Question 1

What is happening in this passage about King Darius and the temple?

Accepted Answer

In this passage, King Darius responds to a complaint about the Jews rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. He orders a search of the royal records and finds an old decree from King Cyrus that had allowed and directed the rebuilding of the temple. After confirming this, Darius issues his own decree. He tells the local officials to stop interfering, commands that the temple be finished, and orders that the costs be paid from royal taxes. He also provides animals and supplies for daily sacrifices and asks the Jews to pray for him and his sons.

Question 2

Why did Darius order a search for Cyrus’s decree about the temple?

Accepted Answer

Darius ordered a search because local officials had questioned whether the Jews really had royal permission to rebuild the temple. Instead of just siding with the opposition, Darius wanted to know the truth. The search in the royal record houses led to finding Cyrus’s original decree in Achmetha. This showed that the rebuilding had been officially allowed from the start. It also shows how God can guide events so that what was written years before still shapes what happens later, even through a different king.

Question 3

What did Cyrus’s original decree say about rebuilding the temple?

Accepted Answer

Cyrus’s decree said that the house of God in Jerusalem should be rebuilt as the place where sacrifices were offered. It mentioned strong foundations and gave the height and width of the building. It also spoke of using large stones and new timber. Cyrus ordered that the expenses for the work be paid from the royal treasury. He further commanded that the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple be returned, each one to its place, and put back in the house of God at Jerusalem.

Question 4

How did Darius support the Jews who were rebuilding the temple?

Accepted Answer

Darius did more than just allow the work. He firmly told Tatnai and the other officials to stay away and not hinder the building. He ordered that money for the project should come from the king’s goods, from the taxes collected in that region, so the builders would not be stopped for lack of funds. He also required that the Jews be given animals, wheat, salt, wine, and oil every day as needed for burnt offerings. His decree turned former pressure into real help, so that God’s house could be finished and worship restored.

Question 5

Why did Darius ask the Jews to pray for him and his sons?

Accepted Answer

Darius recognized that the God worshiped in Jerusalem is “the God of heaven.” By providing for sacrifices, he wanted the priests to offer them and to pray for his life and the lives of his sons. He seems to have understood that this people was known for calling on their God and that their prayers mattered. This shows that even a foreign king could see the value of prayer. It also reminds believers today to pray for those in authority, especially when those leaders allow God’s work to go forward or even support it.

Question 6

What does this passage teach about God’s control over kings and governments?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God can turn the hearts of kings in favor of His purposes. Darius was not an Israelite, yet he searched the records, honored the earlier decree, protected the builders, and funded the worship of the God of heaven. He even pronounced a curse on anyone who tried to stop the work. Those who first appealed to him hoped he would shut the project down, but God used the situation to strengthen it instead. It reminds us that God rules over rulers and can use even unbelieving authorities for the good of His people.

Question 7

Why were there strict punishments for anyone who altered Darius’s decree?

Accepted Answer

Darius added a strong warning so that no one would dare to undo or ignore his command. He said that if anyone altered his word, wood should be pulled from that person’s own house, that he would be hanged on it, and his house turned into a heap of ruins. He then called on God to destroy any king or people who tried to harm the temple. This shows how serious he was about protecting the rebuilding and the worship there. It also underlines the honor he gave to God’s house and the danger of fighting against what God had ordered.

Question 8

What does this passage show about worship and sacrifice in the restored temple?

Accepted Answer

The passage makes clear that the point of rebuilding was not just a building, but worship. Darius orders that young bulls, rams, lambs, wheat, salt, wine, and oil be provided every day, just as the priests at Jerusalem requested. These were needed for burnt offerings and other sacrifices described as “sweet savours” to the God of heaven. The daily supply meant that worship would be regular and not interrupted by lack of resources. It shows that God cares that His people are able to worship Him properly and that He even uses earthly rulers to make that possible.

Question 9

How can this passage about Darius and the temple encourage believers today?

Accepted Answer

This passage can encourage believers by showing that God is at work even when His people seem weak or opposed. The Jews were facing resistance, but God moved a powerful king to protect and provide for them. What was meant to stop the work ended up supporting it. It reminds us that God’s plans are not easily blocked and that He can use surprising people and channels to carry out His purposes. When believers face obstacles while obeying God, they can trust that He still guides events and can turn situations around in ways no one expected.

Ezra 6:1

Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.

The Decree of Darius

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Ezra 6:1

Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.

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The Decree of Darius

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