Human Response 580: Build according to the Commandment

Ezra 6:14 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

Cyrus had made a decree that the Jews could return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. But they faced fierce opposition from their enemies in the land, until King Darius decreed that they should find Cyrus’ original decree in the archives. He reissued the decree and the work went on unhindered.

With the encouragement of the Word of God through the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, the Jews responded to God’s Commandment and they built and finished the temple. With the word from God through the prophets, and with God guiding the civil authorities, the Jews built and finished the work.

We are also commanded to build a worship life, a life of faith and good works, based on and motivated by prophetic words of Law and Gospel. We expect opposition from our spiritual enemies, but by faith we will still build a place for God in the heart where He always resides. We respond to God’s strong word of grace by faith in Jesus.