Reading for November 1st

Read Ezra 1.1-11. In 1.1-11: The decree of Cyrus and its results. The legitimation pattern is opened by having Cyrus, the dominat founder of the Persian empire as Israel experienced it, decree that all those from Jerusalem should return and rebuild the house of the Lord. In verses 1-2: In order that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished: Jeremiah had claimed the Exile in Babylon would last 70 years (Jer 29.10). The first year of Cyrus is probably a reference to his first year over the Babylonian empire, which he captured in 539 BCE. The decree that follows is substantially the one the closes 2 Chr 36. Charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem is not the confession of Cyrus's belief in Israel's God, but rather a balanced polytheistic way of claiming that all subjugated people's gods have empowered Persian rule. Thus the persian king, by virtue ofhaving rule, should honor the gods who have permitted it. In other ancient sources, Cyrus claims the same divine approval from Marduk, the chief Babylonian god. In verse 3: He is the God who is in Jerusalem reflects the common ancient Near Eastern concept that gods and goddesses are especially presenet and should be worshipped in particular locations. In verse 4: For the house of God in Jerusaelm is an expansion of the decree in 2 Chr 36 that allows for the collection of offering for the Temple in Jerusalem by all those living outside the city. In verse 5: The heads of the families of Judah and Bejamin, and the Priests and the Levites: The primary tribes populating the southern kingdom of Judah were Judah and Benjamin. The Priests and Levites were usually counted separately from the tribes. In verse 7: King Cyrus himself brought out the vessels of the house of thr Lord the Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem: When Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed in 587 BCE, the Babylonians looted the Temple precinct, including the gold and silver vessels used in the Temple service. The return of these vessels links the Temple of Solomon that had been destroyed by the Babylonian with the Temple that will be built after the Exile. In verse 8: Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah: There is no consensus on what this title may have meant in this time period. In Ezra 5.14 Sheshbazzar is called "govenor" of the province, so it may be that the author is using "prince" to indicate a leading citizen. In verse 9: And this was the inventory: This list possibly has been copied from an authentic inventory of the returned vessels. Coments or Questions..