13 Then Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shethar-Boznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king hath sent, so they have done speedily; 14 and the elders of the Jews are building and prospering through the prophecy of Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah son of Iddo, and they have built and finished by the decree of the God of Israel, and by the decree of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. 15 And this house hath gone out till the third day of the month Adar, that is 'in' the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. 16 And the sons of Israel have made, 'and' the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the sons of the captivity, a dedication of this house of God with joy, 17 and have brought near for the dedication of this house of God, bullocks a hundred, rams two hundred, lambs four hundred; and young he-goats for a sin-offering for all Israel, twelve, according to the number of the tribes of Israel; 18 and they have established the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, over the service of God that 'is' in Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses. 19 And the sons of the captivity make the passover on the fourteenth of the first month, 20 for the priests and the Levites have been purified together—all of them 'are' pure—and they slaughter the passover for all the sons of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves. 21 And the sons of Israel, those returning from the captivity, and every one who is separated from the uncleanness of the nations of the land unto them, to seek to Jehovah, God of Israel, do eat, 22 and they make the feast of unleavened things seven days with joy, for Jehovah made them to rejoice, and turned round the heart of the king of Asshur unto them, to strengthen their hands 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.