Topical Bible: Obedience: Cyrus

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Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, is a significant figure in biblical history, particularly noted for his role in the fulfillment of God's purposes for the Israelites. His reign is marked by a unique obedience to God's will, despite his status as a pagan king. The Bible presents Cyrus as an instrument chosen by God to facilitate the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple.

Divine Appointment and Prophecy

Cyrus's role in biblical history is prophesied by Isaiah long before his birth. Isaiah 44:28 states, "who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, and he will fulfill all My pleasure,’ saying of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation will be laid.’" This prophecy highlights Cyrus as a divinely appointed leader who would act in accordance with God's plans for His people.

Isaiah 45:1-4 further emphasizes this divine selection: "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.'"

Edict of Cyrus

The fulfillment of these prophecies is recorded in the Book of Ezra. In Ezra 1:1-2, 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 issue 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, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah.'"

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. This act of obedience to the divine prompting demonstrates how God can use even those outside the covenant community to accomplish His purposes.

Cyrus's Legacy

Cyrus's obedience to God's will, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a testament to the sovereignty of God over all nations and rulers. His actions facilitated the restoration of worship in Jerusalem and the continuation of the Jewish faith, which would eventually lead to the coming of the Messiah. The narrative of Cyrus underscores the theme that God's plans are unstoppable and that He can use any individual, regardless of their background, to fulfill His divine purposes.

Cyrus's legacy is further acknowledged in 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, which reiterates his role in the return of the exiles: "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, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him.'"

Cyrus's obedience, as portrayed in the biblical narrative, exemplifies the profound impact of aligning with God's will, even for those outside the traditional boundaries of His chosen people.

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2 Chronicles 36:22,23
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, 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,
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Ezra 1:1-4
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,
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Library

Accession of Cyrus to the Throne.
... It was supposed that this was done in obedience to secret orders from Cyrus,
who perhaps found the charge of such a prisoner a burden. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter v accession of cyrus.htm

The Birth of Cyrus.
... Cambyses married Mandane, the daughter of Astyages, and Cyrus was their son. ... I confide
fully in your principles of obedience and fidelity, and depend upon your ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter ii the birth of.htm

"Example of Life and Instruction of Manners. "
... Habakkuk's obedience served God's purpose. In Cyrus' character we see something
of the impulsiveness of the despotic monarch, giving hasty directions on the ...
/.../the three additions to daniel a study/example of life and instruction 3.htm

To Anatolius the Patrician.
... disturbing the orthodox. [1752] Now I make known to you that in obedience to
the imperial letter I have come to Cyrus. After an interval ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/lxxix to anatolius the patrician.htm

The Eve of the Restoration
... The love and trust and obedience which are worthy of Him must be wholehearted, whole ...
Cyrus had some kind of belief in Jehovah; but his own words, so wonderfully ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the eve of the restoration.htm

To Anatolius the Patrician.
... me? To begin with, I was not even one of the judges, for in obedience to
the imperial decree I was living at Cyrus. Moreover, as ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cxi to anatolius the patrician.htm

The End of Cambyses.
... Croesus apologized for offering these counsels, saying that he felt bound to warn
Cambyses of his danger, in obedience to the injunctions of Cyrus, his father. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter ii the end of.htm

Conversations.
... had been originally a man of humble life, but he had been advanced by Cyrus to a ...
of a good soldier to stand at his post or to press on, in obedience to his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter xi conversations.htm

The Servant and the Slaves
... the thought and say that all men who, like the heathen Cyrus, are God's ... to be in
possession of this entire consecration, and complete obedience, and consequent ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the servant and the slaves.htm

Altar and Temple
... How long had passed since Cyrus' decree had been issued we do not know, nor ... Surely
their glad and unanimous obedience to the summons, or, as it may even have ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/altar and temple.htm