Ezra does not only recount God's punishment for their disobedience to Him, but also expresses God's relief, deliverance and favour that had been showed to them. For instance, he rejoices that the Lord permits a remnant to have a brief period of time of freedom from oppression.
This is with the aim of allowing them to be taught again, and worship in God's temple in Jerusalem. The deliverance from captivity was made possible by God through Cyprus the Great, the king of Persia, who made a gracious proclamation that permitted all captives to return to their
homeland (Ezra 1:2-4). Cyprus also asked that God's temple in Jerusalem to be re-built. When Judah's neighbors attempted to stop the work, another Persian, Darius, made an edict for the resumption of work on the temple. Through Nehemiah, the wall of Jerusalem was set up. All these
are God's mercies enjoyed by the people. How many times has God sent such a relief to you even when you are unfaithful to Him. All these are to show you how merciful and gracious God is to you and that He will not cast you away forever.
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