Respect, Don't Pull Rank

Ezra 5:17 (see 5:3-6:10)

"Now, if it pleases the king, let a search be made in the royal archives of Babylon to see if King Cyrus did, in fact, issue a decree to rebuild this house of God in Jerusalem. Then let the king send us his decision in this matter."

This letter went to King Darius, in Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar had conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, and carried the people to Babylon; so whoever was the king in Babylon had the political authority over the Israelites. They had to have his permission to do even what God told them to do, but their neighbors opposed them. King Artaxerxes had stopped the work on the Temple. But God raised up another king in Babylon who would find Cyrus' decree, and not only allow them to rebuild it, but also had his own royal treasury pay for it.

Even though God required it, they didn't "pull rank" on the king, but asked respectfully. And God had him do this. Always show respect.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!