January 1, 2021
What does it say?
God moved the heart of Cyrus, the Persian king. A proclamation was issued allowing the Israelites to return from exile and to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.
What does it mean?
Jeremiah’s prophecy of Israel’s release from captivity in Babylon was about to be fulfilled. Cyrus may have thought his proclamation and financial support were making it all possible, but God was once more using a pagan king to accomplish His plan. Without the temple there was no place to make atonement for sin through sacrifices. The lack of a sacrificial system had prevented the nation’s worship of God as defined by the Mosaic Law. It was time for the Israelites to return to their covenant relationship with God. Only the one true King could make that possible.
How should I respond?
No matter which political party you support, it is important to remember that our elected officials are not really in control. God still rules over them all (Proverbs 19:21; 21:1). It seems at times that things are a complete mess. The Israelites probably thought the same thing. But nothing that happened yesterday and nothing that will happen today or tomorrow are out of the realm of God’s knowledge or control. Scripture states that “every knee” will bow one day in recognition of God’s rule. Today, no matter what the news brings about the state of our world, take heart. Our King still rules!|Further Reading: Ezra 2