The ‘Chosen People’ of ancient Israel were defeated by Babylonian enemies and dreamed of rebuilding their empire. When Persia’s King Cyrus defeated Babylon, he furthered the Israelites’ realization of that dream and they acclaim him. Cyrus is thus contrived as an agent of Yahweh, “Thus says the Lord to his anointed, Cyrus.” “It is I … Continue reading “Belonging to Caesar”