11 And in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, at the completion of the word of Jehovah from the mouth of Jeremiah, hath Jehovah waked up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, and he causeth an intimation to pass over into all his kingdom, and also in writing, saying, 2 'Thus said Cyrus king of Persia, All kingdoms of the earth hath Jehovah, God of the heavens, given to me, and He hath laid a charge on me to build to Him a house in Jerusalem, that 'is' in Judah; 3 who 'is' among you of all His people? His God is with him, and he doth go up to Jerusalem, that 'is' in Judah, and build the house of Jehovah, God of Israel—He 'is' God—that 'is' in Jerusalem. 4 'And every one who is left, of any of the places where he 'is' a sojourner, assist him do the men of his place with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, along with a free-will offering for the house of God, that 'is' in Jerusalem.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezra 1:1-4
Commentary on Ezra 1:1-4
(Read Ezra 1:1-4)
The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus. The hearts of kings are in the hand of the Lord. God governs the world by his influence on the spirits of men; whatever good they do, God stirs up their spirits to do it. It was during the captivity of the Jews, that God principally employed them as the means of calling the attention of the heathen to him. Cyrus took it for granted, that those among the Jews who were able, would offer free-will offerings for the house of God. He would also have them supplied out of his kingdom. Well-wishers to the temple should be well-doers for it.