Ezra 1–2 begins a new chapter in Israel’s history.

Second Chronicles ended with Jerusalem destroyed, the Temple burned, and the people living in captivity in Babylon.

But God had not forgotten them.

The seventy years of judgment prophesied by Jeremiah were reaching their appointed conclusion.

Then God did something nobody in exile could have arranged for themselves:

He moved the heart of a king.

Ezra 1–2 teaches us:

God keeps His promises.

God can move powerful people.

God calls His people to respond.

Restoration requires sacrifice.

And rebuilding begins when ordinary people are willing to leave comfort behind and obey God.

Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of

Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Associ ...