What role did obedience play in completing the temple as described in Ezra 6:15? The verse in focus “And this temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.” (Ezra 6:15) Obedience—the unseen foundation • Long before the final stone was set, the people chose to heed “the command of the God of Israel” (Ezra 6:14). • Their submission to God’s word and to the prophetic preaching of Haggai and Zechariah (Ezra 6:14; Haggai 1:12) laid a spiritual footing stronger than any cedar beam. • The decree of a pagan king could speed construction, but only obedience to the Lord could finish it. Step-by-step obedience that led to completion 1. Listening to God’s prophets—Haggai and Zechariah called the returned exiles back to work (Haggai 1:1-8; Zechariah 4:6-9). 2. Repenting of apathy—“Then Zerubbabel… and all the remnant of the people obeyed” (Haggai 1:12). 3. Trusting divine protection—despite opposition, they kept building “according to the command of the God of Israel” (Ezra 6:14). 4. Respecting earthly authority—God used the decrees of Cyrus and Darius as channels for provision (Ezra 6:6-12). 5. Persevering until the task was done—“the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper” (Ezra 6:14), culminating in Ezra 6:15. Obedience silenced opposition • Enemies tried to halt the work (Ezra 4:4-5), yet obedience invited God’s intervention: Darius issued a fresh decree protecting the builders (Ezra 6:6-12). • Proverbs 16:7 rings true: “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Fruit borne from obedience • The temple stood complete—visible proof that “obedience is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22). • Joy and worship followed (Ezra 6:16-18). Obedience always opens the door to fuller communion with God. • The rebuilt temple became the center of Israel’s life for centuries, eventually welcoming the incarnate Christ (Malachi 3:1). Living out the lesson today • Jesus’ words echo Ezra: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15) • Each act of obedience—large or small—advances God’s building project in and through us (1 Corinthians 3:9-17). • The same Lord who honored obedience in Ezra’s day still completes what He begins when His people trust and obey (Philippians 1:6). |
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