They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia. (Ezra 6:14)
Expanded Passage: Ezra 6:13-15
Sovereignty is not a concept or doctrine that is frequently talked about anymore. Often, we have become convinced that we can take care of things if we are industrious enough. Many theologies exist today that are human-centered instead of being God-centered. The other day, I even heard that you can control your own destiny in life if you would only “focus yourself on the epicenters of the universe.” Frankly, I don’t even know what that means.
To the casual onlooker, the decree to rebuild God’s temple needed a seal of approval from three earthly kings. While this may look like the truth, it was really God who commanded his temple be finished. The God of Israel ruled with sovereignty over the entire process.
He still is. God, in his past and present sovereignty, is the one who is in control of all things, whether we recognize that fact or not. Earthly kings, you, and I are not without free will, but ultimately we are God’s instruments, put to use to accomplish his will. His power of volition is supreme over all rulers, all oppressors, and even all the pagan libraries where the building plans were ultimately found during Darius’ reign.
Will we be able to understand God’s sovereign will fully? No. Do we need to trust that God is in control and knows what he is doing? Definitely!
Trust in the sovereign command of the Lord, not the limited decrees of humankind.
Jim Dunn is the president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OK). He previously served as the executive director of Church Multiplication and Discipleship for The Wesleyan Church.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
