Ezra 1 - Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

The proclamation of Cyrus for the rebuilding of the temple.

The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus. The hearts of kings are in the hand of the Lord. God governs the world by his influence on the spirits of men; whatever good they do, God stirs up their spirits to do it. It was during the captivity of the Jews, that God principally employed them as the means of calling the attention of the heathen to him. Cyrus took it for granted, that those among the Jews who were able, would offer free-will offerings for the house of God. He would also

have them supplied out of his kingdom. Well-wishers to the temple should be well-doers for it. (Ezr 1:5-11)