“And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia” (Ezra 6:14 ESV).
When the Jewish exiles first returned to Jerusalem they began to rebuild the Temple, but Samaritan settlers opposed the project, causing it to sit unfinished for 17 years. Then under the preaching of Haggai and Zechariah, the Jewish elders felt emboldened to begin building again. When representatives of the Persian government inquired who authorized them to rebuild, the Jewish elders told them that King Cyrus of Persia had decreed it. After reporting this back to Darius, who was in his second year as king of Persia, it was confirmed that Cyrus had indeed made the decree. Therefore, Darius not only reiterated the decree but strengthened it by ordering the work to be supported from the royal treasury. So the Jews prospered and rebuilt the Temple under Persian support.
Yet as the Word makes clear, it was God who actually decreed that the Temple be rebuilt. It was God who moved the Persian kings, Cyrus and Darius to support the work. It was God who moved the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to encourage His people to get back to work. And it was God who enabled the people to “be strong, do the work, and not to fear” (Haggai 2:4-5).
Today, the land of ancient Persia is known as Iran. And the Jews have once again returned to the land of Israel after centuries of scattered exile. Instead of support, there is great enmity between them today.
Yet they do agree on one thing. For neither modern Israel nor Iran (Persia) have recognized the One who came to the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. He is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. But one day they will recognize Him. And when that day comes, redeemed people from Persia and every nation in the world will come to Jerusalem to worship King Jesus. Persia will one day support Jerusalem again.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we pray for Your kingdom to come, Your will to be done. For You are Sovereign over all things. While the nations rage and the world trembles in fear, we will not be moved. For You are our God and we trust in You. Strengthen us to declare Your gospel to all nations until the return of Your Son. In Jesus’ name, amen.