God Turns the King's Heart

The adversaries' letter backfired. When Darius searched the archives, the scroll found at Achmetha confirmed everything the Jews had said. Cyrus had decreed the rebuilding, set its measurements, ordered the costs paid from the royal treasury, and commanded that the vessels be returned to their place in God's house.

Darius went further than permission. He told Tattenai to keep away, ordered the costs paid from the tribute of the province beyond the River, and supplied what the priests needed for daily offerings. He even asked for their prayers for himself and his sons. The officials obeyed with diligence.

With the prophets' encouragement, the elders finished the house in the sixth year of Darius. The dedication included many offerings and twelve male goats as a sin offering for all Israel, one for each tribe. The priests and Levites were set in their divisions as written in the book of Moses. At Passover, those who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the nations joined to seek Yahweh. Ezra explains that Yahweh had made them joyful and turned the heart of the king to strengthen their hands in the work of God's house.