God’s Sovereign Control of the Details The Doctrine of Fulfillment of Prophecy

As we started the Daniel study we focused on Peace in the Promises Now as we start Ezra we return to this doctrine of fulfillment of prophecy with a focus on God's sovereign control of the details.

• The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
• Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
• Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1
• By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4

Through the prophet Isaiah, God foretold that He would raise up a king named Cyrus to send His exiled people back to their homeland. True to His Word, God fulfilled this promise during the days of Ezra. Judah’s 70-year exile ended, and God’s people returned to rebuild their decimated temple and land.

What difference does it make to know that God named a powerful king to an appointed task long before that king drew a breath?  Fulfilled prophecy confirms God’s truth and displays His character. God, the eternal King, works through and despite earthly kings. How does God’s unfolding plan, moving forward in His perfect time and ordained way, strengthen your faith? Jesus Christ, God’s own Son, came to earth as God had promised. He will return, just as God has foretold. The God of eternity has revealed enough about the future for His people to experience comfort and hope today. 

Which promise from God’s Word will you take to heart today? 

How does God’s faithfulness embolden you to walk through the doors of opportunity He opens as you serve Him and others?

God orchestrated the timely fulfillment of His promises. He moved the heart of Persia’s King Cyrus to enable the first 50,000 returnees led by Zerubbabel. God guided individuals, families, priests, and leaders to abandon their familiar lives in Babylon, travel to a decimated homeland, and take on difficult work. God supplied the needs of His called travelers by moving their neighbors and even the king toward giving riches the Israelites would need to complete their task. The details in this book demonstrate God’s faithfulness to His Word and His sovereignty over all people, including those who do not recognize His divine hand.

• God’s control of history: Isaiah 46:9-10, Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.
• The Holy Spirit and prophecy: 2 Peter 1:20-21, Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.