who says of Cyrus, ‘My shepherd will fulfill all that I desire,’ who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundation be laid.’”

— Isaiah 44:28

1 This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut:

13 I will raise up Cyrus in righteousness, and I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild My city and set My exiles free, but not for payment or reward, says the LORD of Hosts.”

— Isaiah 45:1, 13

From the descendants of this man, God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised.

— Acts 13:23

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.

— Numbers 24:17

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and salvation from Christ to you.

After a 70-year absence from their homeland, the demolished land of their fathers was now inhabited by a population that would make Israelites feel like strangers. And Israelite’s living in exile posed challenges to the unique identity and spiritual mission God intended for them. Life in Babylon probably felt somewhat normal and comfortable for most of them. Their moral standards and spiritual focus had deteriorated. They lacked access to the Jerusalem temple and God’s prescribed system of sacrifices and worship.

God orchestrated His people to return in three waves to the land where they would rebuild Jerusalem, reconstruct the temple, and restore their God-ordained system of worship. God preserved His people, despite their sin. And Hallelujah that He would still bring the promised Messiah into the world through His chosen nation. God would act powerfully on behalf of His people through leaders like Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, and kings such as Cyrus.