Main Highlights
Darius confirms Cyrus's decree, orders the temple to be rebuilt, and commands the local officials to provide resources for the work and sacrifices. The temple is completed and dedicated, and the Passover is celebrated.
Key Verses
Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in Babylonia, in the house of the archives where the documents were stored."- Ezra 6:1
"And he sent a decree: 'Let the work on this house of God in Jerusalem alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site.'"- Ezra 6:7
"And whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, or sheep—for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests at Jerusalem require, let it be given to them day by day without fail, that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons."- Ezra 6:9-10
"So 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; and they finished this house on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king."- Ezra 6:14-15
"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."- Ezra 6:16
"For the returned exiles celebrated the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month."- Ezra 6:19
Related Scripture
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?"- Romans 8:32
Scholar Insight
"Ezra 6 demonstrates God's sovereignty over earthly rulers. Darius, initially an investigator, becomes a facilitator of God's plan. The completion and dedication of the temple mark a significant milestone in the restoration of God's people." – F. Charles Fensham, The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah (New International Commentary on the Old Testament)"
Theological Analysis
What we learn about God
God is sovereign over kings and kingdoms. He can use them to accomplish his purposes. "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will." (Proverbs 21:1)
Christological Connection
The completed and dedicated temple is a foreshadowing of Jesus, the ultimate temple, in whom God dwells with his people. Also, the Passover celebration anticipates the ultimate Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ.
Systematic Theology
Eschatology: The completion of the temple is a picture of the future restoration and completion of God's kingdom.
Law & Grace
Darius's confirmation of Cyrus's decree demonstrates the intersection of law and grace. God's grace initiated the rebuilding, and Darius's decree provided the legal framework for its completion. The legal confirmation enabled the fulfillment of the gracious decree.
Personal Application
We should celebrate God's faithfulness and dedicate ourselves to his purposes, knowing that he will provide what we need to accomplish his will. "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)