The Temple is Dedicated
September 30, 2021
Commentary
Governor Tattenai, Shethar-Boznai, and their advisers carefully obeyed King Darius (v. 13). Because of this, the Jewish leaders were able continued their work on the temple with success, while the prophets Haggai and Zechariah encouraged them through their preaching and teaching (v. 14). In this way, the temple was completed by the command of the God of Israel and through the decrees of the Persian kings Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes. The temple was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of King Darius’ reign (v. 15). The priests, Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy (v. 16).
At the dedication, the people offered one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, and four hundred lambs as sacrifices (v. 17). In addition, 12 male goats were also offered as sin offerings for the 12 tribes of Israel, showing their desire for forgiveness and restored unity. Then the priests and Levites were assigned to their duties in the temple of God in Jerusalem, following the instructions written long ago in the Book of Moses (v. 18). This showed their respect for God’s word.
The returned exiles kept the Passover on the 14th day of the first month (v. 19). The priests and Levites had purified themselves, and all of them were ceremonially clean (v. 20). They killed the Passover lamb for the returned exiles, for their priests, and for themselves. The sacrifices were eaten by the Israelites who had returned from the exile and by others who had separated themselves from the practices of the surrounding nations, turned away from sinful practices to worship the LORD, the God of Israel (v. 21). For 7 days, they joyfully celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread, rebuilding the temple (v. 22).
Application
This passage leads me to reflect on joyful obedience. Am I faithful in small duties? Do I confess sin and seek unity? How can I worship with a clean heart, encourage others, and finish God’s work with perseverance and gratitude before Him? Where do I need obedience, repentance, and celebration together as I serve God and His people?
Ezra 6:13–22 (NET)
13 Then Tattenai governor of Trans-Euphrates, Shethar-Bozenai, and their colleagues acted accordingly—with precision, just as Darius the king had given instructions. 14 The elders of the Jews continued building and prospering, while at the same time Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo continued prophesying. They built and brought it to completion by the command of the God of Israel and by the command of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia. 15 They finished this temple on the third day of the month Adar, which is the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.
16 The people of Israel—the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the exiles —observed the dedication of this temple of God with joy. 17 For the dedication of this temple of God they offered 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and 12 male goats for the sin of all Israel, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. 18 They appointed the priests by their divisions and the Levites by their divisions over the worship of God at Jerusalem, in accord with the book of Moses. 19 The exiles observed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. 20 The priests and the Levites had purified themselves, every last one, and they all were ceremonially pure. They sacrificed the Passover lamb for all the exiles, for their colleagues the priests, and for themselves. 21 The Israelites who were returning from the exile ate it, along with all those who had joined them in separating themselves from the uncleanness of the nations of the land to seek the Lord God of Israel. 22 They observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with joy, for the Lord had given them joy and had changed the opinion of the king of Assyria toward them so that he assisted them in the work on the temple of God, the God of Israel.
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