New Beginnings

Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026

We’re almost to the New Testament... Hang in there! We just need to cover a few more chapters in the historical books and latter prophets, establishing the anticipation of the birth of our Messiah-King, Jesus.

You might want to have a look at this overview video from the Bible Project that provides context for the historical books of Ezra and Nehemiah, describing the Israelites' return from exile, the rebuilding of the second temple, and the growing anticipation for the Messiah's arrival.

Ezra 1 opens with a sentence that would have seemed impossible just decades earlier: “The Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia” (Ezra 1:1). A pagan emperor, stirred by the Spirit of God, issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return home and rebuild the temple. No doubt he has been moved by the influential presence of the people of God forced to live in exile for the past 70 years. Finally, Jeremiah’s 70-year prophecy is fulfilled precisely on schedule. The long night of exile is over. While reluctantly and unknowingly, the Israelites have spent the last 70 years fulfilling their calling to be a “light to the nations.”

What’s theologically remarkable here is that God accomplishes His purposes through an unexpected and unlikely instrument. Cyrus didn’t follow the God of Israel, yet Isaiah had named him as God’s “anointed” a century before Cyrus was even born (Isaiah 44:28, 45:1). This is sovereignty in full display: no exile lasts forever, no decree of man can obstruct the purposes of God who is perfectly capable of moving the hearts of kings to accomplish His redemptive plan.

This is a story about permission to begin again. After decades of loss and displacement, God opens a door that no one expected. For those carrying the weight of something that feels permanent, like a broken relationship, derailed dreams, or a season of spiritual dryness, Ezra 1 is a word of genuine hope. The God who moved Cyrus can move mountains. God specializes in new beginnings.

Devotional Prompts:

Where in your own life do you need to believe that God is capable of moving an unexpected “Cyrus” to bring about a fresh start for you?
What does this passage reveal about how God works through ordinary, even unlikely, historical events to fulfill His redemptive plan?

Prayer: Lord of every season, You are the God who opens doors in the middle of exile. Move in our circumstances today as You moved in the heart of Cyrus. Surprise us with your grace, and call us forward into the new beginning only You can provide. Amen.