Ezra 5-6
With the work on the temple stalled, God sent 2 key men to prophesy to the Jews in Judah & Jersualem in His name (5:1). These two men were Haggai & Zechariah. Between them, we have record of 15 prophetic visions/lessons/acts. Through their ministry, Zerubbabel & Joshua set to work to rebuild God's house with the help of the prophets themselves (5:2).
Of course, the building of a large temple remained an 'issue' among Jerusalem's neighbor's. Tattenai, a local governor inquired about the project. First, he wanted who, if anyone, had given them authority to build. Second, he wanted to know the names of the men involved in the project. Upon receiving the information, Tattenai wrote a letter to King Darius while the Jews continued working on the project.
Ezra 5 gives us a copy of the correspondence between Tattenai & Darius. Tattenai's letter simply provides King Darius with the information. The project was underway. The Jews answered the question of 'authority' by declaring that they were servants of the God of heaven and earth and that King Cyrus had issued a decree allowing them to rebuild the temple. Tattenai simply asked that this claim be verified.
King Darius ordered a search and they did indeed find the scroll in question in the citadel of Ecbatana. The scroll recorded that Cyrus had decreed the rebuilding of the temple, specifically noting it's purpose, dimensions, funding, furnishings, etc. Cyrus commanded that Tattenai not interfere with the project and, in fact, called for him to assist the Jews in multiple ways (expenses to be paid out of the royal treasury).
Tattenai carried out the commands of Darius with dilegence and so the project continued to prosper along with the ministry of Haggai & Zechariah. The temple was completed on the third day of the month of Adar in the 6th year of King Darius (516bc). Thus, the 70 years of exile, since 586bc, were completed. In application of this fact, we may note that our 'exile' in this fallen world will not be complete until the temple (the body of Christ) reaches completion (maturity). See Ephesians 4:12-13.
The completion of the temple, of course, came with great celebration, joy, cleansing & commitment to the Lord. Zechariah, after this, continued to prophecy (Zechariah 9-14). There is a break, chronologically, between Ezra 6 and 7.
Of course, the building of a large temple remained an 'issue' among Jerusalem's neighbor's. Tattenai, a local governor inquired about the project. First, he wanted who, if anyone, had given them authority to build. Second, he wanted to know the names of the men involved in the project. Upon receiving the information, Tattenai wrote a letter to King Darius while the Jews continued working on the project.
Ezra 5 gives us a copy of the correspondence between Tattenai & Darius. Tattenai's letter simply provides King Darius with the information. The project was underway. The Jews answered the question of 'authority' by declaring that they were servants of the God of heaven and earth and that King Cyrus had issued a decree allowing them to rebuild the temple. Tattenai simply asked that this claim be verified.
King Darius ordered a search and they did indeed find the scroll in question in the citadel of Ecbatana. The scroll recorded that Cyrus had decreed the rebuilding of the temple, specifically noting it's purpose, dimensions, funding, furnishings, etc. Cyrus commanded that Tattenai not interfere with the project and, in fact, called for him to assist the Jews in multiple ways (expenses to be paid out of the royal treasury).
Tattenai carried out the commands of Darius with dilegence and so the project continued to prosper along with the ministry of Haggai & Zechariah. The temple was completed on the third day of the month of Adar in the 6th year of King Darius (516bc). Thus, the 70 years of exile, since 586bc, were completed. In application of this fact, we may note that our 'exile' in this fallen world will not be complete until the temple (the body of Christ) reaches completion (maturity). See Ephesians 4:12-13.
The completion of the temple, of course, came with great celebration, joy, cleansing & commitment to the Lord. Zechariah, after this, continued to prophecy (Zechariah 9-14). There is a break, chronologically, between Ezra 6 and 7.
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