Yesterday, Cyrus, king of Persia, had sent the willing Israelites back to Judah to rebuild the Temple and promised funds for the fulfilling of that work. In Chapter Two of Ezra’s account, the 42,000 plus exiles arrive and shortly give an offering toward the erection. ‘In the seventh month’ the children of Israel gathered to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices on the rebuilt altar. During this celebration, they observed the Feast of Booths and kept daily offerings. But. The foundation of the Temple had not yet been laid. They again give offerings toward the rebuilding but another seven months pass before construction begins (3:8-13). Almost immediately, the non-exiled residents of the land begin opposing the work, first by asking to join in with claiming falsely to worship the same god and when that fails to slow the work, they seek to discourage the re-newers by accusing them of rebellion against the king. Cyrus had been replaced by Ahasuerus who did not know the decrees of Cyrus on behalf of the rebuilding. Ahasuerus ordered the rebuilding stopped (4:17-24).
The prophets Haggai and Zechariah spoke in the name of God and the Jewish leader and chief priest rally the peoples so the rebuilding is renewed. Again, authorities write the next King of Persia, Darius the Mede, notifying him of the Israelites’ intention and asking the king to search the records to see by what authority the building was progressing (5:17).
The Lᴏʀᴅ has quite the sense of humor. Remember, the provincial authorities are seeking work stoppage but in God’s good humor, quite the opposite is proclaimed. Darius’s decree:
Oops. They meant it for evil but God turned it for good! Darius even decrees that anyone who alters his decree will be a fatality. And, those opponents are commanded to pay all the expenses, to meet the costs out of their provincial treasuries. Didn’t see that coming. Then the Israelites expressed joy:
No matter who seems to be in charge, God can find a way to honor those who honor Him, those who pursue His purposes. And, He can restore their joy through their faithfulness to Him.