🌊 Ezra 1

Ezra 1 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that Yahweh’s word by Jeremiah’s mouth might be accomplished, Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,” That is not a motto invented for a poster. It is the first sentence a family hears when this page is opened at night.

Keep going a little further. The chapter also says, “All those who were around them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, with animals, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered.” Ezra 1 opens with these words: “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that Yahweh’s word by Jeremiah’s mouth might be accomplished, Yahweh stirred up the spirit…” The line to keep is Ezra 1:7: “Also Cyrus the king brought out the vessels of Yahweh’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought out of Jerusalem, and had put in the house of his gods;” Carry the word “cyrus” from that verse into the rest of the day.

The line worth learning out loud is Ezra 1:7: “Also Cyrus the king brought out the vessels of Yahweh’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought out of Jerusalem, and had put in the house of his gods;” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.

What happens first in Ezra 1? Then try this: Read “Also Cyrus the king brought out the vessels of Yahweh’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought out of…” once more. What does it show you about God? You do not have to finish every verse. You can close the book after the memory verse and still have read the Bible together.