The proclamation by Cyrus as contained in our text marked the end of a 70-year captivity and the return of the Jews to their ancestral lands. This return occurred in three phases. The first phase was led by Zerubbabel. It was this Zerubabbel who felt intimidated by the enormity of problems that he became hesitant to build. Zechariah had to spur him to action by the word of the Lord, teaching him to rely on grace. The second phase was led by Ezra who was described as a ready scribe. The third phase came much later when Nehemiah obtained leave from the king to go and set things straight in Jerusalem.

Whereas we always want things done spontaneously as it speaks more to the miraculous, God does His work one step at a time…When the dots are all connected, you will come out beautiful.

The phased nature of the return points to how God works. Whereas we always want things done spontaneously as it speaks more to the miraculous, God does His work one step at a time. He forewarned them when they were still a fledgling nation, that He would not drive out all the heathen at once. “I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee. By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.” (Exodus 23:29-30 KJV). The speed may not be appreciable by your estimation, but rest assured that God is working out something in your life. When the dots are all connected, you will come out beautiful.