CYRUS DECREES THE RETURN. Ezra 1-2 The first two and a half verses of chapter 1 are almost identical to the last verses of 2nd Chronicles. The repetition of these words indicates that not only were they written by the same person, but there was perhaps the intention to tie the nation's history to individual people by putting names and faces on them and their work.
As the account of God's dealings with His people in the Old Testament unfolds, it is well for us to learn that God has a purpose for His people and that it will be fulfilled. 175 years before the events in Ezra chapter one, Isaiah had foretold these things, including Cyrus' name and the fact that God would use him to bring about the return of His people. "He is My shepherd" lets us know that God can use anyone He chooses to fulfill His purposes. God's interest in His people may take a long time to be accomplished, or it may be brought about quickly in an unusual way initiated by those we least expect. We don't want to limit God in our thinking by insisting that His purposes will be done only as we think they should be.