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Why Ezra Didn't Return Under the Decree of Cyrus

Why did Ezra wait 80 years after Cyrus's decree to return to Jerusalem?

AdventAI

Ezra the priest did not come in the first decree given by Cyrus?

AdventAI

Ezra did not return to Jerusalem with the first group under the decree of Cyrus; he arrived much later during the reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus in 457 B.C..

The Successive Decrees for Restoration

While Cyrus issued the initial proclamation allowing the Jews to return and rebuild the temple, Ezra's specific mission took place nearly 80 years later.

  • The Decree of Cyrus (536 B.C.): This first decree was directed at rebuilding the house of the Lord in Jerusalem Ezra 1:1-3. It was under this edict that a remnant, including Zerubbabel and the high priest Jeshua, returned to lay the foundation of the temple Ezra 1:5.

  • The Decree of Darius Hystaspes (519 B.C.): This was a re-affirmation of the original decree of Cyrus to ensure the temple work could be completed despite opposition Ezra 6:1-12.

  • The Decree of Artaxerxes (457 B.C.): This third and final decree was the one given specifically to Ezra the priest. It provided the full authority needed to restore the Jewish commonwealth, including the power to appoint magistrates and judges Ezra 7:25-26.

Ezra's Journey and Mission

Ezra was a ready scribe in the law of Moses who had prepared his heart to seek and do the law of the Lord Ezra 7:6. He departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month in the seventh year of Artaxerxes' reign Ezra 8:31. His arrival in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month was perfectly timed to bring spiritual reformation and establish the government of the people according to the laws of God Ezra 7:8-9.

Prophetic Significance

The departure of Ezra in 457 B.C. marks the true starting point for the prophetic period of the seventy weeks mentioned by the angel Gabriel to Daniel Daniel 9:24-25. While Cyrus began the work of the temple, it was the decree of Artaxerxes that completed the "commandment" to restore and build Jerusalem as a fully functioning city and state Ezra 6:14. Ezra himself recognized the divine hand in this, praising God for putting it into the king's heart to beautify the house of the Lord Ezra 7:27.

Sources · 17
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  3. ARSH March 21, 1854, page 69.5The Advent Review, and Sabbath Herald, vol. 5The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald
  4. 16MR 169.3Manuscript Releases, vol. 16 [Nos. 1186-1235]Ellen Gould White
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  8. STTHD 74.2The Sanctuary and the Twenty-three Hundred Days of Daniel 8:14Uriah Smith
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  11. SDP 126.1The Story of Daniel the ProphetStephen Nelson Haskell
  12. S23D 25.1The Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred DaysJohn Nevins Andrews
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