Book of 2 Chronicles - Chapter 36 - Verse 23
Meaning
The verse 'Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.' from the book of Ezra in the Bible speaks of King Cyrus of Persia acknowledging the power and authority given to him by the LORD God of heaven to conquer nations and to carry out a specific task - building a house in Jerusalem for the LORD. This verse highlights how God can work through individuals, even those who may not follow Him directly, to fulfill His plans and purposes. King Cyrus's decree allowing the exiled Israelites to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem is a demonstration of God's sovereignty and his desire for his people to worship Him in the proper place. This verse serves as a reminder of God's ability to use unlikely sources to bring about His divine will and the importance of recognizing and following His direction.
Theological Overview
In this verse, Cyrus, the king of Persia, proclaims that the LORD God of heaven has given him all the kingdoms of the earth and charged him with the task of building a house in Jerusalem for the LORD. This declaration highlights the sovereignty of God and His ability to work through even pagan rulers to accomplish His purposes. The reference to building a house in Jerusalem alludes to the rebuilding of the temple after the exile, which was a significant event in the history of Israel. The verse also emphasizes the importance of God's presence with His people, as Cyrus acknowledges the LORD as the God of the Israelites and encourages those who are willing to return to Jerusalem to go and rebuild the temple with the Lord's blessing. Overall, this verse showcases God's power to work through unlikely individuals for the fulfillment of His plan and the significance of His presence among His people.