Ezra 6
The opening words of chapter 6, pick up where chapter 5 left off. Tattenai and his fellow governors had requested King Darius to order a search of the royal archives and issue a ruling on the legitimacy of the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem (5:17). The opening twelve verses in chapter 6 contains Darius’ reply. A document had been discovered in the citadel in Ecbatana that detailed a decree issued by “Cyrus the king” (6:1-3). Indeed, Cyrus had commanded that the Temple be rebuilt, sixty cubits in height and breadth, with “three layers of great stones and one layer of timber” (6:3). Additionally, Cyrus decreed that the gold and silver vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar were to be restored to the “house of God” (6:4-5).
In keeping with this royal decree, Darius commands Tattenai and his colleagues to “keep away” from “the work on this house of God” (6:7). In fact, Tattenai is commanded to pay the cost for the rebuilding project out of the tribute collected in the “province from Beyond the River” (6:8). The animals (bulls, rams, and sheep) and supplies (wheat, salt, wine, or oil) necessary for the ongoing sacrifices are to “given to them day by day without fail” (6:9). Darius wants the Jews to be able to “offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons” (6:10). If anyone alters or opposes this edict, Darius commands that he be impaled and his house destroyed (6:11).
Tattenai and the other officials respond by doing what the king orders “with all diligence” (6:13). Inspired by this royal affirmation, the work on the temple proceeds to completion (6:15). Throughout the four years of reconstruction, the builders are supported and strengthened by the ministry of Haggai and Zechariah: “And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo” (6:14). The Temple rises from the debris, rebuilt and restored “by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia” (6:14).
The rebuilding project wraps up on “the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king” (6:15). The timing of the completion of the Temple is perfect. Adar, the twelfth month of the Jewish calendar (corresponding to April/May), comes right before the Jewish New Year (the month of Nissan). So the celebration of the dedication takes place right before the festivals of Passover and Unleavened Bread, which occur in the first month of the New Year.
The dedication service for the Temple brings the returned exiles together for a joyful celebration. The priests and Levites, assigned to their appropriate divisions as indicated in “the Book of Moses” take the lead. Sacrifices are offered on the altar: 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs as burnt offerings and twelve male goats as a sin offering for the twelve tribes of Israel (6:17).
On the fourteenth day of very next month, the first month of the Jewish year, the returned exiles keep the Passover (6:19). They are joined by other Jews who had “separated” themselves from “the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to worship the Lord, the God of Israel” (21). After keeping Passover, they spend seven days joyfully celebrating “the Feast of Unleavened Bread” (6:22). Joy abounds “for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work (6:22).
Knowing God: Understanding His Person and Ways
God’s sovereignly works in history so his decrees get done. Ezra credits the completion of the Temple to the “decrees of the God of Israel” and “the decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia” (6:14). God accomplishes His will by working through choices of human leaders and by providentially overseeing the events of history. He “turned the heart of the king” to aid His people; He ensured Cyrus’ decree was preserved, discovered (in a different city and citadel than normally used by Darius—6:2), and enforced (6:8). History is truly His story. Knowing this should give confidence and calm to God’s people today; God is still working His will in the midst of world events.
God receives the glory for the work done in His name. No Jewish names are highlighted at the dedication. Zerubbabel and Jeshua, who had been instrumental at the start (3:8) and restart (5:2) of the project are not mentioned as being honoured at the dedication. While Zerubbabel and Jeshua are cited as playing a key part in the building process, all glory for the completion goes to God. He is the One who moved pagan kings and exiled people to accomplish this monumental task.
Joining God: Moving with God on Mission
Those engaged in God’s work must trust Him to provide and protect His work. The Jewish exiles rebuild despite the fact their work would be contested and potentially curtailed by the decree of the Persian king. They build trusting God for provisions and protection all along the way. They fortify their courage through hearing the faithful proclamation of God’s truth (6:14) rather than listening to the doubts of detractors and critics.
Success in God’s work should be celebrated with unity and joy. The dominant mood at the dedication of the Temple was a unified and undiminished joy (6:22). The Temple dedication was a celebration without recrimination. No mention is made of those who were initially negative in their assessment of the rebuilding project (3:12-13). We read no disparaging remarks about the Jews who got their priorities inverted for over a decade, building their own houses rather than God’s house (Haggai 1:2). Instead, the dedication ceremony emphasizes joy for the entire nation. The priests and Levites symbolize national unity by offering twelve goats as sin offerings “according to the number of the tribes of Israel” (6:17). They do this even though most of the rebuilders came from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin (1:5). This is a temple for all the people of God.
Rick and Linda Reed 