Reading for November 12th

Read Ezra 6.1=12. In verse 2: Ecbatana, the capital of the province of media: the search began in Babylon since important royal decrees would be archived there. Ecbatana, at a higher elevation than the main capital of Persepolis, was the location of the persian Kings' summer palace. In verse 4: Let the cost be paid from the royal treasury: Cyrus detailed specifications of the size and form of construction limit how much the rebuilding would cost., since imperial funds were paying for it. In verse 10: So they may offer pleasing sacrifices ... and pray for the life of the king and his children: Persian imperial support for local religious centers is well attested. It was part of a larger policy of bringing local customs into the framework of loyalty to the empire. Darius probably did not worship Israel's God, but that did not prevent him from seeking to convince those who did that Israel's God was concerned with the King's well-being. Comments or Questions..