Week 31, Return of the People
Discussion Questions
Old Testament
Why did Cyrus, King of Persia, permit the people to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple?
New Testament
Are there circumstances in which Christians ought not follow the laws of government?
Notes and Commentary
Old Testament
Why did Cyrus, King of Persia, permit the people to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple?
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Ancient and modern history have many examples of conquering nations trying to maintain order over the lands and people who have been conquered. God’s original plan for His people in the days of Joshua was to exterminate the people who were conquered. Other nations have tried to rule by brute force. Other, more “enlightened” nations have attempted to maintain control by winning the conquered peoples loyalty. The Romans during the time of Christ, were in this category, as they tried to maximize the fruits of their domination, while minimizing their costs. The One Year Bible Companion suggests Cyrus too was trying to win the loyalty of Israel and Judah in order to create a buffer zone around Persia and protect it from it’s more formidable outlying enemies.
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The prophet, Isaiah, foretold Cyrus’ conquests and the rebuilding of the Temple. The king may have been anxious to show his gratitude and give credibility to Isaiah:
Isaiah 45:1 (WEB). Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him, and strip kings of their armor; to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut.
Isaiah 44:28 (WEB). “Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure,’ even saying of Jerusalem, ‘She will be built;’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation will be laid.’”
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The New John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible―The prophet Jeremiah foretold that the Jews should return from their captivity at the end of seventy years.
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Most obviously, Ezra 1:1 (WEBME) tells us: “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the LORD’s word by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing.” God is the almighty. The maker of heaven and earth. Although God acts in a fair logical manner, He also is completely capable of influencing everything and everyone in this world.
Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible. The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus. Note, The hearts of kings are in the hand of the Lord, and, like the rivulets of water, he turneth them which way soever he will. It is said of Cyrus that he knew not God, nor how to serve him; but God knew him, and how to serve himself by him. God governs the world by his influence on the spirits of men, and, whatever good is done at any time, it is God that stirs up the spirit to do it, puts thoughts into the mind, gives to the understanding to form a right judgment, and directs the will which way he pleases.
New Testament
Are there circumstances in which Christians ought not follow the laws of government?
The circumstances in which Paul wrote his admonition to follow the civil government are extraordinary. Many of the rulers in the world in which Paul wrote were bloodstained, unprincipled men who worshiped false foreign gods. If ancient Christians are to follow even such governments, then surely modern Christians are that much more strongly compelled to follow a generally moral country like the United States.
Barnes’ New Testament Notes―There were cases where it was right to resist the laws. This the Christian religion clearly taught; and, in cases like these, it was indispensable for Christians to take a stand. When the laws interfered with the rights of conscience; when they commanded the worship of idols, or any moral wrong, then it was their duty to refuse submission. Yet, in what cases this was to be done, where the line was to be drawn, was a question of deep importance, and one which was not easily settled. It is quite probable, however, that the main danger was, that the early Christians would err in refusing submission, even when it was proper, rather than in undue conformity to idolatrous rites and ceremonies.
Notes:
© Tom Truex 2014, Davie, FL