Why does Cyrus the great Emperor order the restoration of the people of God to the land of God? He does so because the Lord stirs him up. World history is merely a stage upon which God acts. Nations rise and fall at his command, and they do so thereby serving his purposes. Why are the people of God to be restored? They are to be restored because God begins to act. That absolutely is the key. The Lord prophesied through Jeremiah, and then stirred up his people, and we will see it again as we continue. For example, in Ezra 1:5, those who participate in this first group that go back; it says,
Terry L. Johnsoneveryone whose spirit God had stirred up to go and rebuild the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem…We cannot stir up leaders of this world or the people of God. We cannot get to the hearts. We have no access to human hearts. Only the Holy Spirit can get to human hearts. That is why when we water and plant, it is futile unless God causes the growth. So where does the restoration of the people of God begins? It begins when they recognize that restoration is a work of God, that only God can restore the people of God. Restore it to health and vitality. Restore the power of his gospel and the influence of the people of God, and turn things around so that once again the church of God and the people of God are characterized by life and health and fruitfulness.1
1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: