Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Chronicles 36:22-23

"Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and [put it] also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath Jehovah, the God of heaven, given me; and he hath charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whosoever there is among you of all his people, Jehovah his God be with him, and let him go up." — 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 (ASV)

God had promised the restoring of the captives, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, at the end of seventy years; and that time to favor Zion, that set time, came at last. Though God's church is cast down, it is not cast off; though his people are corrected, they are not abandoned; though thrown into the furnace, they are not lost there, nor left there any longer than until the dross is separated. Though God contends long, he will not contend always.

Before we close the books of the Chronicles, which contain a faithful register of events, think what desolation sin introduced into the world, indeed, even into the church of God. Let us tremble at what is here recorded, while in the character of a few gracious souls, we discover that the Lord did not leave himself without witness.

And when we have looked at this faithful portrait of man by nature, let us contrast with it that same nature, when recovered by Almighty grace, through the justifying and soul-adorning righteousness of Christ our Savior.