3 " In the first year of King Cyrus , Cyrus the king issued a decree : 'Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem , let the temple , the place where sacrifices are offered , be rebuilt and let its foundations be retained , its height being 60 cubits and its width 60 cubits ; 4 with three layers of huge stones and one layer of timbers . And let the cost be paid from the royal treasury . 5 'Also let the gold and silver utensils of the house of God , which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon , be returned and brought to their places in the temple in Jerusalem ; and you shall put them in the house of God .'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezra 6:3-5
Commentary on Ezra 6:1-12
(Read Ezra 6:1-12)
When God's time is come for fulfilling his gracious purposes concerning his church, he will raise up instruments to do it, from whom such good service was not expected. While our thoughts are directed to this event, we are led by Zechariah to fix our regard on a nobler, a spiritual building. The Lord Jesus Christ continues to lay one stone upon another: let us assist the great design. Difficulties delay the progress of this sacred edifice. Yet let not opposition discourage us, for in due season it will be completed to his abundant praise. He shall bring forth the head-stone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.