1. Ezra Priest and Scribe

2. Ezra 1 1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the L ORD spoken by Jeremiah, the L ORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing:

3. Ezra 1 2 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “‘The L ORD, 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. 3 Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the L ORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them.

4. Ezra 1 4 And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’”

5. Ezra 1 5 Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites—everyone whose heart God had moved —prepared to go up and build the house of the L ORD in Jerusalem. 6 All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings.

6. Ezra 1 7 Moreover, King Cyrus brought out the articles belonging to the temple of the L ORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his god. 8 Cyrus king of Persia had them brought by Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah.

7. Ezra 1 9 This was the inventory: gold dishes30 silver dishes1,000 silver pans29 10 gold bowls30 matching silver bowls410 other articles1,000

8. Ezra 1 11 In all, there were 5,400 articles of gold and of silver. Sheshbazzar brought all these along with the exiles when they came up from Babylon to Jerusalem.

9. Back Ground Babylonian Captivity – King Nebuchadenezzar Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

12. Belshazzar’s Feast

13. Back Ground After 70 years God began to work to bring Israel back to the Promised Land Ester, Mordecai, Nehemiah

14. In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the L ORD spoken by Jeremiah, the L ORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: (1) Fulfillment of Prophesy – Jeremiah stated that Babylon would be judged and Israel restored. (2)Miracle of a King’s Change of Heart

15. Daniel 1:21 New International Version 1984 (NIV1984) 21 And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus. Daniel 6:28 New International Version 1984 (NIV1984) 28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

16. Ezra 7:27 27 Praise be to the L ORD, the God of our fathers, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honor to the house of the L ORD in Jerusalem in this way

17. Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

18. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV1984) 2 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

19. Cyrus Ordered Rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem That Exiles be allowed to return. That Returning Exiles be given what they need for journey.

20. Cyrus Ordered That Returning Exiles be given what they need for rebuilding of the Temple. That Returning Exiles be given offering to give in the temple That Retuning Exiles be given back the Gold and Silver taken from the Temple

22. Nehemiah 8:5 (NIV1984) 5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.

23. Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV1984) 1 0 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the L ORD is your strength.”