EGW WritingsEzra 1

Conflict and Courage

God’s Hand on the Machinery, September 8

CC 257.1

That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, thy foundation shall be laid. Isaiah 44:28.

CC 257.2

The Lord has resources. His hand is on the machinery. When the time came for His temple to be rebuilt, He moved upon Cyrus as His agent to discern the prophecies concerning Himself, and to grant the Jewish people their liberty.12The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 4:1175.

CC 257.3

The deliverance of Daniel from the den of lions had been used of God to create a favorable impression upon the mind of Cyrus the Great....

CC 257.4

As the king saw the words foretelling, more than a hundred years before his birth, the manner in which Babylon should be taken; as he read the message addressed to him by the Ruler of the universe, ... his heart was profoundly moved, and he determined to fulfill his divinely appointed mission. He would let the Judean captives go free; he would help them restore the temple of Jehovah. In a written proclamation published “throughout all his kingdom,” Cyrus made known his desire to provide for the return of the Hebrews and for the rebuilding of their temple....

CC 257.5

Tidings of this decree reached the farthermost provinces of the king’s realm, and everywhere among the children of the dispersion there was great rejoicing. Many, like Daniel, had been studying the prophecies, and had been asking God for His promised intervention in behalf of Zion....

CC 257.6

Upon Zerubbabel ... Cyrus placed the responsibility of acting as governor of the company returning to Judea; and with him was associated Joshua the high priest. The long journey across the desert wastes was accomplished in safety, and the happy company ... at once undertook the work of re-establishing that which had been broken down and destroyed.13Prophets and Kings, 557-559.

CC 257.7

The Lord God omnipotent reigneth. All kings, all nations, are His, under His rule and government. His resources are infinite. The wise man declares, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” Those upon whose actions hang the destinies of nations, are watched over with a vigilance that knows no relaxation by Him who “giveth salvation unto kings.” 14The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 4:1170.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Lt 98, 1907

22LtMs, Lt 98, 1907, par. 2

I have been writing on the subjects of Old Testament history. I have now nearly completed the book of Ezra. It has been a very interesting task to sketch the history of this remarkable man. The Lord raised up Ezra to be His servant. He moved upon the heart of the king, so that Ezra found favor with him. The king placed in his hands abundant means for the rebuilding of the temple and made it possible for the Jews to return, who for seventy years had been in captivity in Babylon. In thus giving to His people another opportunity to serve God in their own country, the Lord shows His forbearance with His wayward children.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Lt 100, 1907

22LtMs, Lt 100, 1907, par. 2

For some time I have been writing on the subjects of Old Testament history. I have now nearly completed the book of Ezra. I have been encouraged as I have studied the experiences of this remarkable man. I am now writing on the seventh chapter, which deals with the time when the king’s decree went forth, that permitted Ezra to go up from Babylon and take with him the help he needed for the work to be accomplished in Jerusalem. Please read this chapter.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 45—The Return of the Exiles

PK 558.1

In a written proclamation published “throughout all his kingdom,” Cyrus made known his desire to provide for the return of the Hebrews and for the rebuilding of their temple. “The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth,” the king gratefully acknowledged in this public proclamation; “and He hath charged me to build Him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all His people? His God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, ... and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (He is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. 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.” Ezra 1:1-4.

PK 559.2

“The chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised”—these were the goodly remnant, about fifty thousand strong, from among the Jews in the lands of exile, who determined to take advantage of the wonderful opportunity offered them “to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.” Their friends did not permit them to go empty-handed. “All they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things.” And to these and many other voluntary offerings were added “the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem; ... even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, ... five thousand and four hundred” in number, for use in the temple that was to be rebuilt. Ezra 1:5-11.

From Splendor to Shadow

Faithful Daniel Identifies Himself With Unfaithful Israel

SS 288.2

In a proclamation published “throughout all his kingdom,” Cyrus made known his desire: “The Lord God of heaven ... hath charged me to build Him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all His people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, ... and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (He is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. 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 offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.” Ezra 1:1-4.

SS 289.2

About fifty thousand from 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 “aided them with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, with beasts, and with costly wares.” “Cyrus the king also brought out the vessels of the house of the Lord.” Ezra 1:5-7, RSV.

SS 290.1

The workmen found among the ruins some of the immense stones brought to the temple site in the days of Solomon. These were made ready for use, and much new material was provided. Soon the foundation stone was laid in the presence of many thousands assembled to witness the progress of the work. While the cornerstone was being set in position, the people “sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord.” Verse 11.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 16 [Nos. 1186-1235]

January 31

16MR 169.3

We find examples in the word of God concerning this very matter. Cyrus, king of Persia, made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it into writing, saying, “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. 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” [Ezra 1:2, 3]. A second commandment was issued by Darius for the building of the house of the Lord, and is recorded in the sixth chapter of Ezra.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 11, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 11, 1895, par. 36

We find examples in the Word of God concerning this very matter. Cyrus, king of Persia, made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also into writing, saying, “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 an house at Jerusalem which is in Judea. Who is there among you of all His people? His God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judea, and build a house of the Lord God of Israel.” [Ezra 1:2, 3.] A second commandment was issued by Darius for the building of the house of the Lord, and is recorded in the sixth chapter of Ezra.

From Splendor to Shadow

The Beginning of Reformation

SS 321.4

One of those present, Shechaniah, acknowledged as true the words spoken by Ezra. “We have broken faith with our God,” he confessed, “and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land.” Shechaniah proposed that all who had transgressed should forsake their sin and be adjudged “according to the law.” “Arise,” he told Ezra, “for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.” Verses 2-4, RSV.

SS 322.3

In this age of the world, when Satan is seeking to blind the eyes of men and women to the claims of the law of God, there is need of men who can cause many to “tremble at the commandment of our God.” Verse 3. There is need of men mighty in the Scriptures, men who seek to strengthen faith. Teachers are needed who will inspire hearts with love for the Scriptures!

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 97, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 97, 1897, par. 1

The Lord has moved upon us here in Cooranbong to arise and build a house of worship for the Lord. When the matter was first considered, we could not see how the building could be erected. I was referred to Ezra 1:2-6; 3:8-13; 5:1. We have had none of this hindrance. When the matter was laid before our people in Cooranbong, who assemble to worship God, they unanimously, with one or two exceptions decided to follow the counsel of the Lord. We had only £100 in our hands; and some thought we ought not to rush the matter until we were sure that we could accomplish the work. The proposition was made that we could enclose the building, and finish it at some convenient time. I conceded in this decision.

From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 51—Ezra Sparks a Spiritual Revival

SS 321.1

Ezra had learned that Israel’s apostasy was largely traceable to their mingling with heathen nations. He had seen that if they had kept separate, they would have been spared many sad experiences. Now when he learned that men of prominence had dared transgress the laws given as a safeguard against apostasy, his heart was stirred. He was overwhelmed with righteous indignation. “When I heard this, I rent my garment and my mantle ... . Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the faithlessness of the returned exiles, gathered round me.” Verses 3, 4, RSV.

SS 321.2

At the time of the evening sacrifice Ezra fell on his knees and unburdened his soul to Heaven. “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to Thee,” he exclaimed. Verse 6. “From the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great guilt; and for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been given into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plundering, and to utter shame, as at this day.” “For we are bondmen; yet our God has not forsaken us in our bondage, but has extended to us His steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection in Judea and Jerusalem.” “Shall we break Thy commandments again and intermarry with the peoples who practice these abominations?” Verses 7, 9, 14, RSV.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 49—In the Days of Queen Esther

PK 599.3

It was those “whose spirit God had raised” (Ezra 1:5) who had returned under the decree of Cyrus. But God ceased not to plead with those who voluntarily remained in the land of their exile, and through manifold agencies He made it possible for them also to return. The large number, however, of those who failed to respond to the decree of Cyrus, remained unimpressible to later influences; and even when Zechariah warned them to flee from Babylon without further delay, they did not heed the invitation.

From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 49—Esther, the Hebrew Girl Who Became Queen

SS 310.1

Those “whose spirit God had raised” (Ezra 1:5) returned under the decree of Cyrus. But God ceased not to plead with those who voluntarily remained in the land of exile, and through manifold agencies He made it possible for them also to return. However, the larger number of those who failed to respond to the decree remained unimpressible, and even when Zechariah warned them to flee from Babylon, they did not heed the invitation.

From Splendor to Shadow

Ezra Studies to Show Himself Approved

SS 315.1

God chose Ezra that He might put honor upon the priesthood, the glory of which had been eclipsed during the captivity. Ezra developed into a man of extraordinary learning and became “skilled in the law of Moses.” Verse 6, RSV. These qualifications made him an eminent man in the kingdom.