God-fearing sinner saved by Grace. Retired (no one ever retires...) cosmetologist over 30 years. Also coached competitive gymnastics for 20. Love to garden, paint (art), lichtenburg, ride horses, watch miracles and prayers answered. I mostly love to love on my family. We are situated in the Great Smokey Mountains in East TN. Very happily married! God is so good!!
Who issued the decree that the Jewish captivity could return and rebuild Jerusalem?
It was Cyrus
Isaiah 45:1
Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
And so we know, that Gabriel carried a prophetic truth to Daniel (chapter 9) AND that God uses heathen kings as a “marker”….the things they say, the choices they make….
Did not Augustus decree a tax upon the world?
And thus Jesus arrived in Bethlehem (See Micah 5:2)
When rulers speak?
What evil or good they plot comes from outside themselves
Proverbs 21:1
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
@Fenceman
Seriously. I cannot understand why it's so hard to understand this except God will harden hearts in order that HIS will be done.