Ezra Chapter 6
Please read: Ezra 6 –
Just as the elders in Jerusalem had said, the decree written by King Cyrus to rebuild the temple was found in the historical archives of the Persians. The governor of the province across the Jordan River, Tattenai, had tried to stop the Jews from rebuilding, but God turned the whole situation around and a second decree was issued. I’m sure this is not what Tattenai was expecting to happen. He had hoped that the king would issue a decree to cease all work on the temple. But the original decree by King Cyrus was found and the newest king, King Darius made the new proclamation allowing the efforts of the Jews to rebuild to be protected. He also decreed that the rebuilding would be financially sponsored and supported by the very province that tried to stop it, the province of the governor Tattenai.
Let's Reflect
1. In the archives they found the original decree written by King Cyrus. What specific size did he write the temple would be?
2. An amazing detail is found in this letter and is written in verse 5. What was that detail?
3. When Darius wrote back to Tattenai, what was the very first command given to them in that letter?
4. King Darius wrote that the temple should be allowed to be built on the original site. He also declared how their project would be funded. How?
5. According to verse 9 what was to be given to the Jews besides monies for the building?
6. What did King Darius want the Jews to do for him once they had the temple built?
7. To ensure that his decree was carried out by the people of the province, and that payments were made to the Jews, what did King Darius charge would be the punishment for those who disobeyed his orders?
8. Verse 12 is very interesting in that a foreign king made this decree over the people of Judah. What was his decree?
9. According to verse 14 what two prophets of God were there encouraging the work to continue until completion?
10. It took approximately 4 years to complete the rebuilding of the temple. What observance was held in Jerusalem upon completion of the temple, and what feast was celebrated?
This temple was grand but not as it was when Solomon built the first temple. “The general plan of the second temple resembled the first. But the (Most Holy Place) was left empty as the ark of the covenant had been lost through the Babylonian conquest…. (The Holy Place) was furnished with a table for showbread, the incense altar, and one menorah instead of Solomon’s ten.” [Yamauchi]
