“The Prophets of God Helping Them”
377
To Zerubbabel their leader—he who, through all the years since
their return from Babylon, had been so sorely tried—was given a most
precious message. The day was coming, the Lord declared, when all
the enemies of His chosen people would be cast down. “In that day,
saith the Lord of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, My servant, ...
and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee.”
Verse 23
. Now
the governor of Israel could see the meaning of the providence that
[578]
had led him through discouragement and perplexity; he could discern
God’s purpose in it all.
This personal word to Zerubbabel has been left on record for the
encouragement of God’s children in every age. God has a purpose in
sending trial to His children. He never leads them otherwise than they
would choose to be led if they could see the end from the beginning,
and discern the glory of the purpose that they are fulfilling. All that
He brings upon them in test and trial comes that they may be strong to
do and to suffer for Him.
The messages delivered by Haggai and Zechariah roused the people
to put forth every possible effort for the rebuilding of the temple; but,
as they worked, they were sadly harassed by the Samaritans and others
who devised many hindrances. On one occasion the provincial officers
of the Medo-Persian realm visited Jerusalem and requested the name
of the one who had authorized the restoration of the building. If at
that time the Jews had not been trusting in the Lord for guidance,
this inquiry might have resulted disastrously to them. “But the eye of
their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause
them to cease, till the matter came to Darius.”
Ezra 5:5
. The officers
were answered so wisely that they decided to write a letter to Darius
Hystaspes, then the ruler of Medo-Persia, directing his attention to the
original decree made by Cyrus, which commanded that the house of
God at Jerusalem be rebuilt, and that the expenses for the same be paid
from the king’s treasury.
[579]
Darius searched for this decree, and found it; whereupon he di-
rected those who had made the inquiry to allow the rebuilding of the
temple to proceed. “Let the work of this house of God alone,” he
commanded; “let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews
build this house of God in his place.
“Moreover,” Darius continued, “I make a decree what ye shall do
to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that