“Now you, Tattenai, governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and you, their associates, the envoys in the province Beyond the River, keep away; let the work on this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site. Ezra 5: 6, 7, The New Oxford Annotated Bible.
Father in heaven, we are listening to Your voice. Please continue to speak to us. May we hear clearly everything you have to say to us; and may we be encouraged to go forward in faith. In the Blessed Name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Yesterday we observed as God frustrated the efforts of the adversaries of His people in their attempt to stop the work of rebuilding the temple. The power of God’s people, as we saw yesterday was, and still is, thanks to the fact that His “all-seeing eye” is constantly upon us. Can you imagine how embarrassing it would have been for the elders of the Jews if such a decree from King Cyrus had not been found? I do not know how effective their filing system was. What I do know is that God never lost sight of where that decree had been filed!
How important to the “powers that be” was a decree issued on behalf of a group of Jewish exiles? Chances are, this document could have been misplaced, discarded, and even destroyed, a long time ago. But I have found that what is important to God’s people is also important to Him. Moreover, the rebuilding of the temple was not from an earthly decree. It was of heavenly origin. It was an important part of the seventy year prophecy concerning God’s people in exile; and also a part of the bigger prophecy of “2300 days.” God had decreed it through His human agent Cyrus, and God’s eye was open to all that was taking place. For “He who keeps Israel will neither slumbers nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4)!
Now, instead of hurting the cause, the Jews’ enemies are actually helping the cause. After finding that such a decree did exist, King Darius asks the governor and his companions to “Step back!” “Leave it alone!” “Let the work prosper!” But it gets better! “There is something you can do after all:” ‘Give them a helping hand.’ And what a help that was. Listen:
“‘”Moreover I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God: the cost is to be paid to these people, in full and without delay, from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province Beyond the River. Whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests in Jerusalem require—let that be given to them day by day without fail, so that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his children. Furthermore I decree that if anyone alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of the house of the perpetrator, who then shall be impaled on it. The house shall be made a dunghill. May the God who has established his name there overthrow any king or people that shall put forth a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, make a decree; let it be done with all diligence”'” (6: 8-12. Emphasis provided).
It doesn’t get any better that that does it? This new decree offers the Jews more than the former decree! They were given “royal financial support!” From the very beginning the elders of the Jews had made it clear Whose servants they were; Who they were working for. The Lord has promised to honor those who honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30); and God’s way of “honoring ” just blows me away! He gives us indeed, abundantly, above, anything we could imagine! The king even requested prayer for himself and his family! God’s name had been honored and His people vindicated.
Don’t ever become discouraged! Just remember, because “His eye is on the sparrow” and on you and me – we are safe!