Ezra 6:6 Commentary and Bible Study

Darius now gets very insistent and very stern in his tone. Quite clearly he has detected the drift of the letter from Tatnai, and the scornful attitude that lies behind it. He realises that the Samaritans are just waiting for the slightest encouragement from him and then they will pounce on Jerusalem. He is therefore particularly clear that they are to do no such thing. The opposite is the case: he gives them a warning that they are not interfere, but to leave the work well alone. Tatnai must have been shocked at the tone of the letter; it was so contrary to what he expected. God sometimes gives such shocks to the wicked to show them what lies in wait for them on the Day of Judgment – ‘which is to them an evident token of perdition’ (Philippians 1:28). Far from getting what they want, the Samaritans find that their letter has had the opposite effect and their subtlety has backfired, their position has been further disadvantaged, and they have had their knuckles wrapped by the highest authority in the land. They have drawn down his disapproval on them by their attempt to hurt God’s people. So they are compelled to comply with a number of measures, and these have the highest authority for they come in the form of decrees by the emperor. If they do not assist with the work, they will be punished most severely and their lives will even be forfeit. God’s judgment on them is that they will be humiliated for their evil intentions. Darius seems to know how little they can be trusted, and so be underscores his ruling with a warning that he has also decreed that, if they make any attempt to get around what he has said and alter his words, the most severe measures will be taken against them. God’s people are vindicated. Why did he make this ruling? Because whether it was real or merely superstitious, he has a fear of God. For this reason he asks that sacrifices be offered to the God of heaven and prayers be made ‘for the life of the king, and of his sons’ (verse 10). Matthew Henry says, ‘It is the duty of God’s people to pray for those who are in authority over them … and it is the wisdom of princes to desire their prayers.’The building work therefore continues, and Ezra records the help and encouragement given by Haggai and Zechariah as recorded in their prophecies (verse 14). Eventually the temple is finished and there is great celebration. Darius even insists that they are given certain of the tax money, their own tax money, tribute money obtained from the Jews in Babylon, in order to build it, and everything is completed. This is said to be done according to the commandment of God, who spoke through his prophets; according to the commandment of Cyrus whose edict, humanly speaking, began the work; according to the commandment of Darius, who rebuked the Samaritans for their attempt to interfere with the work and allowed the temple to be built; and according to the commandment of Artaxerxes, who 80 years later confirmed that the work of restoring the walls of Jerusalem should continue.