God’s holy Temple (and Living Stones) – Ezra chapter 6
King Darius then issued an order, and they searched in the archives stored in the treasury at Babylon. 2 A scroll was found in the citadel of Ecbatana in the province of Media, and this was written on it.
Memorandum:
3 In the first year of King Cyrus, the king issued a decree concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem: Let the temple be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices, and let its foundations be laid. It is to be sixty cubits] high and sixty cubits wide, 4 with three courses of large stones and one of timber. The costs are to be paid by the royal treasury. 5 Also, the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, are to be returned to their places in the temple in Jerusalem; they are to be deposited in the house of God.
Ezra 6:1-5 New International Version – UK (NIVUK) Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The rebuilding story so far:
- An altar,
- A foundation,
- A beginning on the Temple,
- A abandoned building site for 16 years,
Now, it comes to a joyful completion
The local governor wants to stop them, and writes to Darius, Emperor of Persia. “Sire, these Jews claim King Cyrus the Great gave them permission to build! have the records searched”. Darius finds Cyrus’ edict and commands the rebuilding, at royal expense, and threatens any who try to thwart the work!
What can we learn:
- In bad and good and long times, God provides for His people.
- The power of God’s word. “Return to me,” declares the Lord Almighty, “and I will return to you” Zech. 1:3.
- Gentiles too can join in the joy of God’s people, as here gentiles who feared the Lord joined in the celebrations at the opening of the Temple.
- Yet, these things are no more: Temple, sacrifices, Passover. The Temple had served it’s purpose, and been replaced by a better. “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.” God builds with “living stones” now (1 Peter 2:5)
4 As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him – 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:5
