Ezra 1 for Kids

For seventy long years, God's people had lived far away in a land called Babylon. It was not their home. Their real home, the city of Jerusalem, was a long, long way off. And the special place where they used to worship God — the temple — was broken down.

But God had not forgotten them. He had promised, a long time before, that one day He would bring them back.

Now a new king ruled the whole land. His name was Cyrus. And one day God did something quiet and amazing — He stirred up the heart of King Cyrus, the way the wind stirs water.

King Cyrus made a big announcement. He said, “The Lord, the God of heaven, has told me to build Him a house in Jerusalem. So any of His people who want to go — go! Go home and build it. And may God be with you.”

The people could hardly believe it. They were going home!

Cyrus even brought out all the gold and silver bowls that had been taken from God's old temple. He counted them out, every single one, and gave them back. “Take these home too,” he said.

God had moved a king's heart, and the long wait was over.