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Cyrus Sets the Exiles Free
247
(He is God), which is in Jerusalem. And whoever is left in any place
where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and
gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the
house of God which is in Jerusalem.”
Ezra 1:1-4
.
“Let the house be rebuilt,” he further directed regarding the
temple, “the place where they offered sacrifices. ... Let the expenses
be paid from the king’s treasury. Also let the gold and silver articles
of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple
which is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and taken
back to the temple which is in Jerusalem.”
Ezra 6:3-5
.
News of this decree reached the farthest provinces, and there was
great rejoicing. Many, like Daniel, had been studying the prophecies
and had been seeking God for His promised intervention in Zion’s
behalf. And now their prayers were being answered!
When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Psalm 126:1, 2
About fifty thousand of the Jews in exile determined to take
advantage of the wonderful opportunity to “build the house of the
Lord which is in Jerusalem.” Their friends “encouraged them with
articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with pre-
[197]
cious things.” “King Cyrus also brought out the articles of the house
of the Lord.”
Ezra 1:5-7
.
They accomplished the long journey across the desert in safety,
and the happy company immediately began the work of reestablish-
ing what had been destroyed. “The heads of the fathers’ houses”
(
Ezra 2:68
) led in offering of their own funds and possessions to
help defray the expense of rebuilding the temple, and the people,
following their example, gave freely of the little they had. See
verses
64-70
.
The leaders built an altar on the site of the ancient altar in the
temple court. The people “gathered together as one man” and united
in reestablishing the sacred services that had been interrupted when