How
did Cyrus know about the prophecy concerning him? He probably gained this
knowledge from the prophet Daniel who was still alive when the Persian Empire
was in power. Daniel did prophesy that a kingdom would arise and defeat the
Babylonian Empire (Daniel 2:39). It could be this Daniel who told Cyrus about
the prophecy of Isaiah who prophesied the things concerning him and that he
would rebuild the temple of God in Jerusalem (Isaiah 44:28).
The
ever grateful Cyrus obeyed the prophecy concerning him and the work he must do.
The greatest king of the greatest empire of that time was grateful to God and
submitted to the will of God to rebuild the temple for Him in Jerusalem. He
even paid for the rebuilding from the king’s treasury.
In
Cyrus we see humility and gratitude. Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest boxers
of all time wasn’t like this. Muhammad Ali was immensely proud. He was quoted
as saying: “It’s hard to be humble when you’re as great as I am.” What an
arrogant man!
Observe
the words used by king Cyrus:
1.
The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth –
This was clear acknowledgement of the majesty of God and His blessings.
Contrast king Nebuchadnezzar’s words with king Cyrus. King Nebuchadnezzar said:
"Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a
royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?" This Babylonian
monarch had a heart that was inflated with pride; he attributed everything to
himself, and did not acknowledge God for his achievements. For king
Nebuchadnezzar, everything was “I” – I did all these things. Whereas, king
Cyrus said it was the LORD God of heaven who had given him all the kingdoms of
the earth.
If
you are a CEO or a very successful businessman, do you attribute your success
to God or to your hard work and intelligence? Do you give thanks to God for the
talents and for making you what you are?
In
Paul, we see humility too. He wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:10: “But by God's
grace I am what I am.” He was before a persecutor of Christianity and
deserved to be condemned, but he acknowledged that it was because of the grace,
the favour and mercy of God that he was still alive and was even made an
apostle. Indeed, what we are today is by the grace of God and therefore, let us
give thanks to God for it.
2.
He hath charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem – King Cyrus didn’t
forget God’s commandments. We would think a busy man like him would not have
time for God and His temple. But Cyrus remembered God’s works and he took upon
himself to see that it’s been carried out.
I
have seen too many Christian successful businessmen, managers, highly paid
executives and professionals who have all the time for their work but none for
God’s work. No one is too busy that he has no time for doing God’s work; it is
a matter of priority. I have also seen successful businessmen and busy
professionals who have made time for doing God’s work; some are even elders of
the church.
It
shows us that it is a matter of choice and priority. You can make time for God,
that is, if you have the desire. My co-elder and I are extremely busy in our
secular work. Still, we message each other from morning till night to discuss
and decide on matters pertaining to the church. And, this year we even start
the Sunday evening worship service. We would love to spend the Sunday evening
resting earlier or just sitting on the couch relaxing and watching a TV movie.
But the spiritual needs of some who cannot make it for worship on Sunday
morning come first; it takes priority over our much needed rest. Everything is
a matter of choice and priority: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve”
(Joshua 24:15).
Let
us be like this busy king. He acknowledged God’s blessings on him and he
returned the favour. Let us do likewise.
Jimmy Lau
Psa
119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
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