FOR MY BOY
Today's reading:  Ezra 6-10

King Darius backs the rebuilding of the Temple. He's not Jewish.  He's not of the Levitical tribe.  He, because of his heritage, will probably never be inside the Temple.  But he issues a decree stating it needs to be built back--and in verses 6-12 of chapter 6, he gives some pretty straight forward instructions about doing it...

Do not disturb the construction.
Let it be rebuilt.
Do not hinder the progress.
Help.
Pay the full construction costs.
Give...whatever is needed.
Provide.
If these orders are violated, you will have a beam removed from your home, you will be tied to it and flogged.

So what was his reason?

It's not political.

It's not to gain power in the eyes of neighboring countries.

It's not to get an agenda passed.

It stems from a father's heart...

"Then they will be able to offer acceptable sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for me and my sons."  Ezra 6:10 NLT

He knew as a parent God needed to be in his life.  He realized the impact God would have in the lives of his boys.  He quite possibly knew his boys were a gift from this Creator.  He reasoned that if his boys were to become men of any worth, they would need this God's backing and guidance.  He saw the effects of prayer.  He understood, from watching the Jews, that their God was needed in his palace--and possibly in his heart.

I get that.