So the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, along with the priests and Levites--everyone whose spirit God had stirred--prepared to go up and rebuild the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. So the family heads of Judah and Benjamin,Judah and Benjamin formed the core of the former Southern Kingdom and supplied the principal population of the restored community. Their family leaders provided needed order and accountability as households returned from Babylon to reestablish life in the land promised to their fathers. The return demonstrated God’s faithfulness to His word through Jeremiah that exile would not be permanent. 2Ch 11:1-4 When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he mobilized…
1Ki 12:20-21 When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned…
along with the priests and Levites— Priests and Levites returned because the restoration of Jerusalem centered on renewed worship of the LORD. The priests would offer sacrifices according to the Law, while the Levites assisted in the service, music, teaching, and care of the sanctuary. Rebuilding the temple required more than laborers; it required a people committed to approaching God according to His covenant. 2Ch 11:13-17 Moreover, the priests and Levites from all their districts…
Ezr 2:36-42 The priests: The descendants of Jedaiah…
everyone whose spirit God had stirred— God moved His people inwardly as He had moved Cyrus outwardly to issue the decree. The journey demanded sacrifice, since many exiles had established homes and livelihoods in Babylon. Their willingness revealed that the return was not merely a political opportunity but a work of God, who gives His servants both desire and strength to carry out His purposes. Hag 1:14 So the LORD stirred the spirit of Zerubbabel…
2Ch 36:22 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia,…
prepared to go up and rebuild the house of the LORD The temple would restore the appointed place of sacrifice, prayer, and corporate worship in Jerusalem. Its rebuilding testified that the LORD had not abandoned His covenant people despite their judgment and exile. The restored temple also preserved the worship and sacrificial order that pointed forward to Christ, the true dwelling place of God among His people and the final sacrifice for sin. 2Ch 36:23 This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD…
Hag 1:8 Go up into the hills, bring down lumber,…
in Jerusalem. Jerusalem remained the city chosen for the LORD’s name, the site of Solomon’s temple, and the center of Israel’s worship. God’s fulfillment of His promise to rebuild Jerusalem and its temple confirmed His sovereign control over nations and His continuing purpose for His people. 2Ch 3:1 Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD…
2Ch 6:6 But now I have chosen Jerusalem for My Name to be there,…
Persons / Places / Events 1. Family Heads of Judah and BenjaminThese were the leaders of the two tribes that made up the southern kingdom of Judah. They played a crucial role in the return from Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the temple. 2. Priests and LevitesThese were the religious leaders responsible for temple worship and rituals. Their involvement was essential for the restoration of proper worship in Jerusalem. 3. God's StirringThis refers to the divine influence on the hearts of the people, prompting them to take action. The Hebrew word used here means to awaken or incite. 4. Rebuilding the House of the LORDThis event marks the beginning of the restoration of the temple in Jerusalem, a significant moment in Jewish history as it symbolizes the renewal of worship and covenant relationship with God. 5. JerusalemThe central place of worship for the Israelites and the location of the temple. Its restoration was vital for the spiritual and national identity of the Jewish people. Teaching Points Divine InitiativeRecognize that God is the initiator of His plans. Just as He stirred the hearts of the Israelites, He can stir our hearts today to fulfill His purposes. Role of LeadershipThe involvement of family heads, priests, and Levites highlights the importance of leadership in spiritual renewal. Leaders should be attentive to God's prompting and guide others in obedience. Community ResponseThe collective response of the people shows the power of community in achieving God's work. We should seek to be part of a community that is responsive to God's call. Restoration and RenewalThe rebuilding of the temple signifies spiritual renewal. In our lives, we should be open to God's work of restoration, whether it be in our personal lives, families, or communities. Faith in ActionThe preparation to go up and rebuild required faith and action. We are called to step out in faith when God stirs our hearts, trusting in His provision and guidance. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of God stirring hearts in Ezra 1:5 challenge you to be more attentive to His leading in your life? 2. In what ways can you, like the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, take a leadership role in your community or church to encourage spiritual renewal? 3. Reflect on a time when you felt God stirring your heart to take action. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? 4. How can the example of the priests and Levites inspire you to prioritize worship and service in your daily life? 5. What steps can you take to be part of a community that is responsive to God's call, similar to the collective response seen in Ezra 1:5? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 35:21This verse describes how the Israelites' hearts were stirred to contribute to the building of the Tabernacle, showing a parallel in how God moves His people to action for His purposes. Nehemiah 2:12Nehemiah's heart was stirred by God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, demonstrating a similar divine prompting for restoration. Philippians 2:13This New Testament verse speaks of God working in believers to will and to act according to His good purpose, echoing the theme of divine stirring. | Cyrus | G. M. Grant, B. D. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | Divine Communications | John Robertson., T. J. Holmes. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | Divine Stirrings in the Human Soul | | Ezra 1:1-11 | | God is Calling Men to Build | J. Parker, D. D | Ezra 1:1-11 | | God's House Built for the Sake of Man | J. Parker, D. D | Ezra 1:1-11 | | Inspiration Tested | J. Parker, D. D | Ezra 1:1-11 | | Returning from the Captivity | D. J. Burrell, D. D. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | Revivals | J. Parker, D. D | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Beginning of a Great Religious Movement | J.S. Exell | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Captivity of Evil | A. J. Morris. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Discipline of the Captivity | Sermons by Monday Club | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Edict of Cyrus | William Jones. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Exile Ended | W. Clarkson, B. A. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The First Year of Cyrus | Walter F. Adeney, M. A. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Fulfilment of the Word of the Lord | W. Jones. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Proclamation of Cyrus | William Sleigh. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Proclamation of Cyrus and the Proclamation of the Gospel Minister Compared | Homilist | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Return from the Captivity | J. Mackenzie, D. D. | Ezra 1:1-11 | | The Wide Reach of the Rule of God | W. Clarkson | Ezra 1:1-4, 7-11 | | God's Action on the Minds of His People | W. Clarkson | Ezra 1:5, 6 | | The Response | J.A. Macdonald | Ezra 1:5, 6 | | The Return | A. Mackennal | Ezra 1:5, 6 |
People Benjamin, Cyrus, Jeremiah, Mithredath, Nebuchadnezzar, SheshbazzarPlaces Babylonia, Jerusalem, PersiaTopics Benjamin, Build, Building, Chief, Families, Fathers, Got, Heads, Heart, Households, Houses, Jerusalem, Judah, Levites, Lord's, Moved, Prepared, Priests, Raised, Ready, Rebuild, Rise, Rose, Spirit, Spirits, Stirred, WakedDictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 1:5 7266 tribes of Israel
7382 house of God
7767 priests, OT institution Ezra 1:1-5 7135 Israel, people of God Ezra 1:1-11 4333 gold Ezra 1:4-6 7366 freewill offering Ezra 1:5-6 8421 equipping, physical 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 ScriptureYouthful 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 Links Ezra 1:5 NIVEzra 1:5 NLTEzra 1:5 ESVEzra 1:5 NASBEzra 1:5 KJV
Ezra 1:5 Commentaries
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