QUESTION: In the book of Ezra, in the 6th chapter and about the 7th verse, here it is talking about the House of God. Who is to let it alone?
ANSWER: Go back a bit. Here Darius the King, made a decree and a search was made in the House of the Rolls where the treasures were laid up in Babylon. And there was found in the palace, which is in the province of the Medes, a roll. And within a record was written. Therefore, in the first year of Cyrus the King, he made a decree about the House of God at Jerusalem. ‘Let the house be built, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof of three score cubits and so forth.’
Now remember, that Darius was very friendly to Israel. And though he was a conqueror of the Medes and Persians, and had nothing in common with Israel, yet he was an Aryan.
Therefore, he said, ‘Let the golden and silver vessels of the House of God which Nebuchadnezzar brought to Babylon be restored and place them again in the House of God.’ And then he warned the enemies of Israel to let the House of God alone. ‘Let these Israelites rebuild this House of God in this place.’ And yes, we know that it is translated as ‘let the Jews and the elders of the Jews alone.’ But he was speaking of those of Judah who would go back to rebuild this House of God.