A. C. 537. ch. 1. 21. 536. p2 Chron. xxxvi. 22, 23. Jer. xxv. 12. & xxix. 10. 28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. SECTION XX. Decree of Cyrus for the Restoration of the Jews. EZRA I. VER. 1–554. 1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD Pby the mouth of Jeremiah might be ful 54 After the death of Darius the Median, Cyrus returned to Babylon, and took on him the whole government of the empire; over which he reigned as sole monarch, seven years. The seventy years' captivity, prophesied by Jeremiah, had now just expired, computing it from the fourth of Jehoiakim; and on the same month on which it began, Cyrus, in the first year of his reign, granted a public decree for the rebuilding of the Temple and the return of the Jews into their own land. See Prideaux, vol. i. p. 183; and Ezra i. 1. There can be no doubt but that Daniel obtained from Cyrus this decree in favour of the Jews. The fame of Daniel had extended itself all over the east; and his recent interpretation of the wonderful hand-writing on the wall must have materially increased his reputation. As soon, therefore, as Cyrus had taken possession of Babylon, he sent for Daniel, and consulted with him as to the best measures for the settlement of the government; and, on this occasion, he gave so much satisfaction, that Cyrus soon after made him his minister of state over all the provinces of the Babylonian empire. When Cyrus returned from his Syrian expedition to Babylon, he found that Daniel was held in the highest favour and esteem by his uncle Darius the Median; and that his fame was very much increased by his miraculous preservation in the lions' den. There is every reason, therefore, to suppose that the prophet availed himself of this moment of popularity, and used all his influence and authority to bring about the restoration of his people. Josephus informs us, that Cyrus was acquainted with the prophecies of Isaiah; and that he was so, is evident from the decree itself: "He hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem," (v. 2.) It is only natural, therefore, to conclude that Daniel, who was so much interested in their accomplishment, and who had such constant access to the king, should lay before him those predictions (Isaiah xliv. 28. and xlv. 1.) which called him by name, and foretold his high destiny, so many years before he was born. Seventy years were now nearly elapsed since the Jews were first carried out of Judea by Nebuchadnezzar, to people and strengthen Babylon; and now, at their close, under the Persian government, the weakening and dispeopling of that same city might be a strong reason for their being sent back again to their own country. No wise prince would ever desire that any part of his dominions should remain unpeopled: who, then, could be more proper again to plant the desolated country of Judea than its former inhabitants? But, whatever secondary causes operated on the mind of Cyrus, God's over-ruling power, which stirreth up the hearts of princes according to his will, brought it to pass, that in the first year of Cyrus's monarchy over the east, he issued his royal decree for the rebuilding of the Temple and the return of the Jews into their own country; thereby fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah xxv. 11, "and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years." -Prideaux's Connection, p. 185, &c. filled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, A. C. 536. that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom,, Heb. caused and put it also in writing, saying, a voice to pass 2 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, ali 28. which is in Judah. 3 Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. Is. xliv. him up. 4 And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place + help him with silver, and the lift with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem. PSALM CXXVI 55. 1 The church, celebrating her incredible return out of captivity, 4 prayeth for, and prophesieth the good success thereof. A Song of degrees. 1 When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, Heb. rewe were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD & hath done great things for them. turned the returning of Zion. Heb. hath magnified to 3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we do with them. are glad. 4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. * || Or, singing. basket. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in || joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious *Or, seed seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. PSALM LXXXV. 1 The psalmist, out of the experience of former mercies, prayeth for the continuance thereof. 8 He promiseth to wait thereon, out of confidence of God's goodness. To the chief Musician, a Psalm † for the sons of Korah. 1 LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. 2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. 55 Psalm cxxvi. There is little doubt that this Psalm was composed on the return of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon: the internal evidence almost demonstrates it.-Vide Bishop Horne; Travell; Dr. Wells. That Psalm lxxxv. was likewise written on the same occasion is evident from ver. 1.-Dimock; Poole's Annotations. + Or, of. + Or, well pleased. r Ps. xxxii. 1. A. C. 536. * Or, thou hast turned thine anger 3 Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: *thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger. 4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anfrom waring ger toward us to cease. hot. 5 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? 6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? 7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation. 8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. 9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12 Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. 13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps. 2 CHRONICLES XXXVI. Ver, 22, 23. 22¶Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD S s Jer. xxv. 12, spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up 13. & xxix. 10. the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 23 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. PERIOD THE EIGHTH; FROM THE TERMINATION OF THE BABYLONISH CAPTIVITY, TO THE REFORMATION OF WORSHIP BY NEHEMIAH, AND THE COMPLETION OF THE CANON OF THE OLD TESTAMENT BY SIMON THE JUST-FROM 536 TO ABOUT 300. Chapter I. FROM THE DECREE OF CYRUS, TO THE DEDICATION OF THE SECOND TEMPle. II. FROM THE DEDICATION OF THE SECOND TEMPLE, TO THE DEATH OF HAMAN. III. THE REFORMATION BY Nehemiah, and THE COMPLETION OF THE CANON OF THE OLD TESTAMENT BY SIMON |
