Read: Ezra 5:1-6:22; 1 Corinthians 3:5-23; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 20:26-27
The prophets Haggai and Zechariah began to prophesy to the people to complete the rebuilding of the temple. Zerubbabel responded and rose up as a leader and began the rebuilding.
The governor Tattenai and Shethar-bozenai and their group came and asked them who gave them permission to build this building. They also tried to intimidate them by asking for a list of all the men who were working on it. Zerubbabel said they would not stop until they got a letter from Darius asking them to stop. So, Tattenai sent a letter to Darius telling him that the temple to the Lord was being rebuilt and when he asked them who gave them permission to rebuild it and a list of who they were, they answered that they were servants of the God of heaven and earth. They said that Cyrus had given them a decree that it was to be rebuilt and gave them the vessels he had taken from their previous temple so they could put them in the new temple. They claimed that King Cyrus had sent Sheshbazzar to lay the foundation. The letter asked Darius for a search to be made in their archives to see if this were true or not and let them know what to do about these men who were rebuilding the temple.
A search was made and the decree was found. Darius read the dimensions of the temple to be built and how it was to be funded perpetually so that God may bless the king. Darius sent a letter back telling Tattenai to not only allow them to build it, but to fund it totally and without delay. If they didn’t it will cost them their life and the lives of their household.
Tattenai quickly obeyed the king and the house was finished on the third of Adar. The people of Israel celebrated its dedication with hundreds of sacrifices and with much joy. They began celebrating the feasts beginning with Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
When the people responded to the prophets, God could fight for them. God expects our obedience first and then he acts to protect us. He will cause even our enemies to bless us.
In Corinthians, Paul explained that the leaders they so highly regarded were just instruments of the Lord. They each had their place in helping the body. They were servants, not lords over them to be worshipped. They were to bring the people closer to the Lord, not to themselves. Jesus Christ is the foundation, not some man. Those who build their lives on the foundation of Christ will stand in the fires of judgement. We are all building the temple of God in our hearts.
Lord, may your temple stand in us. May we build upon nothing but Christ. May we receive the reward of a faithful servant and may our works remain. May our wisdom be in You alone.
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