The Temple is Completed

Topic: Restoration
Passage: Ezra 6:1–12

May 28, 2021

Commentary

Darius commanded that the records be searched to determine if Cyrus had made a decree permitting the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem (v. 1). The document they sought was not found in Babylon but in Ecbatana, the capital of the province of Media, where the Persian kings kept a summer palace (v. 2). This shows that God preserved the truth even when it seemed hidden, that His plans are never delayed beyond His perfect timing. Cyrus had ordered that the foundations of the temple be “strongly laid,” and that its height and width were each to be 90 feet (v. 3). It appears that Cyrus desired a temple larger and more impressive than the one that had been destroyed years earlier. He not only permitted the rebuilding but also approved the use of royal funds to support the project (v. 4). The gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the first temple were to be returned and placed in the rebuilt house of God in Jerusalem (v. 5).

Darius went even further than Cyrus in supporting the Jews and their building work (vv. 6–12). He warned Tattenai and the other officials not to interfere and gave clear instructions to assist the work rather than hinder it (vv. 6–7). They were also ordered to provide money from local taxes to cover the expenses of the builders so that the work would not stop (v. 8). Animals and supplies for sacrifices were to be given regularly so prayers could be offered for the king and his son. Whether out of sincere loyalty or fear of punishment, since disobedience meant death, the officials “did speedily what he had commanded” (vv. 9–12). As a result, the temple was finally completed in the sixth year of King Darius’ reign, showing that God can use whoever earthly rulers to accomplish His holy purposes.

Application

This passage reminds me to trust God when progress seems slow. Am I patient when His plans feel hidden? Do I obey even when help comes from unexpected people? How can I keep building faithfully, pray sincerely, and rely on God’s timing? Where do I need to act with courage and obedience, with faith and not with fear?

Ezra 6:1–12 (NET)

1 So Darius the king issued orders, and they searched in the archives of the treasury which were deposited there in Babylon. 2 A scroll was found in the citadel of Ecbatana which is in the province of Media, and it was inscribed as follows:

3 In the first year of his reign, King Cyrus gave orders concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem: ‘Let the temple be rebuilt as a place where sacrifices are offered. Let its foundations be set in place. Its height is to be 90 feet and its width 90 feet, 4 with three layers of large stones and one layer of timber. The expense is to be subsidized by the royal treasury. 5 Furthermore, let the gold and silver vessels of the temple of God, which Nebuchadnezzar brought from the temple in Jerusalem and carried to Babylon, be returned and brought to their proper place in the temple in Jerusalem. Let them be deposited in the temple of God.’

6 “Now Tattenai governor of Trans-Euphrates, Shethar-Bozenai, and their colleagues, the officials of Trans-Euphrates—all of you stay far away from there. 7 Leave the work on this temple of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this temple of God in its proper place.

8 “I also hereby issue orders as to what you are to do with those elders of the Jews in order to rebuild this temple of God. From the royal treasury, from the taxes of Trans-Euphrates, the complete costs are to be given to these men so that there may be no interruption of the work. 9 Whatever is needed—whether oxen or rams or lambs for burnt offerings for the God of heaven or wheat or salt or wine or oil, as required by the priests who are in Jerusalem—must be given to them daily without any neglect, 10 so that they may be offering incense to the God of heaven and may be praying for the good fortune of the king and his family.

11 “I hereby give orders that if anyone changes this directive a beam is to be pulled out from his house and he is to be raised up and impaled on it, and his house is to be reduced to a rubbish heap for this indiscretion. 12 May God who makes his name to reside there overthrow any king or nation who reaches out to cause such change so as to destroy this temple of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, have given orders. Let them be carried out with precision!”

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