Bible Poetry Reading Plan: Ecclesiastes 9-10
Ezra 1:2-3 (NIV); This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “The LORD, the God of heaven, has given
me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build a temple for Him at Jerusalem in
Judah. Anyone of His people among you—may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem
in Judah and build the temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem.”
Because of their disobedience, Judah had finally fallen entirely into the hands of the Babylonians
and the people were exiled to Babylon. During this time Jeremiah prophesied a 70 year exile after
which God would bring the people back to their land. The book of Ezra tells the story of how God
fulfilled this promise. The kingdom of Babylon had been split in two, and the people of Judah were
under the new rule of king Cyrus of Persia. Persia was another wealthy and pagan nation, which is
why Cyrus’ decree in Ezra’s introduction is completely absurd! The Persians were prone to worship
elements of nature – the sun, moon, earth, fire, wind and water. Idols and altars and temples were
foolish to them. And so it was clearly an act of the sovereign Lord that Cyrus should call the people
of Judah to return home and rebuild their Temple!
The Jews begin their return to Jerusalem and Ezra leads them in the 20-year task of rebuilding
the Temple. 15 years later Nehemiah rebuilds the city walls. Throughout this time these and other
prophets are calling the people back to holiness, entreating them to repent and live a life set apart.
There is a mix of thanksgiving and sorrow – praise to God for fulfilling His promise and bringing
home this remnant and sorrow for the consequences of generations of sin and rebellion.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Surely this shows us that God can accomplish the impossible. What is something you long for
that seems impossible? Present your request to God and ask Him to work in this situation!
2. God doesn’t always fulfill His promises in a day. God rarely changes our circumstances with
a flick of a finger. He often heals and transforms, but will first ask us to do something in faith –
“get up and walk” or “stretch out your hand”. God says, “This is the way. Now walk in it.” And
we can trust that He’ll do His work in us along the way. What is the way God is showing you to
walk in today?
