After significant opposition, the temple rebuilding program finally begins. Opposition should always be expected when there is a resolved spiritual zeal to build God’s house.
Ezra 5: Rebuilding Begins Anew
1 Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them.
2 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.
3 At the same time Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and their associates came to them and spoke to them thus: "Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?"
4 They also asked them this: "What are the names of the men who are building this building?"
5 But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until the report should reach Darius and then an answer be returned by letter concerning it.
Tattenai's Letter to King Darius
6 This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and his associates, the governors who were in the province Beyond the River, sent to Darius the king.
7 They sent him a report, in which was written as follows: "To Darius the king, all peace.
8 Be it known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built with huge stones, and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on diligently and prospers in their hands.
9 Then we asked those elders and spoke to them thus: 'Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?'
10 We also asked them their names, for your information, that we might write down the names of their leaders.
11 And this was their reply to us: 'We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the house that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished.
12 But because our fathers had angered the God of heaven, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house and carried away the people to Babylonia.
13 However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree that this house of God should be rebuilt.
14 And the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple that was in Jerusalem and brought into the temple of Babylon, these Cyrus the king took out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
15 and he said to him, "Take these vessels, go and put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its site."
16 Then this Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and from that time until now it has been in building, and it is not yet finished.'
17 Therefore, if it seems good to the king, let search be made in the royal archives there in Babylon, to see whether a decree was issued by Cyrus the king for the rebuilding of this house of God in Jerusalem. And let the king send us his pleasure in this matter."
Ezra 6: The Decree of Darius
1 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in Babylonia, in the house of the archives where the documents were stored.
2 And in Ecbatana, the capital that is in the province of Media, a scroll was found on which this was written: "A record.
3 In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king issued a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices were offered, and let its foundations be retained. Its height shall be sixty cubits and its breadth sixty cubits,
4 with three layers of great stones and one layer of timber. Let the cost be paid from the royal treasury.
5 And also let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought back to the temple that is in Jerusalem, each to its place. You shall put them in the house of God."
6 "Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and your associates the governors who are in the province Beyond the River, keep away.
7 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.
8 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 men in full and without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province from Beyond the River.
9 And whatever is needed---bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests at Jerusalem require---let that be given to them day by day without fail,
10 that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons.
11 Also I make a decree that if anyone alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of his house, and he shall be impaled on it, and his house shall be made a dunghill.
12 May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who shall put out a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God that is in Jerusalem. I Darius make a decree; let it be done with all diligence."
The Temple Finished and Dedicated
13 Then, according to the word sent by Darius the king, Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates did with all diligence what Darius the king had ordered.
14 And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia;
15 and this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
16 And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.
17 They offered at the dedication of this house of God 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel 12 male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
18 And they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their divisions, for the service of God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses.
Passover Celebrated
19 On the fourteenth day of the first month, the returned exiles kept the Passover.
20 For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were clean. So they slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves.
21 It was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and also by everyone who had joined them and separated himself from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to worship the LORD, the God of Israel.
22 And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the LORD had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
Things to think about…
1. Work continues on the temple after Haggai and Zechariah began their ministries. The second temple is often called Zerubbabel’s temple, Ez 5:2 and the work restarts in 520BC. The governor of Judea, Tattenai does not want to offend Persia and hence sends a letter to see if Cyrus gave the initial decree to rebuild to confirm that he didn’t have a fraud letter from the Jews. The laws of the Medes and Persians could not be changed. Once a decree was made, it could not be reversed. None knew that more than king Darius who was presently on the throne. Darius had been blessed by the prophet Daniel and word was being sought from him regarding the initial decree by Cyrus to build the temple. We don’t have the background story but it is likely Daniel’s witness to Darius was also an influence on the building of the temple at Jerusalem. Remember Daniel was accused of going against the Persian laws by praying 3 times towards Jerusalem as was instructed by Solomon’s prayer when they went into exile for rebellion 1Kings 8. Jerusalem and the temple were very much on the heart of Daniel and one cannot help to think that Daniel would have discussed these matters with Darius. The one who was delivered from the mouth of lions would also deliver from the detractors of the those who were re-building the temple.
2. In Ez 6:1-12 a search of the royal documents was completed and confirmed Cyrus’ decree. The building program had stopped for 16 years. One wonders why a document search of Cyrus’ decree wasn’t done when Artexerxes was on the throne. Here we see the building dimensions are given, Ez 6:3, 4. More than this, the cost of re-building was to be covered from royal Persian revenue, Ez 6:8, plus whatever else was needed, even supplying animals for sacrifices , vss 9, 10. Have a look at the punishment the king asks for in vs 12 regarding anyone who destroys the house. Has this been fulfilled? Does it have any significance for any future temple in Jerusalem? I believe it does (Herod’s temple and the words of Jesus). What are your thoughts on other future temples that the enemies of God try to destroy (cf Rev 20)? The Lord Jesus will build His house, it will be one of prayer and praise.
3. The exact day and year are given in Ez 6:15 for the temple completion date. We can be sure it was finished in the year 516BC – the sixth year of the reign of Darius. Even though the numbers of bulls, rams and lambs was insignificant compared to that of Solomon’s temple dedication of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep, 1Kings 8:63. It was still blessed with celebration. We do not despise the day of small mercies. What small mustard seed beginning has the Lord blessed in your life? May He do it again.
4. After the Levites were set apart and the temple is finished, the Passover is kept, Ez 6:19-22. Note again that it wasn’t just the Israelites that were celebrating, but “everyone who had joined them and separated himself", vs 21. This included the Gentiles. Here we see the grace of the Lord being extended to other nations. They also praise God for secular help in achieving the result. We should not only pray for our leaders, but also ask that the Lord’s favour be upon them to support the church in any way they can.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sermon:-“Behold the Nazarite” – Num 6:1-21
a. Jay shared a bit about his weirdness on Sunday with his sucrose intolerance. We are all weird/different to others in some way. What is weird/different about you?
b. The Nazarite vow could be taken by a male or a female, what are some of the things that were required of them? What was the purpose of the Nazarite and their vow?
c. As Christians we stand out more and more in our society due to our values and belief system. What are the ways that we stand out as modern day Nazarites. Samson was a Nazarite and he fell to worldly passions and it cost him dearly. What does it cost the Christian when we fall morally or get dragged back into the world?
d. Pray for our witness with our friends, workmates, family and neighbours who are outside of Christ. Would they come to a Community Day – June 24th Saturday @ Church.
Prayer Points
1. Continue to pray and Andy in Ipswich hospital and for Sally as she continues to battle Alzheimer’s. Give thanks for a loving husband and example of Christ – Richard.
2. The two young people that broke into our church early Friday morning. It was the same ones that broke in 10 weeks ago. A police report with video evidence has been submitted.
3. That those who are new to the church are encouraged and settle in well into the church.
4. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you saved.
5. Pray for Kids@church and our Youth group.
6. Pray for Chuwar Youth and Jarrod’s ministry. Pray as he meets with youth at Westside, this week as well as the growing young adults ministry.
7. How you can serve in ministry this year.
8. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Leaders meeting on Saturday thankyou to all those involved – Especially Shaun and Erika Newberry for their amazing hospitality.
2. Young adult’s ministry is growing – keep praying as Jarrod develops this ministry.
3. Kids@Church and Youth ministries are a great blessing. Pray for Rosie and Jarrod as they start out for term 2.
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Mother’s Day High Tea. Sat 13th May 10am Church. Speaker and pampering, 13th May RSVP Suzanne 1/5/2023. Ph:- 0418 889 683.
2. Church information session 28th May after the morning service.
3. Remember to check your duty rosters for term 2.
4. Community Day Saturday 24th June at Church. More details to follow.
5. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
6. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for May...
Q. 8. Who are they? A. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Bible References – Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2; Jude 20-21.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
