Part 1: Proxies & Policies

God has consistently used imperfect people to accomplish his perfect purposes. Think: David's immoral actions and misuse of government resources to cover them up, Samson's weakness and, therefore, betrayal of his nation, Saul's persecution of religious freedom...

King Cyrus was a pagan king who God specifically chose - and predicted so 100 years before he arrived on the scene. This was no accident, despite King Cyrus's pluralistic religious practices. He set policies in place that outlasted him and made a way for the Jews to rebuild the Temple years later...