06-30-2006, 02:21 PM
Remember the Persians didn't conquer the Jews, the Babylonians did. After the fall of Babylon, Persia ruled the Jews by default. Cyrus was very generous to the Jews, allowing them to re-build the temple under Ezra. So there would have been more "friendly" interaction between Jew and Persian. Remember, Nehemiah was the kings cup bearer. So Jewish thought would have been pervasive. Cyrus the great even said," Ezra 1:2 ¶ This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build Him a house at Jerusalem in Judah.
Ezra 1:3 Whoever is among His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem.
Ezra 1:4 Let every survivor, wherever he lives, be assisted by the men of that region with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem.â€
Ezra 1:3 Whoever is among His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem.
Ezra 1:4 Let every survivor, wherever he lives, be assisted by the men of that region with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem.â€
Johnny Shumate
