Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
Men i det første regjeringsåret til Babels kong Kyros, ga han en befaling om at vi skulle bygge opp igjen Guds hus. Også gjenstandene av gull og sølv som tilhørte Guds hus, og som Nebukadnesar hadde tatt med seg fra tempelet i Jerusalem til Babel – dem tok kong Kyros ut igjen fra tempelet i Babel, og de ble gitt til en som het Sjesbassar. Han var stattholder. Kyros sa til ham: ‘Ta disse gjenstandene! Før dem tilbake til tempelet i Jerusalem, og la Guds hus bli bygd opp igjen på sitt opprinnelige sted.’ Så kom den samme Sjesbassar til Jerusalem, og han satte i gang gjenoppbyggingen av Guds hus der det hadde stått. Fra da av og helt til nå har det vært under bygging, og det er ennå ikke helt ferdig.
What Does This Mean?
This verse talks about King Cyrus of Babylon who, in his first year as king, made a decree allowing the rebuilding of the house of God. It's a historical record of the support given by a non-Israelite ruler for the construction of the temple.
Explained for Children
Imagine if a big, strong leader said, 'Okay, you can build your treehouse.' That's what King Cyrus did for the people of God. He let them build their special house, the temple, where they could pray and meet with God.
Historical Background
Ezra, a priest and scribe, wrote this account during the post-exilic period, around the 5th century BCE. The audience was the returning exiles from Babylon, and the cultural setting was one of rebuilding and restoration after years of captivity.
Living It Out Today
Just as King Cyrus supported a project that was important to another group, we can support causes and projects that matter to others, even if they aren't directly our own. Think about a community project you could support or help with.
What role did King Cyrus play in the rebuilding of the temple?
King Cyrus, after becoming the ruler of Babylon, issued a decree allowing the Jews to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, providing a crucial support for their religious and cultural restoration.
Why was this decree significant?
The decree was significant because it marked a turning point for the Jewish people, allowing them to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple after a long period of exile.
How does this verse relate to the idea of divine intervention?
Some interpret this verse as an example of God working through a pagan ruler, Cyrus, to fulfill His promise of restoring His people and their temple.
What can we learn about leadership from King Cyrus?
We can learn that effective leadership sometimes involves supporting others' important projects, even if they are not directly your own initiatives. Cyrus' decision reflects an inclusive and supportive leadership style.