Passage: Ezra 1:1b-2a
“… the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying: ‘Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, “The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me…”‘” (Ezra 1:1b-2a)
OPEN UP:
The same God who stirs up world leaders to accomplish His purposes is able to wake me up to do His work.
People:
Cyrus — name means “the sun”
The LORD, the God of heaven — a way of referring to God that is used almost exclusively in the time after the exile
(Maybe this is an example of “cultural relevance,” as it would have been a way to help foreign kings, who worshiped visible statues, to wrap their minds around who the invisible God is.)
– The LORD stirs up the spirit of Cyrus.
– Cyrus sends out a proclamation and has it written.
– Cyrus says the LORD has given him all kingdoms and has appointed him…
What does it mean that God “stirred up the spirit” of Cyrus?
“stirred” — Hebrew `uwr — awaken, rouse oneself, incite
This word is used in verses like:
“Awake, awake, Deborah; Awake, awake, sing a song!”
(Judges 5:12)
“…yes, I will sing praises! Awake, my glory! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.” (Psalms 57:7-8)
“He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.”
(Isaiah 50:4)
More often, it is used to describe the stirring up of political leaders against each other. The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah used this word.
Keep in mind that Cyrus can mean “sun”:
“I have aroused [`uwr] one from the north, and he has come;
From the rising of the sun he will call on My name;
And he will come upon rulers as upon mortar,
[defeating Babylon] Even as the potter treads clay.”
(Isaiah 41:25)
“‘I have aroused [`uwr] him in righteousness
And I will make all his ways smooth;
He will build My city and will let My exiles go free,
Without any payment or reward,’ says the LORD of hosts.” (Isaiah 45:13)
Even Cyrus is subject to the God who made the sun.
“Thus says the Lord to Cyrus His anointed,
Whom I have taken by the right hand,
To subdue nations before him…
‘I will give you… treasures… And hidden wealth…
So that you may know that it is I…
who calls you by your name…
though you have not known Me;
That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun
That there is no one besides Me.”
(Isaiah 45:1-6)
The word `uwr will be repeated very soon in Ezra, just a few verses later:
“…everyone whose spirit God had stirred [`uwr] to go up and rebuild the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.” ( Ezra 1:5)
God is in control of the nations and its rulers. He is able to stir their spirits and call them to action. This is for the fulfillment of His Story.
Like many prophecies, the ones about Cyrus had both an immediate fulfillment and a Messianic fulfillment. Jesus ultimately came to set captives free from the prison of sin, to build the church up into a living house for God.
I can trust that God is going to accomplish His purposes, no matter what world events look like. He is passionate about His people and His house – and He draws “outsiders” (like me) into His Story. He will build up His house, in His time, according to His plan.
If today were my last day on earth, I would:
…wake up early and write a song.
God,
Help me use my time wisely, as You direct the course of my life. Give me a bigger vision for what You are doing, and please include me in Your plan. Make me aware of others You are drawing to Yourself. Keep me sensitive to the ways Your Spirit stirs my spirit.
For Jesus, who awakens me morning by morning, Amen.
References:
Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (1980)
www.blueletterbible.org
All verses are NASB unless otherwise noted.