Ezra Chapter 5
1 Now the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem. They prophesied to them in the name of the God of Israel.
2 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build God's house which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them.
3 At the same time Tattenai, the governor beyond the River came to them, with Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and asked them, "Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?"
4 They also asked for the names of the men were who were making this building.
5 But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they didn't make them cease, until the matter should come to Darius, and an answer should be returned by letter concerning it.
6 The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the River, sent to Darius the king follows.
7 They sent a letter to him, in which was written: To Darius the king, all peace.
8 Be it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on with diligence and prospers in their hands.
9 Then we asked those elders, and said to them thus, "Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?"
10 We asked them their names also, to inform you that we might write the names of the men who were at their head.
11 Thus they returned us answer, saying, "We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and are building the house that was built these many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished.
12 But after our fathers had provoked the God of heaven to wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.
13 But in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree to build this house of God.
14 The gold and silver vessels of God's house, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought into the temple of Babylon, those Cyrus the king also took out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor.
15 He said to him, 'Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let God's house be built in its place.'
16 Then the same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of God's house which is in Jerusalem. Since that time even until now it has been being built, and yet it is not completed.
17 Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it is so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem; and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter."
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Ezra Chapter 5 Guide
A study of the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah makes it perfectly evident that the cessation of the work of building was unworthy of the men who had commenced. Judged by all human standards they could fairly urge the difficulties of the situation, and the necessity for obedience to the edict of the reigning king. Judged by the divine standard, as all the burning words of the prophets named make perfectly clear, they had no right to cease.
Under the inspiration of this prophetic message, governor and priest, Zerubbabel and Toshua, commenced the work again. But no sooner did they commence than opposition was raised, and they were challenged. To this challenge, however, they gave no heed, and the reason is graphically stated, "The eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews." We are not to suppose for a moment that this was something new. That eye had always been upon them, but through the teaching of the prophets, and their rousing call, their consciousness of relationship to God had again been renewed; and they went forward in spite of the challenge of their foes, determined not to cease until the matter had been submitted to Darius, the new king. The copy of the letter sent to him by Tattenai is preserved for us, and is very interesting. It is hardly possible to read it without feeling that there was in the mind of this enemy of the work some suspicion of a friendly feeling existing in the mind of the king toward the Jews. It would seem, however, that he did not believe their story concerning the edict of Cyrus, and appealed to the king that it be sought for, and produced if in existence.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Ezra Chapter 5 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The leaders forward the building of the temple. -- (1, 2)
- letter against the Jews. -- (3-17)
Verses 1, 2
The building of the temple was stopped about fifteen years. Then they had two good ministers, who urged them to go on with the work. It is a sign that God has mercy in store for a people, when he raises up prophets to be helpers in the way and work of God, as guides, overseers, and rulers. In Haggai, we see what great things God does by his word, which he magnifies above all his name, and by his Spirit working with it.
Verses 3-17
While employed in God's work, we are under his special protection; his eye is upon us for good. This should keep us to our duty, and encourage us therein, when difficulties are ever so discouraging. The elders of the Jews gave the Samaritans an account of their proceedings. Let us learn hence, with meekness and fear, to give a reason of the hope that is in us; let us rightly understand, and then readily declare, what we do in God's service, and why we do it. And while in this world, we always shall have to confess, that our sins have provoked the wrath of God. All our sufferings spring from thence, and all our comforts from his unmerited mercy. However the work may seem to be hindered, yet the Lord Jesus Christ is carrying it on, his people are growing unto a holy temple in the Lord, for a habitation of God through the Spirit.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.