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The vicissitudes through which the building of the temple was carried to its completion figure forth those of the spiritual temple of the Church. This eventful history teaches -

I. THAT GOD'S PURPOSES WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED.

1. This truth is exemplified in. the creation.

(1) A universe sprang into being in obedience to his voice (Psalm 33:9).

(2) It serves his purposes in all its complicated movement (Psalm 147:7-9, 15-18; Psalm 148.; Colossians 1:17).

2. This truth is also exemplified in prophecy.

(1) The temple was finished in accordance with prophecy (Isaiah 44:27, 28). The events which prepared the way were also pre-indicated (see also Jeremiah 50. and 51.). These are samples. The whole subject of prophecy proves that God governs the moral world by a plan.

(2) This plan must comprehend all possible contingencies that may arise from the action of free beings. There is a limit to all freedom except that of God. His absolute freedom ultimately limits all that is relative. Lesson - To attempt to resist the will of God is indeed madness.

II. THAT GOD HONOURS HIS WILLING SERVANTS.

1. He gives them an interest in his work. "They prospered," viz., in the success of God's work.

(1) They obeyed his commandment because it was his. Love to God animated their zeal.

(2) Thereby their own moral nature became ennobled.

2. He encourages them by his approving voice. "They prospered through the prophesying of Haggai," etc.

(1) His word supplies the noblest motives. To the true servant of God nothing is trifling; he does all to the glory of God. This stamps the most ordinary things with sublimity.

(2) His word gives wisdom, viz., to sustain them in his work against the prudence of the world (see Ezra 5:5). Also to answer prudently in the face of the enemy (see Ezra 5:11-15). Prophecy in Christian sanctuaries is a grand thing for business men.

3. He crowns their labours with success.

(1) There may be, there will be, vicissitudes in the way. Even in these there is real success when the signs of it are not visible.

(2) But the issue is sure. The sequel will be glorious. Lesson - Trust God when you cannot trace him.

III. GOD MAKES UNLIKELY PERSONS HIS WILLING SERVANTS.

1. Several Medo-Persian kings were such.

(1) These were worshippers of the elements. Why should they favour the worship of Jehovah, who had humiliated their idolatry by defeating their gods? The miracles of the Old Testament in general were levelled against Sabianism.

(2) Political as well as religious reasons would render it unlikely that they should favour the return of the Jews. They succeeded to the place of the Babylonish kings, and might be presumed to follow up the policy of Nebuchadnezzar.

(3) But God found means to move the heart of Cyrus. Darius also was moved by him to follow his great predecessor. This he was the more disposed to by nature of the laws of the Medes and Persians, which alter not. Artaxerxes Longimanus, in after years, rendered his service to the people of God.

2. Perhaps Tatnai was another example.

(1) He was unlikely inasmuch as he had been moved by the enemies of Israel. But he seems to have had little sympathy with their malice.

(2) The "speedy" obedience which he rendered to the decree of Darius may have been cheerful. Lesson - Let no one despair of the power of the gospel to convert unlikely sinners.

IV. THAT GOD MAKES UNWILLING PERSONS SERVE HIS PURPOSES. The "people of the land were in this category.

(1) Their opposition was undoubted. Their conduct hitherto proved this. Their enmity was transmitted to their posterity (see Nehemiah 2:9, 10, 19; Nehemiah 4:1-3; Nehemiah 6:16; John 4:9).

(2) But their opposition was overruled for good. It brought the necessities of Israel, occasioned by the neglect of the decree of Cyrus, under the notice of Darius. The enemies now had to pay and collect taxes to supply those necessities. They do this too speedily," not because they love God, but because they fear the king (see vers. 11, 12). So God "makes the wrath of man to praise him." Better we should praise him with a loyal heart. "When a man's ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." - J.A.M.

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KJV: Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.

WEB: Then Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and their companions, because that Darius the king had sent, did accordingly with all diligence.