Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Michael Farris:
Men are under the mistaken impression that they themselves are the rulers of the world. But Psalm 2 is a wonderful picture of God's warning to men that he has installed his king, and that man's earthly reign is temporary and ultimately serves God's purposes alone.

In the book of Ezra, we read about Cyrus, king of Persia. God used King Cyrus to restore Israel and rebuild the temple after the exile. Later, the Persian Empire fell to the Greeks, led by Alexander the Great.

In Plutarch's Lives we read how young Alexander the Great came upon the tomb of Cyrus, which still stands in Iran. He read these sobering words: "O man, whosoever thou art, and whencesoever thou comest, for I know that thou will come. I am Cyrus, son of Cambyses, and I won for the Persians their empire. Do not therefore begrudge me this little earth that covers my body." In the final analysis, Cyrus' great empire returned to the dust with him.

Alexander read these words as the conqueror of Persia, but he, too, went the way of all men, dying just eight years later at the age of 33. The far-reaching kingdom he'd won for Greece and Macedonia became the prize of Rome, which also fell as ruthless men made their bid for power.

Use the study of ancient history to help your student see the final kingship rests with God alone. I'm Mike Farris.