OUR FATHER WHOSE RECIEVES THE SACRIFICES OF HIS PEOPLE AS A PLEASING FRAGRANCE

The book of Ezra chapter 6 verses 1 - 12 records the response of king Darius to the letter that was delivered to him concerning the activities of the children of Israel related to rebuilding the temple of God.  As the letter he received had proposed, he launched a search for the original orders issues by king Cyrus. 

A document was found in the province of Media that confirmed the decree of Cyrus that authorized the release of the children of Israel from captivity and their return to their homeland with all the impliments and utensils that were taken from their temple.

Upon discovering this, King Darius re-affirmed the decree by King Cyrus and permitted the children to continue with their construction work and the complete return of any of the inventory that was placed upon them.

1 Thereupon King Darius issued an order to search the archives in which the treasures were stored in Babylon. 2 However, a scroll was found in Ecbatana, the stronghold in the province of Media, containing the following text: “Memorandum. 3 In the first year of his reign, King Cyrus issued a decree: With regard to the house of God in Jerusalem: the house is to be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices and bringing burnt offerings. Its height is to be sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits. 4 It shall have three courses of cut stone for each one of timber. The costs are to be borne by the royal house. 5 Also, let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple of Jerusalem and brought to Babylon be sent back; let them be returned to their place in the temple of Jerusalem and deposited in the house of God.”

6 “Now, therefore, Tattenai, governor of West-of-Euphrates, and Shethar-bozenai, and you, their fellow officials in West-of-Euphrates, stay away from there. 7 Let the governor and the elders of the Jews continue the work on that house of God; they are to rebuild it on its former site. 8 I also issue this decree concerning your dealing with these elders of the Jews in the rebuilding of that house of God: Let these men be repaid for their expenses, in full and without delay from the royal revenue, deriving from the taxes of West-of-Euphrates, so that the work not be interrupted. 9 Whatever else is required—young bulls, rams, and lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the requirements of the priests who are in Jerusalem—let that be delivered to them day by day without fail, 10 that they may continue to offer sacrifices of pleasing odor to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons. 11 I also issue this decree: if any man alters this edict, a beam is to be taken from his house, and he is to be lifted up and impaled on it; and his house is to be reduced to rubble for this offense. 12 And may the God who causes his name to dwell there overthrow every king or people who may undertake to alter this decree or to destroy this house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, have issued this decree; let it be diligently executed.”

Amen

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