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Keystone Chapter No. 146 Royal Arch Masons Mehlville (St. Louis), Missouri Meetings On 2nd & 4th Wednesdays
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Zerubbabel in chains before the Persian King, Cyrus the Great. |
Who Was Zerubbabel ?
When the armies of Nebuchadnezzar attacked and destroyed Jersualem, some of the Jews escaped to Egypt. Later, they returned to Jerusalem and held a Council Meeting amidst the ruins of their beloved Temple. A sentinel interrupted the meeting and reported the approach of a stranger. He claimed to be an Adept and offered to prove this by giving and receiving the Sacred Word.
Satisfying the Council, he identified himself as Zerubbabel. The head of the Council related to him the trials of the people, their longing to rebuild the Temple, and asked his advice. He volunteered to journey to Babylon, and to intercede with King Cyrus for the liberation of the Jews and permission to rebuild the Temple.
Entering upon this assignment, Zerubbabel arrived at the Court of Cyrus and made know to him his wishes. Cyrus agreed to grant the request if Zerubbabel would impart to him the secret knowledge of King Solomon's Order.
Zerubbabel refused!
Cyrus then tempted him with many offers, including gold, freedom for the Jews, permission to rebuild the Temple, and personal honors. Zerubbabel flatly refused again, whereupon Cyrus led him to the treasure chamber and showed there the Sacred Vessels of the Temple. Zerubbabel still refused.
Cyrus asked what would same him from passing throught the fire as punishment. Zerubbabel replied the oath and honor of Cyrus as a king. Impressed with this reply and fidelity, Cyrus decreed freedom for the Jews, permission for them to return to Jerusalem to rrebuild the Temple, and the the Holy Vessels should be delivered to Zerubbabel with the golden collar of the Median order, and gave him his own signet ring as a token of the authority with which he was invested.
We thus have an example of fidelity to duty in the steadfast refusal of Zerubbabel to reveal the secrets. There was reason then and now for such secrecy. Philosophic mysteries should be imparted only to those who have first purified their minds and hearts so as to be receptive to the teachings. Otherwise, it is like pouring clean water into a dirty well.
The tattered pages of history down through the ages tell many a miserable story of appeasement and compromise. The bitter truth is that you cannot do business on conciliatory terms with bandits, braggarts or bullies. Those who appeased Genghis Kahn were trampled under his forces as they swept out of the Orient. Alexander the Great and Attila, King of the Huns, broke promises as they broke nations. And, in our own time, we have seen Mussolini and Hitler apply the patters of diabolical pressure and power and of deathly poison to peace-loving nations.
Zerubbabel stands as a shining example of refusal to deal with such tyrants even at the risk of his own life.
Zerubbabel leads his people
to rebuild the Temple.
© Copyright 1997, 1998, 1999. Keystone Chapter No. 146, Royal Arch Masons. All rights reserved.
Satisfying the Council, he identified himself as Zerubbabel. The head of the Council related to him the trials of the people, their longing to rebuild the Temple, and asked his advice. He volunteered to journey to Babylon, and to intercede with King Cyrus for the liberation of the Jews and permission to rebuild the Temple.
Entering upon this assignment, Zerubbabel arrived at the Court of Cyrus and made know to him his wishes. Cyrus agreed to grant the request if Zerubbabel would impart to him the secret knowledge of King Solomon's Order.
Zerubbabel refused!
Cyrus then tempted him with many offers, including gold, freedom for the Jews, permission to rebuild the Temple, and personal honors. Zerubbabel flatly refused again, whereupon Cyrus led him to the treasure chamber and showed there the Sacred Vessels of the Temple. Zerubbabel still refused.
Cyrus asked what would same him from passing throught the fire as punishment. Zerubbabel replied the oath and honor of Cyrus as a king. Impressed with this reply and fidelity, Cyrus decreed freedom for the Jews, permission for them to return to Jerusalem to rrebuild the Temple, and the the Holy Vessels should be delivered to Zerubbabel with the golden collar of the Median order, and gave him his own signet ring as a token of the authority with which he was invested.
We thus have an example of fidelity to duty in the steadfast refusal of Zerubbabel to reveal the secrets. There was reason then and now for such secrecy. Philosophic mysteries should be imparted only to those who have first purified their minds and hearts so as to be receptive to the teachings. Otherwise, it is like pouring clean water into a dirty well.
The tattered pages of history down through the ages tell many a miserable story of appeasement and compromise. The bitter truth is that you cannot do business on conciliatory terms with bandits, braggarts or bullies. Those who appeased Genghis Kahn were trampled under his forces as they swept out of the Orient. Alexander the Great and Attila, King of the Huns, broke promises as they broke nations. And, in our own time, we have seen Mussolini and Hitler apply the patters of diabolical pressure and power and of deathly poison to peace-loving nations.
Zerubbabel stands as a shining example of refusal to deal with such tyrants even at the risk of his own life.
to rebuild the Temple.