They
may offer sacrifices of pleasant aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.
Ezra 6:10
Moreover I make a decree what you shall do to these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the River, expenses be given with all diligence to these men, that they be not hindered. That which they have need of, both young bulls, and rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; also wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the priests who are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail;
Ezra 6 [10.] that they may offer sacrifices of pleasant aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons. Also I have made a decree, that whoever shall alter this word, let a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened on it; and let his house be made a dunghill for this: and the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who stretch out their hand to alter the same, to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem
Meaning:
This verse is part of a decree issued by King Darius of Persia, granting the Jews in Jerusalem permission to rebuild the temple and continue their worship practices. It highlights the relationship between the Persian rulers and the Jewish people during the post-exilic period, emphasizing the importance of both religious devotion and loyalty to the governing authorities.
The Book of Ezra narrates the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem following their captivity in Babylon, focusing on the rebuilding of the temple. King Cyrus of Persia had originally issued a decree allowing the Jews to return and rebuild their temple, and the work had begun under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua. However, opposition from neighboring peoples had caused the work to cease for some time.
In Ezra 6, we find the story of how the Jews, encouraged by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, resumed the rebuilding of the temple despite this opposition. Their adversaries attempted to halt the construction by appealing to King Darius, the successor to Cyrus, asking him to verify whether Cyrus had indeed authorized the project. Darius ordered a search of the royal archives, where they found Cyrus’s original decree. In response, Darius issued his own decree, not only affirming Cyrus’s permission but also providing additional support for the project, including funding from the royal treasury.
- The Purpose of the Sacrifices
"That they may offer sacrifices of pleasant aroma to the God of heaven": This phrase indicates the primary purpose of the decree—to enable the Jewish people to resume their worship of God through the offering of sacrifices. The “pleasant aroma” refers to the burnt offerings that were a central part of Israel’s worship, symbolizing their devotion and obedience to God. These sacrifices were an essential aspect of the covenant relationship between God and His people, representing atonement, thanksgiving, and dedication.
Religious Freedom and Support: Darius’s decree not only allows but actively supports the Jewish people in their worship. By providing resources and protection, Darius is ensuring that the temple worship can continue uninterrupted. This demonstrates a level of respect for the religious practices of the Jews, even though the Persian rulers were not themselves worshipers of Yahweh. It reflects the broader policy of the Persian Empire, which allowed various subject peoples to maintain their religious customs as long as they remained loyal to the king.
- Praying for the King and His Sons
"And pray for the life of the king, and of his sons": This part of the verse reveals a mutual relationship between the Jewish people and the Persian authorities. In return for the king’s support, the Jews were to pray for the welfare of Darius and his family. This request for prayers suggests that Darius saw the Jewish God as powerful and capable of blessing and protecting his reign. It also reflects the common practice in the ancient world where rulers sought the favor of the gods of the various peoples under their dominion.
Intercession for Authorities: The idea of praying for the king aligns with the broader biblical principle of interceding for governing authorities. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul urges that "supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." This principle underscores the importance of praying for those in authority, recognizing that their decisions can have a significant impact on the peace and well-being of the people.
Acknowledge God’s Sovereignty: By asking the Jews to pray for his life and the life of his sons, Darius indirectly acknowledges the sovereignty of the God of Israel. Although he may not have been a worshiper of Yahweh, Darius recognized the power of prayer and the potential benefits of divine favor. This highlights the influence that the Jewish faith and practices had even on foreign rulers.
The Application of the Passage
Ezra 6:10 offers several important lessons for us today:
The Role of Prayer in Public Life: The passage reminds us of the importance of praying for those in authority. Whether we agree with our leaders or not, Scripture calls us to intercede for them, recognizing that their decisions can influence the conditions under which we live and worship. Our prayers for leaders should seek their wisdom, guidance, and protection, as well as the peace and prosperity of the nation.
Gratitude for Religious Freedom: Darius’s decree reflects a period when the Jewish people were allowed to freely practice their religion, a blessing not always enjoyed by God’s people throughout history. This should prompt us to be thankful for the religious freedoms we have today and to use those freedoms to worship God faithfully and to serve others.
Engaging with Authority: The interaction between the Jewish leaders and King Darius illustrates the possibility of constructive engagement with political authorities. Rather than seeing them as adversaries, we can view our leaders as individuals for whom we can pray and with whom we can cooperate, when possible, for the common good.
Cross-References in Scripture
The themes in Ezra 6:10 resonate with other biblical passages that emphasize prayer, sacrifice, and the relationship between God’s people and governing authorities:
Jeremiah 29:7: "Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace." This verse parallels the instruction to pray for the king in Ezra 6:10, highlighting the importance of interceding for the welfare of the political authorities under whom God’s people live.
Romans 13:1: "Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God." Paul’s teaching reflects the same principle found in Ezra—acknowledging and respecting the authority of rulers, recognizing that their power ultimately comes from God.
Psalm 20:1-2: "May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high, send you help from the sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion." This psalm, a prayer for the king, echoes the concept of praying for the well-being of the ruler, as seen in Ezra 6:10.
Conclusion: Ezra 6:10 captures a moment of divine favor and political support for the Jewish people as they sought to restore their temple worship. The verse highlights the importance of offering sacrifices to God and the reciprocal relationship between the people and their rulers, where the Jews were encouraged to pray for the king and his family. This passage reminds us of the significance of prayer, the value of religious freedom, and the potential for positive interactions with those in authority. As we reflect on this verse, we are encouraged to pray for our leaders, cherish our freedom to worship, and live lives that honor God in every aspect of our public and private lives.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible