Ezra 6:1-15
After Israel’s enemies wrote to Darius of the progress in rebuilding the temple, he searched the records of Babylon regarding Cyrus decree. When found, they discovered not only did they have permission, but the cost of rebuilding was to be funded from the royal treasury. “Also the gold and silver utensils of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, are to be returned and brought to their places in the temple in Jerusalem; and you shall put them in the house of God.” (5) Beyond this, Darius commanded their enemies to leave them alone and to fund the very work they opposed. Also, they were to provide whatever the priests needed to offer the daily worship: “…so that they may offer acceptable sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the lives of the king and his sons.” (10). If they rejected his command, a timber was to be pulled from their house and they would be impaled on it. Consequently opposition ceased, the supplies they needed were provided, and the elders were successful: “And the elders of the Jews were successful in building through the prophecy of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo….” (14a). When focus was turned from what men [their enemies] were saying and doing to what God was saying, not only were they encouraged, but they gained favor in the very world from which rose opposition. A wrong focus causes all progress to stop, but a focus on what God says, brings success.