September 23 Ezra 1:1-4:5 Omnipresence of God

Very interesting are the declarations of Cyrus about God. No doubt, Cyrus was a polytheistic (many gods) pagan idol worshiper So, Cyrus declared:

• His name - the LORD - Yahweh
• He gave Cyrus all the kingdoms
• Appointed him to build a temple for God
• Yahweh is the God of Israel
• Yahweh is in Jerusalem

Cyrus is correct about all but the last two assertions. Right now, the LORD is God of Israel, but He really is God over all people. At that time, few outside of Israel worshiped Him as such. 

Cyrus is wrong about God is in Jerusalem. Polytheists believed that different places and even families had different gods who presided there with them. The LORD is omnipresent - He is everywhere - all at the same time. He is distinct from everywhere - whereas Buddhists believe God is part of everything. We are not God and God is not us, yet He is everywhere. 

God is truly over Cyrus and has the power to give Cyrus kingdoms and appoint him to build a temple. All of the other gods that Cyrus thinks exist, simply do not.

The God of the Bible is over all and is everywhere - the only King over all the heavens and earth.