Context No. 3740 of 4322 · Ezra

Ezra 6:6-12: in context

6Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who are beyond the River, you must stay far from there. 7Leave 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 its place. 8Moreover I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the River, expenses must be given with all diligence to these men, that they not be hindered. 9That which they have need of, including young bulls, rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; also wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the priests who are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail, 10that they may offer sacrifices of pleasant aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and of his sons. 11I have also made a decree that whoever alters this message, let a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened on it; and let his house be made a dunghill for this. 12May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who stretch out their hand to alter this, to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree. Let it be done with all diligence.

King Darius, having found the original decree of Cyrus, issues a remarkable order. Not only are the enemies of the rebuilding to leave the Jews alone, but the royal treasury is to fund the work, and provisions are to be supplied for the sacrifices, so that the people can pray for the king. A pagan emperor becomes the patron of God's temple.

What is striking is how God works through the powers of the world to accomplish his purposes. The very officials who had tried to stop the rebuilding are now commanded to help pay for it. God turned the hearts of kings and the machinery of empire to serve the rebuilding of his house. There is encouragement here: when God is at work, even the powers that once opposed his purposes can be turned to serve them. What looked like an obstacle, the imperial authorities, became, by God's providence, the very means of provision. God is able to turn opposition into support and to move even kings to accomplish his will.

Do I trust that God can turn even opposition and the powers of this world into means of accomplishing his purposes, so that no obstacle finally stops what he intends to build?

Sources

Ezra 6:8: "I make a decree... that of the king's goods... expenses must be given with all diligence to these men, that they not be hindered."
Ezra 6:10: "That they may offer sacrifices of pleasant aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and of his sons."
Proverbs 21:1: "The king's heart is in the LORD's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires."