Ezra Chapter 6

Wow!  I am constantly enthralled by the reading of the scriptures anymore.  I told you yesterday that I didn't always understand what I was reading, but lately it is just wonderful.  This is truly the best, absolutely the best, history book.

So yesterday I wrote to you about the Israelite elders asking King Darius to find the edict that was issued by King Cyrus... and Darius did make a search of the scrolls that were kept in the palace at Achmetha in the province of Media.  ( This would have been the equivalent of our courthouses). And low and behold, the scroll was found.  And this is a portion the of portion of Chapter six that is the decree....

“Let the house be rebuilt, the place where they offered sacrifices; and let the foundations of it be firmly laid, its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits, ⁴ withthree rows of heavy stones and one row of new timber. Let the expenses be paid from the king’s treasury.⁵ Also let the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple which is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and taken back to the temple which is in Jerusalem, each to its place; and deposit them in the house of God”

The decree goes on to say the the province of King Cyrus will fund the needs of the elders and will provide the animals necessary for the sacrifices....

⁶ Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the regionbeyond the River, and Shethar-Boznai, and your companions the Persians who are beyond the River, keep yourselves far from there. 

The leaders beyond the Euphrates River are not to interfere with the rebuilding.  And if you do there will be consequences....read on

⁷ Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God on its site.

⁸ Moreover I issue a decree as to what you shall do for the elders of these Jews, for the building of this house of God: Let the cost be paid at the king’s expense from taxes on the region beyond the River; this is to be given immediately to these men, so that they are not hindered. ⁹ And whatever they need—young bulls, rams, and lambs for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the request of the priests who are in Jerusalem—let it be given them day by day without fail, ¹⁰ that they may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons.

¹¹ Also I issue a decree that whoever alters this edict, let a timber be pulled from his house and erected, and let him be hanged on it; and let his house be made a refuse heap because of this. ¹² And may the God who causes His name to dwell there destroy any king or people who put their hand to alter it, or to destroy this house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius issue a decree; let it be done diligently.

I would not have wanted to stand in their way, because I would not have wanted King Darius, the current king, to penalize me for interferring with the work of rebuilding God's house.  God is definitely a God of love and His patience is not able to be measured, but do not anger Him....I don't believe God would do anything to us, but He would remove his blessings from us...I always want to have Gods blessings raining down on me....when the temple was completed, and I do not know how much time had transpired, but the Passover was celebrated for all the Jews who had left in the first exile to come back to Israel and they also  later celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread..and seven days of joy and God made His people joyful, God also made King Assyria's heart to be kind towards the Israelis, this king wanted them to succeed and to do well in their work in God's House.   

Now it is that time of the day....time for breakfast and to get ready for work...remember always that God is good...even if things are not perfect.... look to God for your strength and blessings...oh and go and be a blessing to someone...