Maybe you all can help me with a Bible conundrum. The 70 weeks prophecy in Daniel 9 kicks off with a "decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem." Even if the math doesn't work out, how could this NOT be the Cyrus decree in 539 bc?
Because Isaiah says:
"It is I who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd,
And he will carry out all My desire.’
And he says of JERUSALEM, ‘SHE WILL BE BUILT,’
And of the temple, ‘Your foundation will be laid.’” Isaiah 44:28
And also:
"I have stirred him in righteousness,
And I will make all his ways smooth.
He will BUILD MY CITY and let My exiles go free,
Without any payment or reward,” says the Lord of armies." -Isaiah 45:13
I suppose we can solve this problem by saying the "weeks" are Sabbath year cycles, which wouldn't have started until Ezra got to Jerusalem in 458 BC, reinstituting Jewish law in Jerusalem and Judea?
Thoughts??
Because Isaiah says:
"It is I who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd,
And he will carry out all My desire.’
And he says of JERUSALEM, ‘SHE WILL BE BUILT,’
And of the temple, ‘Your foundation will be laid.’” Isaiah 44:28
And also:
"I have stirred him in righteousness,
And I will make all his ways smooth.
He will BUILD MY CITY and let My exiles go free,
Without any payment or reward,” says the Lord of armies." -Isaiah 45:13
I suppose we can solve this problem by saying the "weeks" are Sabbath year cycles, which wouldn't have started until Ezra got to Jerusalem in 458 BC, reinstituting Jewish law in Jerusalem and Judea?
Thoughts??