14 March 2021
In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in fulfilment of the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia so that he sent a herald throughout all his kingdom and also declared in a written edict: ‘Thus says King Cyrus of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may the Lord his God be with him! Let him go up.’
2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23, NRSV
During the course of Lent, the Old Testament readings have told us of the history of the people of Israel. We have heard of the promises God gave the people and of the chances given to them to keep their part of the Covenant. Despite these chances, the people repeatedly failed and grew increasingly wicked and unfaithful. In this final chapter of Chronicles, the author looks back at the catastrophe that resulted from the people’s failings. Their temple was destroyed, their city was ruined and the survivors deported to Babylon to serve the king. This desolate life lasted for seventy years until King Cyrus issued a decree for a new temple to be built in Jerusalem and for the return of the people to their city. This decree by King Cyrus showed that God had not forgotten the covenant he had made with Israel. At a very low point in their history, they were once again again given hope.
- Why do you think the people of Israel had to wait such a long time before receiving this sign of hope?
- What helps you to hold on to hope in times of difficulty?
Pray today for those who struggle to find hope in their lives.
