Wonderful works of God

The Decree of Darius

1 King Darius then issued an order, and they searched in the archives stored in the treasury at Babylon. 2 A scroll was found in the citadel of Ecbatana in the province of Media, and this was written on it:
Memorandum:

3 In the first year of King Cyrus, the king issued a decree concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem:
Let the temple be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices, and let its foundations be laid. It is to be ninety feet [a] high and ninety feet wide, 4 with three courses of large stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid by the royal treasury. 5 Also, the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, are to be returned to their places in the temple in Jerusalem; they are to be deposited in the house of God.

6 Now then, Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and you, their fellow officials of that province, stay away from there. 7 Do not interfere with the work on this temple of God. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its site.

8 Moreover, I hereby decree what you are to do for these elders of the Jews in the construction of this house of God:
The expenses of these men are to be fully paid out of the royal treasury, from the revenues of Trans-Euphrates, so that the work will not stop. 9 Whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, male lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, and wheat, salt, wine and oil, as requested by the priests in Jerusalem—must be given them daily without fail, 10 so that they may offer sacrifices pleasing to the God of heaven and pray for the well-being of the king and his sons.

11 Furthermore, I decree that if anyone changes this edict, a beam is to be pulled from his house and he is to be lifted up and impaled on it. And for this crime his house is to be made a pile of rubble. 12 May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple in Jerusalem.
I Darius have decreed it. Let it be carried out with diligence.

I. Core Message

Content:

1) A scroll being decreed by King Cyrus was found. (v1-2)

2) The content of the scroll. (v3-5)

3) King Darius responded to the officials of Shethar-Bozenai: do not interfere with the work on the temple. (v6-7)

4) King Darius decreed: help these elders of the Jews in the construction with full attempt (v6-9)

5) King Darius wished that blessings will come after the construction (v10)

6) King Darius degree: Anyone violent the rule will be punished (v11-12)



Theme: Wonderful works of God

II. Who are God, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit?

God who do wonders
God, the ruler (v9-10)
God who listens to the prayers (v10)
God who is worthy for the worships (v10)
God who bless (v10)

III. What does the passage teach us (about commands, promises, examples, exhortations, and warnings?)



Unexpected result -I
The officials of Shethar-Bozenai accused Jews in front of King Darius in order to stop the reconstruction of the temple. However, the result was opposite to what they expected. Through their report, the reconstruction of the temple become legal, and Jews received full supports and resources from the King and the country. We could see from the story that the officials became interceder from accuser. Even though they were not willing to help, there was nothing they could do because they always had to follow the scroll. From this event, we can see that our God does wonders, and he is amazing.

Unexpected Result- II
On the other hand, God’s people did not expect for this great result either. However, what drove to this outcome? According to chapter five, in Ezra’s mind, non of the kings was the one who decreed to build the temple, he believed that God is the one who do so. Kings were just instruments God used. More surprisingly, God used a lost scroll found in foreigner’s archives to stop the voice of people who was against to the reconstruction of the temple. God also used the scroll to help Jews win the full support from the king. By using the scroll, things had been totally changed. Things went exactly like how God had planned. God was, is and will be the ruler. His mind is above all. God’s wonders are often beyond our imagination. He is an amazing true God, and the only one we can rely on.

Reflection: Have I ever experience God’s wonders in my life?

God’s Wonders
God is mighty and amazing. His ability is beyond our imagination. From this incident, we could see that things that look impossible from human perspective are accomplished by God.

Allowing reconstruction: 6 Now then, Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and you, their fellow officials of that province, stay away from there. 7 Do not interfere with the work on this temple of God. (v6-7a)
Reconstruction at the original site: Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its site. (v7b)
Support of human resource: Moreover, I hereby decree what you are to do for these elders of the Jews in the construction of this house of God (v8a)
Financial support: The expenses of these men are to be fully paid out of the royal treasury, from the revenues of Trans-Euphrates, so that the work will not stop. (v8b)
Support of offerings: 9 Whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, male lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, and wheat, salt, wine and oil, as requested by the priests in Jerusalem—must be given them daily without fail (v9)
Decree that everyone has to obey: 11 Furthermore, I decree that if anyone changes this edict, a beam is to be pulled from his house and he is to be lifted up and impaled on it. And for this crime his house is to be made a pile of rubble. (v11) 12 May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple in Jerusalem. (v12) From this event, we could see that God is everlasting and is almighty, and he rules everything in the world, even our heart. Therefore, people who worship have no need to worry. God will help us overcome all difficulties and offer all support if things we do please him. Therefore, the most important things the worshiper should do are: listen and follow his heart humbly and act accordingly. And God will take care the rest for us.
Reflection: How do I behave? Do I do all things with my own effort? Or I seek for God’s mind and follow humbly and ask for his present?

Being glory and honor
God’s people- the Jew, were being oppressed in the past, but now they are being treated with high respect. At this moment, they must feel that how glory and honor it is to be God’s people.

Reflection: Do I feel glory and honor of being Christian (God’s people)? Do I feel ashamed to tell others that I am Christian?

Becoming the servant of God
God is the ruler of all. He can use anyone as his instrument to complete his work. In this event, people who please him, who follow his heart, who help him complete his plan, who are influential are mostly foreigners, including King Darius and the officials of Shethar-Bozenai. They become God’s instrument. Therefore, they become God’s servants who come along to complete God’s plan

Reflection: Does my mind reflect God’s mind? Does what I do accomplish God’s plan?