11 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia , in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah , the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia , so that he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom , and also put it in writing , saying : 2 "Thus says Cyrus king of Persia , 'The Lord , the God of heaven , has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem , which is in Judah . 3 'Whoever there is among you of all His people , may his God be with him! Let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah and rebuild the house of the Lord , the God of Israel ; He is the God who is in Jerusalem . 4 'Every survivor , at whatever e place he may [1]live , let the men of [2]that place support him with silver and gold , with goods and cattle , together with a freewill offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem .' "
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezra 1:1-4
Commentary on Ezra 1:1-4
(Read Ezra 1:1-4)
The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus. The hearts of kings are in the hand of the Lord. God governs the world by his influence on the spirits of men; whatever good they do, God stirs up their spirits to do it. It was during the captivity of the Jews, that God principally employed them as the means of calling the attention of the heathen to him. Cyrus took it for granted, that those among the Jews who were able, would offer free-will offerings for the house of God. He would also have them supplied out of his kingdom. Well-wishers to the temple should be well-doers for it.