In the letter of Tatnai to Darius he advised that search should be made to ascertain whether there existed any decree of Cyrus authorising the building of the temple at Jerusalem. Search was accordingly made, and the roll recovered. The decree may be viewed as consisting of three parts: -

I. THE AUTHENTICATION.

1. The author's signature. "Cyrus the king."

(1) This name calls to mind the remarkable prophecies of Isaiah, in which, a century before his time, he was surnamed (see Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1, 13).

(2) The same God that inspired the prophecy found means to bring it under the notice of the king. Cyrus accordingly accepted the Divine commission (2 Chronicles 36:23; Ezra 1:2, 3). Lesson - We should trust that providence which rules all rulers.

2. The date of the document. "In the first year of Cyrus."

(1) This date, B.C. 536, recalls the prophecy of Jeremiah, which assigned seventy years for the duration of the captivity. These were now completed.

(2) This prophecy also seems to have been brought under the notice of Cyrus (2 Chronicles 36:22; Ezra 1:1). Lesson

(a) Let us see the hand of God in everything.

(b) Nothing is too trivial to be mentioned in prayer.

3. The place of its custody

(1) Tatnai specified "the king's treasure house at Babylon"(Ezra 5:17). Probably because the decree may have been signed there. Search was made accordingly at that treasure house in the royal library, but the document was not found. The malignity of the Apharsachites would now be gratified.

(2) Further search was made at Achmetha, "in the palace that is in the province of the Medes." Here the roll was recovered. Note -

(a) God watches over the true.

(b) The triumphing of the wicked is transient.

II. THE MATTER "CONCERNING THE HOUSE OF GOD AT JERUSALEM."

1. "Let the house be builded.

(1) At Jerusalem. The place which God chose to put his name there (see 1 Kings 8:29; 2 Chronicles 7:12; Psalm 78:67, 68; Psalm 87:1, 2). God favoured particular places for his worship.

1. To serve typical purposes.

2. To keep his people from mingling with idolaters. Note - In this spiritual dispensation these reasons no longer obtain (see John 4:20-24).

(2) Where they offered sacrifices." Levitical sacrifices were restricted to the temple because the Shechinah and sacred fire were there; and this ordinance kept the people from sacrificing on high places with idolaters. For this latter reason, though the Shechinah and fire were absent from the second temple, still the ancient place of sacrificing is respected. Lesson - Every species of idolatry should be scrupulously avoided.

2. The manner in which it was to be done.

(1) "Let the foundations be strongly laid." These typified Christ, upon whom the fabric of his Church is built (see Matthew 16:16-18; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20-22). Note - We may confidently rest on him the whole weight of our eternal interests.

(2) "The height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits." This differed from Solomon's temple, first, in that it was larger; and secondly, in that it was square. Solomon's temple was thirty cubits high and sixty broad. The New Jerusalem also is foursquare (see Revelation 21:16). The cube was by the ancients regarded as a figure of perfection and universality, and, in the typical temple, may anticipate these qualities of the heavenly state of the Church.

(3) "Three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber" (see Ezra 5:8). The timber seems to have been laid upon every third course of stones. Note - This timber built in amongst the stones would facilitate that destruction of the temple by fire described by Josephus.

3. How the cost was to be defrayed.

(1) "Let the expenses be given out of the king's house" (see Ezra 3:7). Note - The hearts of princes are in God's hands. Prayer should be made to him rather than recourse be had to precarious expedients for raising funds for his work.

(2) The royal bounty was not such as to preclude the necessity for contributions from the people of God (see Ezra 1:3, 4; Ezra 2:68, 69). Note - There is valuable moral education in liberality.

III. THE MATTER CONCERNING THE SACRED VESSELS.

1. Vessels of the metals.

(1) These were taken as figures of the servants of God (see Romans 9:21-23; 2 Timothy 2:20, 21).

(2) "Of gold and silver." Showing the preciousness of the saints (see Psalm 49:7, 8; Matthew 16:26; 1 Peter 1:18, 19).

2. Removed by Nebuchadnezzar.

(1) Taken from the temple. The sin of the people was the cause. The removal of the vessels was therefore a sign to them of their apostasy.

(2) Taken to Babylon. Type of the confusion of the world. Placed there in the temple of his god (see Ezra 1:7, 8; Ezra 5:14). Thence taken out only to make sport for the licentious (see Daniel 5:2-4). What a graphic figure of the condition of the backslider!

3. Now to be restored.

(1) "Brought back again to the temple." Sign of the hope a backslider may cherish in the mercy of God.

(2) Restored "every one to his place," i.e. every one that was restored. Many things were wanting in the second temple, and some of the vessels may have been lost. Backsliders must not presume upon an infallible final perseverance of the saints. - J.A.M.

I. WHAT ARE OUR EXPENSES? The expenses referred to in the text are those connected with the return of the Jews to their own land, the rebuilding of the temple and its continual sacrifices.

1. Our release from the thraldom of sin involved enormous expenditure (1 Peter 1:18, 19).

2. The important steps of public profession of faith in Christ, and of union with His Church, need peculiar supplies of grace.

3. There is much new material to be built up in our habits and life.

4. Our bodies being temples of the Holy Ghost, every physical power and every mental faculty should be "a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet for the Master's use."

5. Our hearts are altars whereon should be offered the sacrifices of worship and praise.

II. WHERE SHALL WE FIND MEANS TO MEET THESE EXPENSES?

1. The Word of God's truth.

2. The throne of His grace.

3. The fellowship of His people.

4. The dispensation of His providence.

5. The opposition of His foes.The Persian monarch was naturally Israel's enemy, yet God arranges that he shall pay Israel's expenses. Even the lions we may meet shall supply sweet honey for our nourishment and refreshment.

6. The work of Christ (Philippians 4:19).

III. HOW SHALL WE ACT IN THE PRESENCE OF SUCH ABUNDANCE?

1. We need not be afraid of exhausting Heaven's treasures.

2. We dare not be slow in availing ourselves of these supplies.

3. We cannot help wondering at the goodness of the King.

4. We will not forget to express our gratitude to the King.

5. We must not be so selfish as to hide these glad tidings.

(R. S. Latimer.)