Ob and In:
1. Repeated from the previous passage:
v.21, 22a in fulfillment of the LORD’s message spoken through Jeremiah
(NET) Regarding the promise he delivered through Jeremiah see Jer 29:10.
2. God is active in history, even in the heart of the unbelievers
v.22b the LORD motivated King Cyrus of Persia to issue a proclamation throughout his kingdom and also to put it in writing.
(EBC) Cyrus’s policy of cooperating with local religions and of encouraging the return of exiles has received explicit archaeological confirmation from the inscriptions of the king himself (cf. esp. the famous “Cyrus Cylinder,” ANET, p. 315).v
Words such as the following which were authorized by Cyrus: “The LORD [Yahweh], the God of heaven, has given me all kingdoms,” should be recognized from the viewpoint of contemporary Persian government they would probably have been understood more as diplomatic language (cf. on 35:21). Cyrus could thus address a Babylonian audience, saying, “Marduk, king of the gods [confessedly, the leading deity of the pantheon of Babylon, but not of Persia!] … designated me to rule over all the lands” (Cyrus Cylinder; cf. comment on v.22). But this monarch was still God’s instrument for the providential restoration of Israel (Isa 44:28–45:5).
Reflection: As the post-exilic community read the book of 2 Chronicles they knew Who God is: His words are important, it will certainly comes true, even the unbeliever kings are instrument in His hands. Why trusting the Egyptian army or any other army in this world? Why not trust God?
The building of the temple may be a diplomatic gesture of the king. Therefore, it could be changed at any time. However, they chose to trust God and move back to Jerusalem, because the fact that they could start is a fulfillment of God's word. Will I take risk in my life if I know God's will and plan?
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