Ezra 6:16

Ezra 6:16 says, And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy.  When the Temple was completed, all the people of Israel dedicated it with joy, even if they were still under the authority of foreign rulers and not under their own king.  We should rejoice in the Lord always, even if we find ourselves under the authority of a government that opposes God.  At least they had received permission to rebuild the Temple.  No matter what happens in the world today, we have God’s authority to build His kingdom by sharing the gospel.  

Verse seventeen adds, And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.  They offered an abundant sacrifice to God when thy dedicated the Temple, though it was nothing compared to what Solomon had offered in sacrifice when he had dedicated the first Temple.  Still, Matthew Henry says what they offered really cost them more in terms of what they had than what Solomon had offered cost him in terms of what he had.   God is going to look more at what we give in respect to what He has blessed us with than in terms of just the amount given. 

Verse eighteen continues, And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.  The priests and Levites began to serve in accordance with the responsibilities that God had assigned them.  They did this in accordance with the scriptures, or the Book of Moses, which is really the first five books of the Bible, that they had as God's written word then.  We need to serve where God calls us to serve in the church and we need to be guided by the scripture, the Bible, when we do.  

Verse nineteen states, And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.  They were still referred to as the children of the captivity because that is what they had been.  Still, now they were back in the Promised Land with the Temple rebuilt and they kept the Passover as they should have.  They had recently been delivered from their captivity in Babylon, and it was very appropriate to celebrate the deliverance of their ancestors out of Egypt.  We should celebrate even more our deliverance out of the bondage of sin by our putting our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord.  

Verse twenty adds, For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.  The priests and Levites were purified before they offered the Passover sacrifice for all the people, including all the priests and themselves.  We cannot purify ourselves, but if we put our faith in Jesus Christ, He can and will purify us before God, and when we do accept Him as our personal Savior and Lord, we become a part of the priesthood of believers.  

Verse twenty-one continues, And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the Lord God of Israel, did eat,  Not only were the Israelites who returned from captivity celebrating the Passover, but those from other nations who had come with them were as well.  God was never just the God of the people of Israel Who condemned all other nations, but He was and is the God Who calls all people to Him.  The people of Israel were not chosen to be superior to other people but to reach out to other people with God’s love.  This is our calling today as Christians as well.  We will always be but sinners saved by grace.  

Verse twenty-two concludes, And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the Lord had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.  God blessed them and made them joyful.  As followers of Christ, if we are not joyful, there is something wrong.  We should never allow the problems of the world to keep us from being a joyous people, but it seems to me that we too often do.  We are told that God turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them to allow them to return and rebuild the Temple.  We can be certain that all good things come from God.  Of course, we must first accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord in order to be freed from the captivity of sin.

Ezra 6:11

Ezra 6:11 says, Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.  Darius set a severe penalty for anyone who defied his decree.  Their house was to be torn down and they were to be hung from the timber of the house.  We don’t have such penalties for people harming God’s work today, but one day if they don’t repent and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord, those who work against God will pay an even more devastating penalty.  They will forever be separated from God in everlasting torment.  

Verse twelve adds, And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.  Darius said that he had made this decree and that it applied to everyone.  He asked that God Who had caused His name to dwell there to destroy all kings and people who put their hand to alter or destroy the Temple, the house of God in Jerusalem.  He also asked that this be done quickly.  Of course, we know that the real Temple, the dwelling place of God, is not a building, but is the human heart.  So, those who would attempt to destroy those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ and have the Holy Spirit indwelling their heart, will face the same everlasting destruction that those who destroyed the physical Temple of God faced.  

Verse thirteen continues, Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.  These rulers may have sent word to Daris hoping to stop the building of the Temple, but they were quick to follow his instructions when he sent word back that they were to support the Jews in their rebuilding of the Temple.  At times, the attempt of people to stop God’s work may backfire on them and cost them materially instead of stopping His work.  Of course, this is not always the case, and we as Christians should be content to follow God no matter what happens.  

Verse fourteen states, And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.   The Jews continued to build until the work was done.  They did so under the authorization of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, but most importantly they did so by the commandment of God.  It was nice that they had the authorization of all these kings, but it was imperative that they were obeying God’s commandment.  We as followers of Christ today must follow God’s commandments no matter what the people in power in the world may say.  

Verse fifteen adds, And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.  The Temple was finished in the sixth year of the reign of Darius.  We as Christians will never be finished in doing God’s work as long as we live or until the return of Jesus Christ in victory.  As always, the first step in doing God’s work is to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord.

Ezra 6:6

Ezra 6:6 says, Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:  The reply was addressed to the governors beyond the river, who were the ones questioning the rebuilding of the Temple.  Matthew Henry says that Darius seemed to know that they were intending to hinder the rebuilding of the Temple, and he told them not to do so.  God will provide a way for His work to be done even in the face of opposition as long as His people are willing to be obedient to His call.  

Verse seven adds, Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place.  Darius was even more explicit in his decree here.  I believe that God will always make His will clearly known as well.  Of course, once we as Christians know what He wants us to do, we must continue to be obedient to His command to us.  Had the people of Israel not started the rebuilding when they were told they could, the question of their right to do so would not have been raised.  

Verse eight continues, Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.  Darius expanded the decree to say that tribute paid to him, even from those beyond the river, was to be used to pay for the work.  Not only did they not get the work on the Temple stopped, but they were also told that they were going to help pay for it.  God will sometimes give us much more than what we expected if we are obedient to Him.  

Verse nine states, And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:  Those who had written to Darius to get the work stopped were then told that they were also to provide the things necessary for the people who were rebuilding the Temple to have everything necessary for making sacrifices to their God.  I believe they were probably wishing that they had not raised the issue by now.  I do know that one day those who have fought against God’s people will wish they hadn’t.  

Verse ten adds, That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.  Darius said he wanted the people of Israel to be able to offer sweet smelling sacrifices to God and to offer prayers for life of the king and his sons.  He never really acknowledged God as his God but did acknowledge His power as the God of heaven.  It is the responsibility of Christians to pray for those in power according to Matthew Henry and by my understanding of the Bible as well.  Of course, the only way for this to be of spiritual benefit to anyone is for them to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord, and if you haven’t done so, why not do so today. 

Ezra 6:1

Ezra 6:1 says, Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.  The Jews who were rebuilding the Temple asked those telling them to stop to search the records for the decree of Cyrus stating that they were to rebuild it.  Of course, those opposing the rebuilding of the Temple were likely hoping that it either didn’t exist or wouldn’t be found.  We as followers of Christ must always do what God tells us to do, but it is always better if the laws of the land are with us instead of against us.  

Verse two adds, And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written:  The decree was found in a scroll in Achmetha in the province of the Medes, not in Babylon.  Matthew Henry says that Darius didn’t use the fact that the decree wasn’t found in Babylon as an excuse for not searching elsewhere.  We need to pray that if we are ever in a situation where we need proof to support our authorization by governmental powers to do a certain work in the church that they will be looking for proof we are authorized to do what we are doing and not just go through the motions of doing so.

Verse three continues, In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;  The decree was from the first year of the reign of Cyrus, and told not only of his authorization but also gave the dimensions of the Temple that was going to be rebuilt.  The decree contained even more information than they had claimed.  Sometimes, God will give us more than we are expecting when we are doing His work.  Of course, I’m not too sure that He is going to give us what we need until we actually start doing what we say we believe He has called us to do.

Verse four states, With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house:  There was a continuation of the specifications for the Temple, and an added provision that it would be paid for from the king’s house.  Not only did those who were trying to stop the Jews from building not find a reason for the building of the Temple to be stopped, they found authorization for it to be paid for.  I believe that God will always provide what we need when we are doing His work.  

Verse five adds, And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the Temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the Temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.  Not only was the work to be paid for, but all the Temple vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar were to be returned.  We may have some things taken away from us in this lifetime by those attempting to stop God’s work, but when Christ returns, everything that is God’s will be restored to Him, especially His people, those who have put their faith in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.  

Ezra 5:11

Ezra 5:11 says, And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.  When asked their names, the men of Israel told who they were instead.  They were the servants of the most high God of heaven and earth, Who is also the only real God.  They said they were there to rebuild the house of God that had been built many years ago by the great king of Israel, who was not named but was Solomon.  Our names are not as important as our relationship with God and our obedience to Him.   Verse twelve adds, But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.  They then gave the reason for the need to rebuild the house of God, or Temple.  The people of Israel had turned away from God and provoked Him, so He allowed then to be defeated by Nebuchadnezzar and the Temple to be destroyed.  As Christians, we cannot turn away from God's will in our life and expect there to be no repercussions.  This does not mean that we will lose our salvation, which we can never do, but that we may lose the blessings that God would have given us in this lifetime.  Verse thirteen continues, But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.  They then said that even though Nebuchadnezzar had defeated them and taken them away captive, that Cyrus the king of Babylon had given them permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple.  We also know that Jesus Christ referred to Himself as the Temple, that would be destroyed and rebuilt in three days, and this was accomplished with His crucifixion and resurrection on the third day.  We today do not worship in a particular building, nor are we called on to build one.  We worship the resurrected Lord, not by permission of man, but by the calling of God to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord.  Verse fourteen states, And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the Temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the Temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the Temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;  Not only did Cyrus tell them to rebuild the Temple, but he returned the vessels of the Temple as well.  What we need to realize is that God had preserved these, and He will preserve us forever as well if we put our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse fifteen adds, And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the Temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.  They said they were acting under the order of King Cyrus in bringing the vessels back and rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. Whatever we are doing to build the kingdom of God today is done by His authority and if we obey His call, He will provide us with everything we need in order to accomplish what He calls us to do.  Of course, we must act in faith in order for this to be true.  Verse sixteen continues, Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.  They said Sheshbazzar came and began building the Temple, and that it still wasn't finished.  We as Christians are continuing the building of God's kingdom started by all those who have gone before us, and the work will never be finished until Jesus Christ returns.  Verse seventeen concludes, Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.  They said if they had questions, they should search the King Cyrus's records and see if this were not true. If people have questions about our spreading the gospel today, we can only refer them to the Bible, God's record of His work of restoration and calling of people to Him. This was accomplished by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and faith in Him as one's personal Savior and Lord is the only way to claim God's gift of salvation.

Ezra 5:6

Ezra 5:6 says, The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:  Matthew Henry says these were neighbors of the people of Israel who had also fallen out of power. They had no problem with them rebuilding their houses, but when they started rebuilding the Temple, they felt the need to notify Darius.  People today may have no real concern about what Christians do in the secular world but then become concerned if we start doing great things for God. 

Verse seven adds. They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace.  These two men decided to write to King Darius about what was happening.  Matthew Henry points out that they at least stuck to the facts.  If we are ever accused of doing some great work for God today, as individuals or as a nation, and people have a problem with what we are doing, we need to pray that they at least stick to the facts.  

Verse eight continues, Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.  They then said they went to where the building was being built and checked things out for themselves.  We should want people to come and check out what we are doing for God as the church today.  Hopefully, they will find us doing great things for God.  

Verse nine states, Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?  They then said they asked the elders who had authorized them to do the work.  We should not be surprised today if those who oppose God attempt to find a legal reason to stop Christians from doing works for God. 

Verse ten adds, We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them. They said they then asked the elders for their names so that they could give them to King Darius.  If work is going on for God today and people of the world were to ask for the names of those doing it, would we be there to give our name and would we boldly do so?  We should pray that the answer would be yes. Of course, in order to do anything for God, you must be a part of His kingdom, and in order to do so, you must accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord. 

Ezra 5:1

Ezra 5:1 says, Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them. The rebuilding of the Temple had been stopped by the authority of men, but it was about to restart by the authority of God.  This was nine to fifteen years later according to Matthew Henry.  We as followers of Christ must never allow man-made laws to stop us from doing God's work, even for a short period of time.  Two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah prophesied to the people of Israel by the leadership and power of the Holy Spirit.  As Christians we today need to listen to the leadership of the Holy Spirit and act under His authority and power. 

Verse two adds, Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.  We are told two men, Zerubbabel and Jeshua, began to rebuild the Temple with the help of the prophets, though they had no governmental authority to do so.  We today, even if there are very few of us doing so, need to do what God has called us to do, even if it goes against governmental authority.  

Verse three continues, At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?  It didn't take long for the government officials to come to them and ask by whose authority were they rebuilding the Temple and wall.  If we go against the laws of man and follow the laws of God, it may not be long before we have government officials coming to us and asking us under whose authority are we acting. 

Verse four states, Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building? They then asked the names of the men building the building. If people asked today who is doing God's work, even if it is against man-made law, we need to pray that our name would be listed.  

Verse five adds, But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.  Since God was with them, those who were questioning them could not stop them.  Though these two rulers may have wanted to stop the rebuilding of the Temple, they couldn't do so without the authorization of Darius, and he was written concerning the matter. Actually, since God had told them to continue the work, it shouldn't have mattered what earthly ruler had authorized it.  We must always follow God's leadership no matter what.