Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire, is a significant figure in biblical history, particularly in the context of God's providential plan for the Israelites. His call to a special religious duty is a remarkable example of how God can use even those outside the covenant community to fulfill His divine purposes.

Biblical Background

Cyrus is mentioned in several books of the Bible, most notably in the prophetic writings of Isaiah and the historical accounts of Ezra and 2 Chronicles. His role is pivotal in the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Prophetic Foretelling

The prophet Isaiah, writing over a century before Cyrus's rise to power, explicitly names him as the instrument of God's deliverance for Israel. Isaiah 44:28 states, "who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, and he will accomplish all that I please,’ he will say of Jerusalem, ‘Let it be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundations be laid.’" This prophecy highlights Cyrus's divinely appointed task to facilitate the restoration of Jerusalem and its Temple.

Isaiah 45:1-4 further elaborates on Cyrus's role: "This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him so that the gates will not be shut: 'I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hidden riches of secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name. For the sake of Jacob My servant and Israel My chosen one, I call you by name; I give you a title of honor, though you have not known Me.'"

Historical Fulfillment

The historical books of the Bible record the fulfillment of these prophecies. In 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, it is written: "In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing: 'This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of His people among you may go up, and may the LORD his God be with him.'"

Similarly, Ezra 1:1-2 recounts: "In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing: 'This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah.'"

Significance

Cyrus's call to a special religious duty underscores the sovereignty of God over all nations and rulers. Despite being a pagan king, Cyrus is described as God's "anointed," a term usually reserved for Israelite kings and priests. This highlights the unique role Cyrus played in God's redemptive history, serving as a vessel for the fulfillment of His promises to Israel.

Cyrus's decree not only allowed the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland but also provided the necessary resources for the reconstruction of the Temple, thereby restoring the center of Jewish worship. His actions set the stage for the subsequent religious and cultural revival among the Jewish people, as recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Through Cyrus, God demonstrated His ability to orchestrate historical events and use individuals, regardless of their background, to accomplish His divine will.Isaiah 45:1-4
Thus said the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
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