Ezra 6:1-5 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

The decree of Cyrus.

In the letter of Tatnai to Darius he advised that search should be made to ascertain whether there existed any decree of Cyrus authorising the building of the temple at Jerusalem. Search was accordingly made, and the roll recovered. The decree may be viewed as consisting of three parts:—

I. THE AUTHENTICATION .

1. The author ' s signature. "Cyrus the king."

2. The date of the document. "In the first year of Cyrus."

Lesson

(a) Let us see the hand of God in everything.

(b) Nothing is too trivial to be mentioned in prayer.

3. The place of its custody

(a) God watches over the true.

(b) The triumphing of the wicked is transient.

II. THE MATTER " CONCERNING THE HOUSE OF GOD AT JERUSALEM ."

1. " Let the house be builded. "

1. To serve typical purposes.

2. To keep his people from mingling with idolaters. Note—In this spiritual dispensation these reasons no longer obtain (see John 4:20-24 ).

2. The manner in which it was to be done.

3. How the cost was to be defrayed.

III. THE MATTER CONCERNING THE SACRED VESSELS .

1. Vessels of the metals.

2. Removed by Nebuchadnezzar.

3. Now to be restored.