In today’s reflection, we reach the halfway point of the Book of Ezra, focusing on chapter 6, where a key leadership principle is revealed: celebrate victories. This daily devotinal recounts the triumph of the Jewish people as they resume and complete the rebuilding of the temple under King Darius’ support, despite past opposition. The message encourages us to recognize and rejoice in our own wins, big or small, while giving glory to God for His provision. Have you been winning or losing lately? Take a moment to reflect, celebrate your victories, and give thanks to God. To learn why they resumed construction on the temple, read the daily devotional Ezra 5.
Ezra 6 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
Today, we cross over the halfway point of the Book of Ezra. We are in chapter 6 of ten chapters of the Book of Ezra. We will discover another leadership principle, celebrate wins. Have you been winning or losing lately? When God permits a win in your life, do you celebrate? Please read or listen to Ezra 6.
In 1995, I wrote in my personal Bible reading journal, “Political forces turned around. Building of temple resumes. Ezra and Nehemiah remain steadfast over the years. They didn’t lose sight of their purpose. I need to reconsider my purpose. Am I steadfast?”
What Is Ezra Chapter 6 About?
In 2009, I read Ezra 6-8 (NASB) on the same day. Concerning chapter 6, I wrote, “King Darius permits the temple work to restart. This time the Jews finished the second temple. ‘Whatever is needed’ (v. 9) was to be provided for the completion and operation of the temple, ‘It is to be given to them daily without fail’ (v. 9).The temple is finished.”
In 2015, I read Ezra 5 and 6 together on the same day and wrote about the two chapters together, “Prophets Haggai and Zechariah encourage Jews to get back to work on the temple. With their support, work began again and so did the opposition. This time, support for rebuilding the temple was found in Persian records so work is permitted and actually paid for by the Persian government. God can resource His work from wherever He wants. The temple is completed and celebrated.”
Who Is King Darius in the Book of Ezra?
Darius warns the governor over Jerusalem to keep away. Let them finish rebuilding this temple. And surely to the governor’s surprise, the king says, “The cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province from Beyond the River” (v. 8), which is where he was the governor. So, the funds he was collecting are now going to go to the temple he tried to stop from being rebuilt.
In chapter 6, the new king, Darius, searches the records and finds the edict from the previous king, King Cyrus, about rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. “Let the house be rebuilt” (v. 3) said the records, and “Let the cost be paid from the royal treasury” (v. 4).
More so, once the temple is rebuilt, the sacrifices are to be paid for and given to them by the government. “And whatever is needed—bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests at Jerusalem require—let that be given to them day by day without fail, that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons” (vv. 9-10).
What Was the Decree of King Darius?
And the king threatens anybody who gets in the way this time. He says, “a beam shall be pulled out of his house, and he shall be impaled on it, and his house shall be made a dunghill.May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who shall put out a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God that is in Jerusalem” (vv. 11-12).
The tide has certainly shifted. The opposition has been squelched and rebuilding begins. This time the work is completed. The house is finished. And the house is dedicated with great celebration and joy by all those exiles who have returned to Jerusalem.
Why Was Ezra Important?
Remember, Ezra brought the Book of the Law, the Book of Moses, back from captivity in Babylon and he read it to the people so now they understood the sacrifices, the celebrations, and the festivals that were in Moses’ commandments. For the first time in decades, they celebrated the Passover and they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Jerusalem had been restored.
What Does It Mean to Celebrate Wins?
In the booklet, Twelve Practical Principles of Leadership According to Ezra, leadership principle seven is found in this chapter; celebrate victory:
When the victory comes, celebrate. We are good at complaining about our losses so let’s get good at celebrating our wins. We have been taught to be humble, not to toot our own horns. Success is of the Lord. Give him the glory and celebrate. We are going to suffer losses along the way. We’re also going to win so learn to celebrate the wins. Have a feast. Be joyful. Proclaim victory and celebrate. Have you won lately? Did you celebrate?
How Do You Celebrate a Victory?
A practical application is to celebrate a victory. I hope you are winning at something in life right now. If so, take a moment to celebrate. Yes, as Christians, we are to be humble, we are to walk in humility, but there are times when God gives us victories: answers to prayer, victories at work, or victories within our family. Celebrate wins. Give glory to God.
Prayer
Father, we thank You that sometimes life is a struggle. Sometimes it is a battle. Sometimes You test us, but You also allow us victories on our journey. May You be pleased as we celebrate those victories, those wins, along the way by glorifying You. To God be the glory, great things You have done. Amen.
