Journal Through the Bible: Week 100 Thursday

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Ezra chapter 6

I suspect that Tatnai and Shetharboznai were sorry that they ever brought the matter of the temple building project to the attention of King Darius. Not only did the king have a search performed that vindicated the claim of Zerubbabel and Joshua that they were building at the command of the previous king, but Darius then told the governors that the men building the temple should be supplied with everything they needed, including daily sacrifices and offerings! Darius didn't stop there either. He said that anyone who interfered with the building project would have his own house torn apart and the timbers from it would be used for both the building of the temple and also for the building of the gallows on which to hang those who interfered. Evidently Darius left no confusion as to his intentions. As a result, Tatnai, Shetharboznai, and their companions obeyed speedily.

Does God issue any commands?

• Verse 14 references the command of God through Haggai and Zechariah given to Zerubbabel and Joshua to build the house!
• Verse 18 references the command of God through Moses for certain courses to be appointed to the priests and Levites.

Does God make any promises?

• God had made promises to Zerubbabel (which we read in Haggai and Zechariah) concerning the completion of the temple. Specifically, He had told them to get back to the work in spite of the opposition. The promise implicit in this was that God would take care of the opposition. God did just that!

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• The people celebrated the Passover on the 14th day of the 1st month. This feast was to be a picture in remembrance of the atoning work of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is the Lamb of God.
• The feast of unleavened bread that the people kept was a picture of the sinless Christ who would be their sacrifice for sins.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• The work of God is often hindered by those who oppose it but God often turns the work of the opposition into help as in the situation of the governors who opposed Zerubbabel. There will be many opposed to the reign of Christ on the earth but God will use such opposition to bring about His divine purposes.
• When the house was completed and dedicated the people celebrated with joy. No matter how great that celebration was it is but a mere foretaste of what is yet to come when all of the people of God are finally out of captivity, their home is prepared for them, and their "temple" (their bodies) are rebuilt (resurrected)!