Ezra 6:13–22 (November 8th, 2025)

The Temple Finished and Dedicated

13 Then, according to the word sent by Darius the king, Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates did with all diligence what Darius the king had ordered. 14 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; 15 and this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

16 And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. 17 They offered at the dedication of this house of God 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel 12 male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. 18 And they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their divisions, for the service of God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses.

Passover Celebrated

19 On the fourteenth day of the first month, the returned exiles kept the Passover. 20 For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were clean. So they slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves. 21 It was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and also by every one who had joined them and separated himself from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to worship the Lord, the God of Israel. 22 And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

GOD RESTORES JOY TO HIS PEOPLE

Ezra 6_13-22Brian Lee

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Summary

Once King Darius’s decree reached the governors, Tattenai and his associates didn’t argue this time. They obeyed with all diligence (v. 13). The same men who once hindered the work are now helping it along. God’s providence flips the story again. Under the encouragement of Haggai and Zechariah, the elders “built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo” (v. 14).

The temple was completed in the sixth year of Darius’s reign, around 515 BC. This was seventy years after the first temple’s destruction. That timing isn’t a coincidence. It’s covenant fulfillment. What seemed like a delay was actually a divine design. When the people dedicated the house, they did it “with joy” (v. 16).

Their sacrifices tell a story. They offered 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and twelve male goats, one for each tribe of Israel (v. 17). Though only a remnant had returned, God still saw them as His whole people. The number twelve declares that God’s covenant love had not diminished. Then, as if to mark a new beginning, they kept the Passover (v. 19). The priests and Levites purified themselves. Everyone who separated themselves from “the uncleanness of the peoples of the land” joined them (v. 21). It was a picture of redemption, a new exodus for a weary people.

Who is God

God restores His Covenant people and finishes what He begins.

The book of Ezra began with rubble and ends this section with rejoicing. Let's focus on this more than on the building's completion, shall we? God's decree is great not so much because it builds a temple, but He moves our hearts. Verse 22 says, “The LORD made them joyful.” That’s it! True joy is a gift of God. The same Lord who turned Darius’s heart to favor Israel now turns His people’s hearts to worship Him.

When God restores, His focus is not so much on rebuilding walls or structures. He rebuilds our will to worship. Every completed stone in the temple is a silent testimony that God’s Word cannot fail. What He begins in promise, He completes in joy.

What is our Guilt

We often celebrate completion without consecration.

Israel could have made this day all about their "success," or their perseverance, or their teamwork, and so forth. Instead, they purified themselves before celebrating. All too often, we chase the joy of achievement but neglect the discipline of repentance.

We forget that our worship can easily turn into performance when it’s not rooted in humility. How easy it is to rebuild a temple of programs, ministries, or reputation, and forget that God desires a cleansed heart more than an impressive structure.

How does Grace Shine

Grace shines in God's proactive presence.

Verse 22 says, “The LORD had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them.”

Wait. Assyria? Darius was king of Persia! That phrase is intentional. The writer uses “Assyria” to remind us that God has even reversed the ancient instruments of judgment. The empire that once crushed Israel now protects and blesses them. That’s grace. The same grace that moved a king’s heart now turns ours from despair to delight, from exile to worship.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

You are the God who restores joy to your people. Thank you for finishing what you began, and no delay can cancel your promise.

Forgive us for chasing success more than holiness, and for rejoicing in results more than in you.

Teach us to celebrate with humble hearts and to see every act of worship as Your gift of grace. Restore our joy in Christ, the true Temple and our eternal Passover Lamb.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.