Ezra 1:2 "Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah."
I read verse 2 and am amazed at the manner in which Cyrus is speaking to the
people of Israel. This is Cyrus who was king of the "greatest"
kingdom on earth at that time and he is speaking in such a humble manner to the
captive people of Israel. Notice such a difference between Nebuchadnezzar
and Cyrus. As Nebuchadnezzar was walking through his kingdom one day, he spoke
these words: "Is not this great Babylon, that I HAVE BUILT for the
house of the kingdom by the might of MY POWER, and for the honour of MY
MAJESTY?" (Daniel 4:30) He was cast out and driven into the field to
eat grass with the animals. What is the difference between Nebuchadnezzar
and Cyrus? Notice the words of Cyrus, "The LORD God of heaven hath
given me all the kingdoms of the earth." (Ezra 1:2) Cyrus was giving
the glory to the Lord God Almighty for his position as king over all the
kingdoms of the known earth at that time. In these few words, Cyrus was
acknowledging the Lord God to be "KING of kings".
Not only did Cyrus acknowledge God to be his KING; but he also testified the
Lord God to be "LORD of lords." Cyrus understood his position
as an earthly lord to be such that men followed and obeyed his every decree.
THE LORD "hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem which is in
Judah." The Lord has made a decree and I will obey His
command. But then notice another statement made by Cyrus king of Persia
spoken in a land that was filled with idolatry. People were constantly
bowing down to idols to pray to them as if they had any power. But when Cyrus
spoke of "the LORD God of Israel", he added a very specific statement
of fact: "He is the God". The LORD God of Israel is THE God.
There is no other. Who could have told Cyrus this? How could he have
known? I submit that he knew this great truth in the same manner you and
I know this truth. God, Himself, revealed it to Cyrus in the same manner He has
revealed it to you and me.
The Lord God Almighty is sovereign in all His ways! In speaking of
Nebuchadnezzar's fall, it is important to be reminded of the end of those seven
years when he fed with the animals. I close today's devotion with some very
important words from King Nebuchadnezzar which apply to him, to Cyrus, to me,
and to you. We would do well to read, pay attention, and follow these
words in our lives.
"And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto
heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High,
and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an
everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
(35) And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing:
and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the
inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What
doest thou? (36) At the same time my reason returned unto me; and
for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and
my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my
kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. (37) Now I
Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works
are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to
abase." (Daniel 4:34-37)
In our daily actions, may we bless, praise, and honor HIM THAT LIVETH FOREVER!