It was a joint decree:
Having been incensed at Jerusalem’s refusal of his “help,” Artaxerxes used the report of his spies to justify his obstructionist subversions in Jerusalem’s restoration. A restoration which, had originally been decreed by Cyrus. (Some people cause trauma in the lives of others so that they can be hailed as the hero when they come to the rescue, i.e. hero syndrome). God did not give Artaxerxes sole authority, to rebuild the temple because his motivation was corrupt. While honoring God’s Word, on the surface, Artaxerxes’ underlying reasons were not above reproach. Not only, did Artaxerxes attempt to seek self-gain through his tax plan, he sought self-exaltation through despotism, in an attempt to shift focus away from real agenda. Behavior, unbecoming a king. Artaxerxes desired the legacy of having his name exalted in something Holy, when he had, himself, orchestrated the very evil, through the treachery of spies, which had, unjustly, kept Jerusalem in captivity. Man cannot align himself with, nor endorse, that which is evil in God’s eyes, and expect His approval. If allowed, such would only serve to pollute the new covenant, as was so with the old covenant. Darkness and light cannot dwell together. Though God disallowed Artaxerxes the honor of exaltation in Jerusalem’s restoration, He commanded that all cost associated with the restoration, be paid by his kingdom. God calls the shots.
Some scholars believe that King Cyrus and King Darius was the same person; whether that was the case, I do not know, text does not tell us. I am inclined to believe that because the two were of the same honorable spirit, King Darius, most likely served in close proximity of the Cyrus administration and therefore championed his agenda.
There will be opposition and rebellion, just as foretold. BUT GOD, will always honor His covenant:
Isaiah 62:6-9 6 I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, 7 And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. 8 The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured: 9 But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.
While it is just and correct, according to Biblical statute and timing, that Jerusalem be restored to its’ rightful people, place and position; motivation must to be weighed. While it is true that Artaxerxes’ name was inscribed on the decree; it was so, that the full story be told. Artaxerxes was not to receive the honor bestowed upon King Darius. GOD will choose the one who will exalt, Him alone, in the restoration of His Temple. Every word which goes forth from God, will be fulfilled, whether we agree with it or not.
God’s timing is perfect, and His plan will be fulfilled; ALL OF IT. Therefore, “AS IT IS WRITTEN”:
Isaiah 66:9-11 9“Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?" says the Lord . "Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?" says your God. 10"Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. 11For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts;
Revelation 3:7-8 7 These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.”
Word of God. Thanks be to God
AMEN
Commentary: In reading the text, it seemed to me that, Artaxerxes, was not, in and of himself, altogether evil, but having given place to the devil, in allowing those who had an ax to grind with the previous regime for failing to tax Jerusalem, a people held in captivity, he set himself up to be manipulated in the way that he had manipulated others. When I think about it in today’s terms; his tax policy was likened to such as, “over-taxation” of the poor, single mothers, the homeless, widows, the elderly, small business, etc. Interesting.
Restoring Jerusalem to its’ rightful people, is the right thing to do. And, the seventieth year is the right time FRAME in which to do it, but scripturally, because of taxation dynamic, it’s the wrong regime.
Having been incensed at Jerusalem’s refusal of his “help,” Artaxerxes used the report of his spies to justify his obstructionist subversions in Jerusalem’s restoration. A restoration which, had originally been decreed by Cyrus. (Some people cause trauma in the lives of others so that they can be hailed as the hero when they come to the rescue, i.e. hero syndrome). God did not give Artaxerxes sole authority, to rebuild the temple because his motivation was corrupt. While honoring God’s Word, on the surface, Artaxerxes’ underlying reasons were not above reproach. Not only, did Artaxerxes attempt to seek self-gain through his tax plan, he sought self-exaltation through despotism, in an attempt to shift focus away from real agenda. Behavior, unbecoming a king. Artaxerxes desired the legacy of having his name exalted in something Holy, when he had, himself, orchestrated the very evil, through the treachery of spies, which had, unjustly, kept Jerusalem in captivity. Man cannot align himself with, nor endorse, that which is evil in God’s eyes, and expect His approval. If allowed, such would only serve to pollute the new covenant, as was so with the old covenant. Darkness and light cannot dwell together. Though God disallowed Artaxerxes the honor of exaltation in Jerusalem’s restoration, He commanded that all cost associated with the restoration, be paid by his kingdom. God calls the shots.
Some scholars believe that King Cyrus and King Darius was the same person; whether that was the case, I do not know, text does not tell us. I am inclined to believe that because the two were of the same honorable spirit, King Darius, most likely served in close proximity of the Cyrus administration and therefore championed his agenda.
There will be opposition and rebellion, just as foretold. BUT GOD, will always honor His covenant:
Isaiah 62:6-9 6 I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, 7 And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. 8 The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured: 9 But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.
While it is just and correct, according to Biblical statute and timing, that Jerusalem be restored to its’ rightful people, place and position; motivation must to be weighed. While it is true that Artaxerxes’ name was inscribed on the decree; it was so, that the full story be told. Artaxerxes was not to receive the honor bestowed upon King Darius. GOD will choose the one who will exalt, Him alone, in the restoration of His Temple. Every word which goes forth from God, will be fulfilled, whether we agree with it or not.
God’s timing is perfect, and His plan will be fulfilled; ALL OF IT. Therefore, “AS IT IS WRITTEN”:
Isaiah 66:9-11 9“Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?" says the Lord . "Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?" says your God. 10"Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. 11For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts;
Revelation 3:7-8 7 These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.”
Word of God. Thanks be to God
AMEN
Commentary: In reading the text, it seemed to me that, Artaxerxes, was not, in and of himself, altogether evil, but having given place to the devil, in allowing those who had an ax to grind with the previous regime for failing to tax Jerusalem, a people held in captivity, he set himself up to be manipulated in the way that he had manipulated others. When I think about it in today’s terms; his tax policy was likened to such as, “over-taxation” of the poor, single mothers, the homeless, widows, the elderly, small business, etc. Interesting.
Restoring Jerusalem to its’ rightful people, is the right thing to do. And, the seventieth year is the right time FRAME in which to do it, but scripturally, because of taxation dynamic, it’s the wrong regime.
