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. 3 Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. 4 And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem. --Ezra 1:2 KJV
(Known as Cyrus's Edict of Restoration)
Cyrus the Great, "King of the Four Corners of the World" ruled the Achaemenid Empire from 559 B.C. until his death in 530 B.C. His rule encompassed the land between the Mediterranean and the Indus River, the largest empire known to man up until that time.
Interesting how God used a gentile, a powerful world ruler, to effect His purposes for His people. Reckon He still uses people who are not necessarily His followers to accomplish His ends these days?
2 comments:
Sometimes I think He manages to use non-believers easier than believers. They don't realize God is working through them so they aren't fighting tooth and nail every step of the way. (qv the Pharoah of the Exodus)
Sharkey, excellent observation! We believers are too often "Why me, Lord?" or, "Let Sharkey do it; she is so much more qualified than I."
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