What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "The decree of Darius and its consequences in Ezra 6"
Answer
The decree of Darius originated after Persian officials questioned the authorization for the temple construction, and Darius consequently had the original decree of Cyrus searched for. When Darius found the document, he issued his own decree, which not only authorized the construction but also covered the costs from the royal treasury and required the opponents to support it. Thus God turned a seeming threat into a glorious victory, paving the way for the completion of the temple.
Darius finds the decree of Cyrus and authorizes the construction
»Darius searched for this decree and found it; then he instructed those who had made the request to allow the rebuilding of the temple to continue. “Let the work on this house of God proceed unhindered,” he commanded; “let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God on its site.”«
Punishments for alterations and divine protection
»The king also decreed that severe punishments should be imposed on anyone who would alter the decree in any way; and he concluded with the remarkable statement: “The God who has placed His name there shall destroy all kings and peoples who lay their hand on changing or destroying this house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, have issued a decree; it shall be carried out promptly.” Thus the Lord prepared the way for the completion of the temple.«
The decree goes beyond that of Cyrus
»Here God's goodness and mercy are displayed. What seemed to humans as a defeat was turned into a glorious victory. Darius issued a decree that contained everything that was in the decree of Cyrus, and more. Tatnai and the men who had lodged a complaint were instructed to advance the work in Jerusalem by contributing their own money to cover the costs.«
From the request to the royal decree
»The officials were so wisely instructed that they decided to write a letter to Darius Hystaspes, the then ruler of Media-Persia, and bring to his attention the original decree of Cyrus, which commanded the rebuilding of the house of God in Jerusalem and that the costs be covered from the royal treasury.«
God's work behind the scenes
»However, as they proceeded in faith, the Lord moved the heart of the Persian king to help them. Men of the world, enemies of the Jews, openly complained to the king, but this did not hinder the work; rather it prompted a search of the royal archives, which uncovered the decree of Cyrus. Then Darius, instead of rebuking the Jews, issued a decree that the work should proceed, and also commanded that the construction be funded with money from the royal treasury.«
- Decree of Cyrus and temple construction Jerusalem
- Haggai and Zechariah temple rebuilding
- Tatnai and the opposition to the temple construction
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
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