2 Chronicles 1
Ezra, chapter 1 introduces the opening of a historical event in which God’s people of Israel who had completed their exile in Babylon return to Jerusalem. First, King Cyrus (of Persia) is moved by God and issues a decree. Through this decree, he proclaims throughout the whole nation that they should return to Judah and Jerusalem to rebuild God’s temple. The first half of chapter 1 (verses 1-4) quotes the content of Cyrus’s decree, and in the latter part (verses 5-11) it records how, in response, the leaders and the people of the tribe of Judah prepare, and how the furnishings (articles) of the temple are entrusted to the Persian official Sheshbazzar and the process of returning home is carried out.
1verseSolomon the son of David was firmly established in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and made him exceedingly great.
2verseSolomon spoke to all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to every prince in all Israel, the heads of the fathers’ households.
3verseThen Solomon, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for God’s Tent of Meeting was there, which the LORD’s servant Moses had made in the wilderness.
4verseBut David had brought God’s ark up from Kiriath Jearim to the place that David had prepared for it; for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.
5verseMoreover the bronze altar that Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made was there before the LORD’s tabernacle; and Solomon and the assembly were seeking counsel there.
6verseSolomon went up there to the bronze altar before the LORD, which was at the Tent of Meeting, and offered one thousand burnt offerings on it.
7verseThat night, God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for what you want me to give you.”
8verseSolomon said to God, “You have shown great loving kindness to David my father, and have made me king in his place.
9verseNow, LORD God, let your promise to David my father be established; for you have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.
10verseNow give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of yours?”
11verseGod said to Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor yet have you asked for long life; but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king,
12versetherefore wisdom and knowledge is granted to you. I will give you riches, wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had who have been before you, and none after you will have.”
13verseSo Solomon came from the high place that was at Gibeon, from before the Tent of Meeting, to Jerusalem; and he reigned over Israel.
14verseSolomon gathered chariots and horsemen. He had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen that he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
15verseThe king made silver and gold to be as common as stones in Jerusalem, and he made cedars to be as common as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland.
16verseThe horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt and from Kue. The king’s merchants purchased them from Kue.
17verseThey imported from Egypt then exported a chariot for six hundred pieces of silver and a horse for one hundred fifty. They also exported them to the Hittite kings and the Syrian kings.
The Overall Meaning of the Passage
In this chapter, the important points are God’s sovereignty and fulfillment working behind the scenes of human history. After 70 years since Israel’s people were taken into exile, at the time when King Cyrus held world power, God moves his heart so that Israel’s people can return to Jerusalem. Also, the record that the temple furnishings are returned as they were shows that even during the exile period, God preserved His people and did not forget His promise. You can understand Ezra 1 as a flow of God’s covenant being fulfilled, the beginning of restoration, and the obedience of the people who respond to God’s call.
Points to Reflect On
- How do you come to terms with the fact that God moves the “big flow” of history so that, at times, He accomplishes His will even through the most unexpected person?
- Just as the people of Israel responded immediately to King Cyrus’s decree, how are you responding to God’s call today?
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Let’s look back and see where, in my life right now, I can find God’s guidance and His working in history.
- Also, think about how you can put into practice in real life the “way of obeying God’s sovereign providence and taking the first step by faith.”
As part of Coupang Partners activities, this post may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
