Faithful Daniel Identifies Himself With Unfaithful Israel

Daniel pleaded with the Lord to fulfill these promises speedily and to preserve the honor of God. He identified himself fully with those who had fallen short of the divine plan, confessing their sins as his own. Though Heaven had called Daniel “greatly beloved,” he now appeared before God as a sinner, urgently presenting the need of the people he loved. His prayer was eloquent in its simplicity:RR 195.5

“O Lord, ... we have sinned. ... Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers.”RR 195.6

“O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all those around us.”RR 195.7

“O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God.” Verses 4-6, 16, 19.RR 195.8

Even before the prophet had finished his prayer, Gabriel appeared to him again, called his attention to the vision he had seen, and outlined in detail the seventy weeks that were to begin at “the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem.” Verse 25.RR 195.9

The beginning of Cyrus’s reign marked the completion of the seventy years since Nebuchadnezzar had taken the first company of Hebrews to Babylon. God had used Daniel’s deliverance from the den of lions to create a favorable impression on the mind of Cyrus. The noble qualities of the man of God as a statesman of farseeing ability led the Persian ruler to show him great respect and to honor his judgment. And now God moved on Cyrus to understand the prophecies written about him and to grant the Jewish people their liberty.RR 195.10

The king saw the words that more than one hundred years before his birth had foretold the manner in which Babylon would be taken. He read the message that the Ruler of the universe had addressed to him: “I will gird you, though you have not known Me, that they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is none besides Me.” “I have named you, though you have not known Me.” As he viewed the inspired record, “He shall build My city and let My captives go free, not for price nor reward,” his heart was profoundly moved, and he determined to fulfill his divinely appointed mission. Isaiah 45:5, 6, 4, 13. He would let the Judean captives go free!RR 196.1

In a proclamation published “throughout all his kingdom,” Cyrus made known his desire: “The Lord God of heaven ... has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem ... and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.” Ezra 1:1-4.RR 196.2

“Let the house be rebuilt,” he further directed regarding the temple, “the place where they offered sacrifices. ... Let the expenses be paid from the king’s treasury. Also let the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple which is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and taken back to the temple which is in Jerusalem.” Ezra 6:3-5.RR 196.3

News of this decree reached the farthest provinces, and there was great rejoicing. Many, like Daniel, had been studying the prophecies and had been seeking God for His promised intervention in Zion’s behalf. And now their prayers were being answered!RR 196.4

When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing. Psalm 126:1, 2RR 196.5

About fifty thousand of the Jews in exile determined to take advantage of the wonderful opportunity to “build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.” Their friends “encouraged them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with precious things.” “King Cyrus also brought out the articles of the house of the Lord.” Ezra 1:5-7.RR 196.6

They accomplished the long journey across the desert in safety, and the happy company immediately began the work of reestablishing what had been destroyed. “The heads of the fathers’ houses” (Ezra 2:68) led in offering of their own funds and possessions to help defray the expense of rebuilding the temple, and the people, following their example, gave freely of the little they had. See verses 64-70.RR 197.1

The leaders built an altar on the site of the ancient altar in the temple court. The people “gathered together as one man” and united in reestablishing the sacred services that had been interrupted when Jerusalem was destroyed, and “they also kept the Feast of Tabernacles.” Ezra 3:1, 4. Setting up the altar greatly cheered the faithful remnant. They gathered courage as preparations for rebuilding the temple advanced from month to month. Surrounded by many sad reminders of their ancestors’ apostasy, they longed for some permanent token of divine forgiveness and favor. More than regaining personal property, they valued the approval of God. They felt the assurance that He was with them, yet they desired greater blessings. They looked forward to the time when they might see His glory shining out from within the rebuilt temple.RR 197.2

Among the ruins the workmen found some of the immense stones brought to the temple site in the days of Solomon. These they made ready for use, and much new material was provided. Soon the foundation stone was laid in the presence of many thousands assembled to witness the progress of the work. While the cornerstone was being set in position, the people “sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord.” Verse 11.RR 197.3