Ezra 6

Overview

After a review of the archive’s material, the Jews in Jerusalem were allowed to continue their reconstruction of the temple. They finally finished rebuilding the temple and organized the temple functionaries. The temple was dedicated with great celebration of animal sacrifices and observance of the Passover.

Ezra 6:1–12. Decree is found

At the order of King Darius, the archives were searched for any previous orders regarding Jerusalem and its temple. The previous order was found, which gave specific details for measurements and expenses related to the temple. As a result, the current governor was encouraged to allow the restoration work on the temple to continue. The order also gave provision to financially support the rebuilding and later the sacrifices offered there. Strong warnings against disobeying the order accompanied this decree.

Ezra 6:13–15. Obedience to the decree to rebuild the temple

With the resolution over the question of the previous decrees, the Jews progressed rapidly with the reconstruction of the temple. They were also spurred on by the encouragement and prophecies of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah until they finished the temple in the sixth year of King Darius’s reign.

Prophets today still have the role of planning and managing the construction of new temples as efforts are made to bring temples to more communities of Saints across the world.

Ezra 6:16–22. Dedication of the temple, catalogue of offerings, and a grand celebration of Passover

The Israelites celebrated the dedication of the temple with a large number of animal sacrifices. They also assigned the temple priests and Levites to their appointed times of service. After a period of purification, all the children of Israel celebrated Passover together, rejoicing for the support God had given them to complete the temple’s construction. The Passover led to the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread (as it still does in Jewish celebration today).

Early Saints celebrated the dedication of the Kirtland Temple with great rejoicing and spiritual manifestations (see Doctrine and Covenants 109). The dedication of the Kirtland Temple also happened around Passover time in 1836. The Church continues the custom of celebrating dedications of new temples today.