Courtship and Crown of King Darius

Haggai 1:1 - In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest:

Courtship and Crown of King Darius – There are several passages in the Bible that set creed and establish the Courtship and Crown of King Darius prior to ascending the throne.  God had initially made a covenant with Abraham centuries ago promising to establish and protect the nation of Israel.  There was the guarantee of the Messiah from the beginning.  Take a look at these particular passages and you will begin to understand His plan. 

Genesis 12:3 - I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Daniel 4:35 - All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and HE does according to His will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to Him, “What have you done?”

Proverbs 21:1 - The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; HE turns it wherever HE will.

Isaiah 13:17-10 - Behold, I am stirring up the Medes against them, who have no regard for silver and do not delight in gold.  Their bows will slaughter the young men; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; their eyes will not pity children.  And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the splendor and pomp of the Chaldeans, will be like Sodom and Gomorrah when God overthrew them.

The decree allowing the Jews to return to their homeland to begin construction rebuilding the Temple began with Cyrus, King of Persia, in 538 BC who conquered Babylon. 

Ezra 1:2-4 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:  “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah.  Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them.  And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.”

The return was led by Zerubbabel.  He was accompanied by a small remnant of Jews.  Approximately 50,000 of the exiles returned home to begin work on the Temple.  However, the work stood still with only the foundation intact.  Their neighbors, the Samaritans, feared Israel becoming a thriving Jewish nation. They were threatened by their politics and religion. It wasn't until Darius the Great became King of Persia in 522 BC that the people continued this work.  Haggai and Zechariah began to encourage them to rebuild.  When the governor of Trans-Euphrates and other officials interfered with their efforts, King Darius lent his full support.  

Ezra 4:1-5 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, “Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.”  But Zerubbabel, Joshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, “You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us.”  Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. They bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Ezra 5:3-6 At that time Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates went to them and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and to finish it?” They also asked, “What are the names of those who are constructing this building?” But the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received.  This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates, the officials of Trans-Euphrates, sent to King Darius.

• Godly kings produce phenomenal leadership, as well as, create prosperous nations. Haggai prophesied to the people during the second reign of Darius.  He was the King of Persia. King Darius was considered a good King.  He was a successful leader and made a difference in their world.  Successful leadership is the key for each challenge the world faces.  Why?  Because the King:

1. Aligns with God.
2. Aim is Spiritual.
3. Alliances and covenants are made with and among God's people. 
4. Adheres to power and position.
5. Agenda is statesmanship.
6. Advances in blessings and peace.

• Ungodly kings make poor leaders, as well as, create and deteriorate a nation.  The nation will quickly perish.  Struggling leaders agonize in the knowledge of their failures among themselves, the people, other nations and the Lord.  They create distrust and discord among the people and world.  There is the question of character and integrity within their crown and courtship.  Why?  Because the King:

1. Aligns with Man.
2. Aim is Secular.
3. Alliances and covenants are made against God's people.
4. Abuses power and position.
5. Agenda is politics.   
6. Abseil in curses and war.

REVIEW/APPLICATION: Observation, Interpretation and Application

1. Fill in the blank for Genesis 12:3 - I will _______ those who ______ you, and him who dishonors you I will _______, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
2. Who issued the first decree to return to Jerusalem?
3. Who led the return?
4. How many went with back to rebuild the Temple?
5. Who feared Israel?  Why?
6. Which King of Persia favored the exiles encouraging them to finish building?
7. What are various qualities that produce good leadership?
8. Is the nation of Israel being blessed by the United States and other nations? 
9. Are you a leader or follower?
10. Where do you stand politically?
11. Are you pro-Israel or anti-Israel?
12. As a leader, who do you align yourself with?  God or man?
13. Is your aim spiritual or secular?
14. Do you honor the promises you make with God’s people?
15. On a sliding scale of 1-10 where do you place yourself spiritually?  Are you walking in blessings and peace or do you feel cursed and at war?