13 Then Tattenai , the governor of the province beyond the River , Shethar-bozenai and their colleagues carried out the decree with all diligence , just as King Darius had sent . 14 And the elders of the Jews were successful in building through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo . And they finished building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decree of Cyrus , Darius , and Artaxerxes king of Persia . 15 This temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar ; it was the sixth year of the reign of King Darius . 16 And the sons of Israel , the priests , the Levites and the rest of the exiles e , celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy . 17 They offered for the dedication of this temple of God 100 bulls , 200 rams , 400 e lambs , and as a sin offering for all Israel e male goats , corresponding to the number of the tribes of Israel . 18 Then they appointed the priests to their divisions and the Levites in their orders for the service of God in Jerusalem , as it is written in the book of Moses . 19 The exiles e observed the Passover on the fourteenth e of the first month . 20 For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together ; all of them were pure . Then they slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the exiles e , both for their brothers the priests and for themselves. 21 The sons of Israel who returned from exile and all those who had separated themselves from the impurity of the nations of the land to join them, to seek the Lord God of Israel , ate the Passover. 22 And they observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy , for the Lord had caused them to rejoice , and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to encourage e them in the work of the house of God , the God of Israel .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezra 6:13-22
Commentary on Ezra 6:13-22
(Read Ezra 6:13-22)
The gospel church, that spiritual temple, is long in the building, but it will be finished at last, when the mystical body is completed. Every believer is a living temple, building up himself in his most holy faith: much opposition is given to this work by Satan and our own corruptions. We trifle, and proceed in it with many stops and pauses; but He that has begun the good work, will see it performed. Then spirits of just men will be made perfect. By getting their sins taken away, the Jews would free themselves from the sting of their late troubles. Their service was with joy. Let us welcome holy ordinances with joy, and serve the Lord with gladness.