Once Darius found Cyrus’ former decree regarding the temple at Jerusalem, he issued his own decree that went even further to support the project. He saw it as an opportunity to glorify his own achievements so he gave permission for it to be constructed at government expense and to be larger and more impressive than Solomon’s Temple had been. Some of the words he uses in the decree may lead us to think that Darius was a believer in Yahweh, but more than likely he was a polytheist who wanted to insure the protection of one he perceived as a territorial god.
As we are aware, the life of the Jews was to be centered on the worship of Yahweh. Therefore the completion of the temple and the re-establishment of traditional worship marked a dramatic climax to the restoration of the Jews to their land. Thus it was accompanied by a modest celebration that was tempered by the inclusion of the sin offering. This was an expression of the sorrow of both leaders and people who knew that sin had separated them from the Lord and had resulted in His harsh yet righteous judgment. It serves to remind us that no one may enjoy the fruits of the atonement won by Jesus without repentance. Like Darius there are many who claim to be Christian, to have a relationship with Christ, who speak the right words, but who worship the gods of this world especially self and materialism.
True allegiance to Jesus means confession of sin, sorrow over its consequence of alienation from God, and admission of total reliance upon the Lord for all things primarily salvation.
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