The king thus appealed to ordered the search to be made, and the decree of Cyrus was found. (6: 1-5) The statement of the Jews was thus confirmed in every particular, and even more; for it was now discovered that Cyrus had not only issued hit decree for the rebuilding of the temple, but had also ordered “the expenses to be given out of the king’s house,” as well as directed the restoration of the sacred vessels which Nebuchadnezzar had taken away. Acting then upon this decree, Darius commanded Tatnai, Shetharboznai, and their companions to cease to molest the Jews, and to allow them to continue their work in peace. God was manifestly to faith working behind the scenes, and using the power of the enemy for the accomplishment of His own purposes; affording another instance of how He causes all things to work together for good to them that love Him. For not only did Darius, on the interposition of their adversaries, confirm the decree of Cyrus, but he also issued another to the effect that all the necessary provision for the house of God should be made at his expense. He says, “Moreover, I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews, for the building of this house of God: that, of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered. And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt-offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail: that they may offer sacrifices of sweet savors unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.” (6: 8-10)
When a man’s ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him (Proverbs 16:7); and when found, therefore, in the path of His will, he may safely leave his enemies in the Lord’s hands. So, these elders of the Jews discovered, and they might have learned the lesson often taught in the word of God, and ever needed by His people, “They that be with us are more than they that be with them.”
Thus, God Himself was the shield of His people while engaged in His service; and as long as they were obedient to His word, and counting upon Him for strength and defense, it was not possible for them to be hindered. In this way Satan once more overreached himself, and was used to further the work that he so hated; just as the apostle wrote in after centuries, “I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:12) When Satan succeeded in shutting Paul up in prison, he thought he had gained a victory, even as he did in the most notable case of all, when he urged the Jews to demand the crucifixion of their Messiah; but in both instances his apparent success was a most disastrous defeat. We may well, therefore, whatever the opposition or persecution, go calmly forward, courageous in perseverance, because it is the Lord’s work on which we are engaged, and He has said, “Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the ages.”
Darius went still further. He added, “Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and, being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this. And the God, that hath caused His name to dwell there, destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.” (vv. 11, 12) The king thus surrounded the Jews with his authority, and guarded them against further molestation by attaching the penalty of death to interference with their work. And from the language employed, it can scarcely be doubted that Darius had himself some knowledge of “the God of heaven,” for he speaks of Him as causing “ His name to dwell there.” Be this as it may, God disposed his heart in favor of His people and of the work of building His house. The effect of the decree was instantaneous, for we read that Tatnai and his companions “did speedily” according to that which Darius had sent, and forthwith all opposition ceased, and the enemies of the work disappeared from the scene.
Not only had the opposition to the work of the house of God now ceased; but God, in His care for His people, and in response to their faith, had also turned the heart of the king toward them; so that his royal power had now become their shelter and defense. Hence we read: “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. And this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.” (vv. 14, 15)
Before entering upon the particulars of this statement, we may recall to the minds of our readers a striking parallel from the history of building the house of God in the New Testament. In connection with the death of Stephen, there arose “a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.” Soon after, on the visit of Saul, after his conversion (we say after his conversion, in fact several years had elapsed (see Galatians 1); but we speak of the order of the narrative), to Jerusalem, opposition was once more aroused, and the Grecians went about to slay Saul; and the brethren sent him forth to Tarsus. (Acts 9:29,30) The statement follows: “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified (built up); and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.” (Acts 9:31) God had given them rest from persecuting enemies, and they, by His grace, used the opportunity to build themselves upon their most holy faith. So was it with the elders of the Jews. They builded, and they were encouraged by the comfort of the Holy Ghost as ministered by the prophets.
It is of importance to notice these two classes—the builders and the prophets. As pointed out, when expounding Haggai, these two characters of service can never be confounded. A builder cannot assume the functions of a prophet, nor could a prophet exchange his prophetic mantle for the trowel of the builder. Hence the apostle says, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of the faith; or ministry (service), let us wait on our ministering” (service). (Romans 12:6,7) A builder is one whose work it is to lay stones upon the foundation; one, that is, who is used of God, by preaching or teaching, to gather souls, to bring them as living stones to the foundation which is Jesus Christ. (See 1 Corinthians 3) A prophet is one who both urges the people forward in their work by the communication of the mind of God, and who also tests everything by His word. A prophet sets the conscience in the presence of God, maintains, therefore, the sense of responsibility, and ministers guidance, rebuke, or exhortation according to the need of the moment, speaking as he is moved by the Holy Ghost—now, of course, through the written Word, but guided of the Spirit to the word suited to the case.
Thus, the elders of Israel labored, and the prophets prophesied; and it is also recorded that “they prospered through the prophesying,” etc. The reason is evident. The Holy Spirit was acting in power, first through the prophets, and, secondly, in producing a response to the word of God, as ministered by the prophets, in the hearts of the builders. All through the history of the kingdom the nation prospered when they heeded the voice of their prophets; and, on the other hand, every evil consequence flowed from disregard of these heaven—sent admonitions and warnings. Nor is it different in the church of God. Whenever “the builders” are attentive to the prophets who unfold and apply the mind of God as revealed in His word, they prosper, their work is durable, and they themselves receive blessing. But if they are careless of divine guidance and monition, and work after their own thoughts, they do but corrupt the work upon which they are engaged, and introduce wood, hay, and stubble in the place of gold, silver, and precious stones. Their work may seem greater, and even more prosperous, to the eye of man; but it remains to be tested at a future day, and the Lord alone is the judge of true prosperity of service.
There was now no further interruption, for they continued their work until they had finished it; and, as the Spirit of God carefully notes, it was finished “according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment (or decree) of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.” All was done, therefore, in obedience to God, and by the permission of the earthly power to which, by God’s appointment, they were in subjection. Blessed privilege for these workmen so to have labored, and no small honor, it may be added, for these Gentile monarchs thus to be associated with and to be used for the execution of the purposes of God! No doubt—and the lesson ought not to be passed over—the names of the kings are thus mentioned to show, for one reason, the value God attaches to the principle of obedience to constituted authority. The only limit, as before pointed out, is where the “powers that be” intrude their claims into the province in which God is supreme. The moment human authority clashes with the claims of God over the soul it becomes null and void. With this exception (Acts 4:19) the believer has ever to submit to the powers that are ordained of God. (Romans 13)
Then the date is added on which the house was completed. It was on the third day of the month of Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. That is, there were four years occupied from the recommencement of the building until its completion. (Chapter 4:24) How many years had passed away since the foundation was laid cannot be exactly ascertained, inasmuch as the length of the reign of the sovereigns between Cyrus and Darius is not given. It could scarcely have been less, and was probably more, than twenty years. With what long-suffering and patience God had borne with the failures of His people. And now that His purpose is accomplished, and the house builded, with what delight He calls our attention to the labors of His people. Although all had been wrought by His grace, in that same grace He reckons to His people that which He Himself had wrought. And so, it ever has been, and will be, as the judgment-seat of Christ will abundantly testify. For if any of us receive for the good things we have done through the body, we shall confess to His praise that He Himself was the source and the power of every such good work which He has been pleased to commend.