Expository Commentary on the Book of Ezra* Bible lesson 20
Just for your thoughts.
Expository
Commentary on the Book of Ezra*
Bible lesson 20
Who is Cyrus the Great (the Persian King Cyrus)?
He is the founder of the Persian Empire.
The name “Persia” comes from the region called Persis (Pars), which is located in the southern part of present-day Iran. The people living there were called “Persians.” The Greeks, based on the region Persis, began to refer to the entire nation as “Persia.”
Cyrus the Great belonged to this Persian people. When he established a vast empire, it came to be known as the “Persian Empire.” This marks the beginning of Persian imperial history.
Reign: 559–530 BC
Key Event: Conquered Babylon in 539 BC
Among the several capitals of this empire, Babylon was one of them.
? Cyrus in the Bible
In the Bible, Cyrus is one of the most significant foreign kings used by God. The Lord calls him:
“My shepherd” (Isaiah 44:28)
“His anointed” (Isaiah 45:1)
It was this king who allowed the people of Israel to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple.
Remarkably, about 140 years before this decree, the prophet Isaiah had already foretold it.
Prophetic Verses
Isaiah 44:28
“I say of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,” and of the temple, “Let its foundations be laid.”’”
Isaiah 45:13
“I will raise up Cyrus in my righteousness: I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild my city and set my exiles free, but not for a price or reward, says the Lord Almighty.”
Through these verses we learn:
Cyrus was named in advance
His actions were clearly prophesied
An Important Clarification
Verses like Isaiah 45:2–3 were primarily promises given specifically to Cyrus.
We must be careful not to directly apply them as general promises to all believers. (This is one interpretative perspective; other scholars may differ.)
?️ Other Persian Kings
After Cyrus, important kings included:
Darius I
Artaxerxes I
They also played key roles in the rebuilding of the temple and the restoration of Jerusalem.
? Historical Note
The name “Persia” was used until 1935, after which it was officially changed to “Iran.”
? Spiritual Lessons We Learn
God is sovereign.
He can use anyone for His purposes—even foreign rulers.
The idea that “only believers are used by God” is incorrect.
Political situations cannot be fully understood by human wisdom.
At the right time, God changes governments and circumstances.
Just as:
He disciplined through Nebuchadnezzar II,
He restored through Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes.
? Conclusion
The kingdom ultimately belongs to God.
Our responsibility:
To pray for our nation without political bias
To wait for God’s timing