Ezra 4-6

In spite of God and the edict of King Cyrus, evil men, with Tattenai, governor, opposed the building of the temple, writing letters of false accusations to undermine trust (Ezra 5). The letter, meant for evil, had unintended consequences.

1. King Darius found in the archives the actual memorandum of Cyrus, defining the size of the temple and committing the royal treasury to its cost (6:1-5);

2. In response to the memorandum, Darius directed:
   a. Tattenai and colleagues were to leave the Jews alone (v6);
   b. The cost was to come from taxes on the province where Tattenai was governor;
   c. Whatever else was needed – wheat, salt, wine, anointing oil – was to be given daily (v9)!!
   d. And any who violated the decree of Darius were to be impaled on a timber drawn from his own house.

God works in real history; the wise work with Him.