Ezra 1:1,2

Ezra 1:1,2  Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in 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. After King Solomon died, his son, Reheboam, was lifted up with pride and wanted to show all of his country that he was going to be a tough new king. But his show of power backfired and half of Israel rejected him as king. The country divided into Judah to the south and Israel to the north. Jereboab, one of King Solomon’s advisors became king of Israel and Reheboam remained king of Judah. After many years of sin and rebellion against God, Israel and Judah were taken over by foreign kings. The Jews repented and prayed to God to forgive them and to and restore their nation. soon, God put into the heart of the Persian King Cyrus to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. Years earlier, Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed the city of Jerusalem and torn down the Temple. But do you think God had forgotten the Jews? No, He had not. Do you think that God liked to punish His rebellious people? No, He did not. Do you think God was going to let the Jews disappear as a nation. No, He was not. God would keep Israel alive so that the Messiah could be born into their nation, God was punishing Israel for their sin, but He was working in King Cyrus’ heart to rebuild the Temple. God was preparing the way for the Jews. And God will prepare the way for you!