic Review.
I. CYRUS PRESENTED THESE EXILED JEWS WITH THE CHANCE OF A FREE CHOICE. Cyrus did not compel. These Jews might, or they might not, go to Jerusalem. It was for each one of them to choose. So Christ, in His call to the true life and heaven, puts before men the chance of an utterly free choice. "Ye will not come unto Me that ye might have life."

II. This choice which Cyrus presented to these exiled Jews was a CHOICE OF EXCLUSIONS. If they chose to go to Palestine they must yield what things would keep them in Babylon. They might carry with them many things (vers. 7-11). But their houses and lands, every detaining thing, must be surrendered. So this choice which Christ presents to men is necessarily a choice of exclusions. Christianity is not narrowness. Read the charter of a Christian liberty in 1 Corinthians 3:21-23. But Christ comes to save a man from sin. What Babylonish and preventing sins you cleave to must be yielded.

III. IT WAS A CHOICE TOWARD NOBLENESS which Cyrus gave these exiled Jews. Surely it was better, nobler to go to Jerusalem and rebuild God's temple than to dwell in exiled ease in Babylon.

IV. This choice which Cyrus opened for these exiled Jews was a choice NECESSITATING FAITH. Between Babylon and Palestine stretched vast wide sandy plains. But for the heartening of the Jews choosing the nobler destiny there was the Divine promise. So for the Christian, the man who accepts Christ's call to the nobler life, there are Divine promises,

V. THIS NECESSITY OF CHOICE. For every one of us, in high spiritual way, this choice confronts Babylon or Jerusalem.

(Homiletic Review.)

His God be with him.
God with us
William Jones.
Notice —

I. THE DEVOUT WISH EXPRESSED: "His God be with him." It is equivalent to our "goodbye," which is an abbreviation of "God be with you." The wish comprises two things.

1. Personal relation to God: "His God." This expression may be viewed in two aspects.(1) "His God," as opposed to the gods of the heathen.(2) "His God," as engaged to him in covenant relation. Thus our Lord speaks, "My Father, and your Father": "My God, and your God" (John 20:17). Martin Luther said that the sweetness of the gospel consisted chiefly in its pronouns, such as me, thou, thy, etc. "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28). "Who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). "Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:8).

2. Realisation of the presence of God: "His God be with him." His presence is a guarantee of all the help and blessing which we need. But in uttering this wish in respect to the Jews, Cyrus probably had an eye to two things which the presence of God would secure to them

:

(1)Guidance and guardianship on their long journey.

(2)Success in their great undertaking.

II. THE KIND EXPRESSION OF THIS WISH. The expression of this wish indicates on the part of Cyrus —

1. Reverence towards God. He does not utter these words thoughtlessly, but seriously.

2. Kindness towards the captives. He wished them well, and proved the sincerity of his wishes by practically helping them in their best interests.Conclusion

:

1. Do we sustain this personal relation to God?

2. Do we realise the blessed presence of God?

3. Do we desire that others also may realise His gracious presence?

(William Jones.)

Our God
Stephen Charnocke, B. D.
As He is not a God without infinite wisdom, and infinite power, and infinite goodness, and infinite blessedness, etc., so He passes over in this covenant all that which presents Him as the most adorable Being to His creatures. He will be to them as great, as wise, as powerful, as good as He is in Himself; and the assuring us in this covenant to be our God imports also that He will do as much for us, as we would do for ourselves were we furnished with the same goodness, power, and wisdom. In being our God He testifies that it is all one, as if we had the same perfections in our own power to employ for our use; for He being possessed with them, it is as much as if we ourselves were possessed with them for our own advantage, according to the rules of wisdom and the several conditions we pass through for His glory.

(Stephen Charnocke, B. D.)

People
Benjamin, Cyrus, Jeremiah, Mithredath, Nebuchadnezzar, Sheshbazzar
Places
Babylonia, Jerusalem, Persia
Topics
Build, Building, Jerusalem, Judah, Rebuild, Temple
Outline
1. The proclamation of Cyrus for the building of the temple
5. The people provide for their return
7. Cyrus restores the vessels of the temple to Sheshbazzar

Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezra 1:1-3

     1035   God, faithfulness
     1355   providence
     7217   exile, in Babylon
     7241   Jerusalem, significance

Ezra 1:1-4

     1305   God, activity of
     4215   Babylon
     5366   king
     7240   Jerusalem, history
     7468   temple, rebuilding

Ezra 1:1-5

     7135   Israel, people of God

Ezra 1:1-11

     4333   gold

Library
The Eve of the Restoration
'Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 2. Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and He hath charged me to build Him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3. Who is there among you of all His people? his God …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Youthful Confessors
'But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink; for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Extracts No. vi.
[Here twelve pages or more of the objector's manuscript are omitted, as the nature of his arguments will pretty fully appear in the reply; and as he has been obliged to rescind the ground he had taken, it is not expedient to publish his remarks. That the reader may see a little of the manner, however, in which he has given up his part of the argument, the following is inserted.] "Speaking however on the evidences of revelation, you have stated some things worthy of serious consideration; which if …
Hosea Ballou—A Series of Letters In Defence of Divine Revelation

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Greater Prophets.
1. We have already seen (Chap. 15, Nos. 11 and 12) that from Moses to Samuel the appearances of prophets were infrequent; that with Samuel and the prophetical school established by him there began a new era, in which the prophets were recognized as a distinct order of men in the Theocracy; and that the age of written prophecy did not begin till about the reign of Uzziah, some three centuries after Samuel. The Jewish division of the latter prophets--prophets in the more restricted sense of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
[In the Prospectus of our Publication it was stated, that one discourse, at least, would be given in each number. A strict adherence to this arrangement, however, it is found, would exclude from our pages some of the most talented discourses of our early Divines; and it is therefore deemed expedient to depart from it as occasion may require. The following Sermon will occupy two numbers, and we hope, that from its intrinsic value, its historical interest, and the illustrious name of its author, it …
John Knox—The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3.

The Iranian Conquest
Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a statuette in terra-cotta, found in Southern Russia, represents a young Scythian. The Iranian religions--Cyrus in Lydia and at Babylon: Cambyses in Egypt --Darius and the organisation of the empire. The Median empire is the least known of all those which held sway for a time over the destinies of a portion of Western Asia. The reason of this is not to be ascribed to the shortness of its duration: …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9

The Justice of God
The next attribute is God's justice. All God's attributes are identical, and are the same with his essence. Though he has several attributes whereby he is made known to us, yet he has but one essence. A cedar tree may have several branches, yet it is but one cedar. So there are several attributes of God whereby we conceive of him, but only one entire essence. Well, then, concerning God's justice. Deut 32:4. Just and right is he.' Job 37:23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

God's Sovereignty and the Human Will
"It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil. 2: 13). Concerning the nature and the power of fallen man's will, the greatest confusion prevails today, and the most erroneous views are held, even by many of God's children. The popular idea now prevailing, and which is taught from the great majority of pulpits, is that man has a "free will," and that salvation comes to the sinner through his will co-operating with the Holy Spirit. To deny the "free will" of man, …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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