What happensPermalink
Encouraged by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, Zerubbabel and Jeshua resume rebuilding the temple during the reign of Darius. The regional governor investigates the work and sends a letter to Darius asking whether Cyrus had truly authorized the rebuilding. The Jews explain both the destruction of Jerusalem and Cyrus’s decree permitting their return.
Why it mattersPermalink
The rebuilding restarts because God speaks through His prophets, encouraging the remnant to persevere despite opposition. The returned exiles openly acknowledge that the exile came because of Israel’s sin, showing humility before God. Even while Persian officials investigate the work, “the eye of their God” remains on His people.
Key versePermalink
But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until the report should reach Darius and then an answer be returned by letter concerning it.