Today’s passage: Ezra 6:1-12
Helpful thoughts:
- By God’s sovereign grace, the King of Persia confirmed the Jews’ right to build the temple back up.
- More than that: The King decreed the needed money to come not only from the Jews, but from all the people of the region (Even those who were in opposition). The king even decreed that any interference with the reconstruction would be punishable by a humiliating death.
- With his decree, Darius was desiring to gain extra favor from another god (Verse 10, Though this was the One True God), the Samaritans received the opposite of what they’d hoped for (Instead of thwarting, now they had to help!), and the Jews were given approval and provision to build the temple of God.
Questions to consider:
- In what ways is God’s sovereignty put on display in today’s passage? What happens to those who bless God’s people and to those who curse/dishonor them (Genesis 12:3)?
- How can God’s power, promises, and protection encourage you to pursue righteousness today? Is there a single human being or earthly institution who holds any power over our sovereign God?
- Why wouldn’t it be right to try to apply this passage to a desire to build a house or a business today? What has God promised to build today as His temple (1 Corinthians 3:9-17)?