NOTES for Ezr 1:1-11
Jeremiah’s prophecy has been fulfilled: the Persian king Cyrus has ordered the Temple in Jerusalem to be rebuilt. This is a joy for the whole Jewish people, but why does the initiative come from Cyrus, who remained a follower of another religion? The simplest explanation is the practical needs of imperial policy, the necessity of taking into account the customs and sentiments of conquered peoples. Such an explanation seems entirely natural. Yet let us not forget that both in those days and later, conquerors very often acted quite differently from Cyrus and eradicated the customs of conquered peoples, often together with the peoples themselves.
Why not suppose that Cyrus’s decision was influenced from above? Even in Old Testament times, the Lord manifested His action not only within the one chosen people. The paths of all nations were open before Him. He cared for each people in a special way, and among any people there could be persons capable of acting according to His will.
In the same way, among those who have not yet entered the Church, many are ready to hear the Lord and respond to His call.