Introduction: During this month, April 2024, amazing things are taking place in the skies above us. The Devil Comet, which is 30 km in diameter, can be seen in the northern hemisphere. The planets Venus, Neptune, Saturn, and Mars aligned in the sky on the 4th. The most anticipated event of April is the Great American Eclipse on the 8th. We are awed by spectacular events like this, but in Isaiah 45:12 God said, “I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.” The Psalmist adds, (Psalm 147:4-5) “He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.“
Our great God is sovereign over all. He is in control of all things.
Transition: This evening, we are going to commence a study in the book of Ezra. As we do, God will remind us of who is in control of events in our lives. The sovereignty of God and the free will of man are difficult concepts for our finite minds to reconcile, but Scripture teaches both.
1. The LORD was faithful to His promise (v.1).
a. God’s prophets warned his people.
1) Isaiah had warned of God’s judgment.
a) Isaiah preached 150+ years before the events in Ezra chapter 1.
b) He warned Hezekiah of the Babylonian captivity that was coming, Isa 35:5-7.
2) Jeremiah urged the people to repent.
a) He preached that the people must turn to God or suffer captivity in Babylon (Jer 25:5).
b) He predicted the 70-year captivity (Jer 25:11-12).
b. God sent Judah to Babylon as predicted.
1) In 606, Nebuchadnezzar took the royal family and temple vessels to Babylon.
2) In 597, 7,000 mighty men were taken to Babylon.
3) In 586, the temple was destroyed, and survivors, except for the very poor, were taken to Babylon.
4) A total of 15,000 – 20,000 captives went to Babylon.
c. To fulfil His promises, God was at work.
1) Ezra tells us that God did this work in Cyrus to fulfil his Word. What does this tell us about our God?
a) God is faithful to His Word. He told Jeremiah that after 70 years in captivity, the people would be set free (Jer 25:11-12 above).
b) God is faithful to His covenants. Years earlier, He had made a covenant with Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3).
c) Though Cyrus was an unbeliever, God used him to fulfil His will. God even called him “My shepherd” (Isa. 44:28) and “His anointed” (Isa. 45:1).
d) God is able to turn the hearts of pagan kings just as he turns the rivers. (Proverbs 21:1) “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.“
2) God did that because he loved his wayward people.
3) What promise has God made that you can claim? Here are a few examples. (Psalm 55:22) “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” (Matthew 11:28) “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (James 4:7) “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Remember who is in control. Nothing is too hard for Him.
2. The LORD worked in Cyrus’ heart (v.1-2).
a. The LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus.
1) Some historians believe that Darius was a Babylonian governor who when he saw the rise of Persian power, deserted to Cyrus, and helped him conquer Babylon in 539. Unlike the Babylonians, Cyrus committed himself to restore captives to their native countries. The Bible Almanac, p.150-151
2) Cyrus was a pagan king (Isa.45.4-5). He did not know the Lord, yet God stirred up his spirit to help the Jews return to their homeland. Read 2Ch 36:22-23.
3) Nothing is said of any Jew urging Cyrus to do this. God was at work in his heart. Isaiah had predicted this (Isa 44:28-45:6). Some commentators suspect that Daniel showed Cyrus the writings of Isaiah. If he did, God may have used His Word to stir up Cyrus’ spirit. God often will use His Word in our lives to stir our spirits to fulfil His will.
4) Whatever the case, we do know that God was in control.
b. The LORD convicted Cyrus’ heart (v.2).
1) This pagan gave the LORD credit for his victory over Babylon and his desire to set the Jews free. He even called the LORD, “The LORD God of heaven”. We find the phrase “God of heaven” nine times in Ezra and four times in Nehemiah.
2) The LORD also prompted him to order the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.
3) As you pray for our Prime Minister (if you don’t you ought to), know that God can cause him to fulfil the plans for our nation that God has devised.
4) When trials or obstacles in life seem totally impossible, we must remember who is in control.
a) (Job 42:2) “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.“
b) (Proverbs 16:9) “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.“
c) (Proverbs 19:21) “There are many devices [plans] in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.“
d) (Romans 8:28) “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.“
3. The LORD caused Cyrus to make two decrees (v.3-4).
a. All Jews were free to return to Israel (v.3).
1) Any Jew who desired could return to Jerusalem and help rebuild the house of the LORD.
2) Cyrus wished the LORD God’s blessing on all who went (2Ch. 36:23).
3) Kings just did not set their slaves free. Remember how difficult it was for Israel to flee Egypt. God had to send ten crippling plagues to Egypt before Pharaoh would let them go. Again, God was in control.
b. Those who remained were to support them (v.4).
1) They were to help those going with silver, gold, goods, and with beasts.
2) They were to send freewill offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem.
3) These are amazing decrees coming from a pagan king. Truly, God was in control.
Conclusion: Our world is in a mess. Wars, corruption, deceit, and filth abound. Our freedoms are being undermined. Many in our society have the morals of those in Sodom and Gomorrah. Rearing children for God in this dark world is difficult. Burdens threaten to overwhelm us. What are we to do? We are to remember who is in control. The LORD God is in control. We can trust Him to do right. If He could stir up Cyrus’ heart to set His people free, God can and WILL care for us today. Our part is to trust Him. (Proverbs 3:5-6) “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.“
If problems, burdens, or cares threaten to overwhelm you, remember who is in control!
