Main Idea: God’s work receives God’s blessing.
A Look at the Text:
Yesterday, the text left off with a cliffhanger. The Persian governor had sent a letter to the king to see if the exiles’ response was truthful. Had Cyrus really issued a decree that they could rebuild?
When the letter arrived, the archives were searched, and a scroll was found (Ezra 6:2). The scroll contained Cyrus’ decree that the house of God at Jerusalem be rebuilt, that the royal treasury would pay for it, and also that the gold and silver vessels Nebuchadnezzar plundered should be returned (Ezra 6:3-5).
In response, the new king issued a message that the work must be left alone and not opposed (Ezra 6:7). Moreover, they were going to pay for it (Ezra 6:8). They would also give them any resources and animals they needed for sacrifices (Ezra 6:9), desiring that the Jews pray to the God of Heaven for the king of Persia and his sons (Ezra 6:10).
Furthermore, he issued a new decree that his present word could not be changed. If anyone would try to alter his permission for the rebuilding of the temple, they would be impaled on a beam from their own home (Ezra 6:11).
In light of the good news, the work continued to prosper, and they finished the temple (Ezra 6:14). Afterward, there was great celebration (Ezra 6:16), and a monumental keeping of the Passover (Ezra 6:19).
The same God who had rescued Israel through the great exodus from Egyptian slavery had now, in a second exodus, brought the people back from the land of captivity.
Bringing it Home:
The story of the temple’s rebuilding reminds us that God’s purposes will stand and that if something is decreed by God, it will come to pass, regardless of men’s decrees. Here, what began as opposition ended as blessing. What looked like it would stop the work actually ended up funding it.
Let us take heart today that the plans of the God of heaven and earth aren’t foilable. Even if His work be opposed, it cannot be stopped. If we are working for Him and doing what He has ordained, then certainly we can be assured of His support and blessing.
He will bring His plans to pass, and if God be for us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8:31).
Challenge:
Am I ever anxious about a work that God holds perfectly in His hands?