God's Blessing

Ezra 4 Explained – Verse by Verse Commentary

1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel,
2 they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers’ houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.”
3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers’ houses in Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we alone will build to the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”
4 Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build
5 and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
7 In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam and Mithredath and Tabeel and the rest of their associates wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated.
8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows:
9 Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges, the governors, the officials, the Persians, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites,
10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River.
11 (Now this is the copy of the letter that they sent to Artaxerxes the king: “Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting.)
12 be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations.
13 Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired.
14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to witness the king’s dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king,
15 in order that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will find in the book of the records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and that sedition was stirred up in it from of old. That was why this city was laid waste.
16 We make known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River.”
17 The king sent an answer: “To Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their associates who live in Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River, greeting. And now
18 The letter that you sent to us has been plainly read before me.
19 And I made a decree, and search has been made, and it has been found that this city from of old has risen against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it.
20 that mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, who ruled over the whole province Beyond the River, to whom tribute, custom, and toll were paid.
21 “Therefore make a decree that these men be made to cease, and that this city be not rebuilt, until a decree is made by me.”
22 Be it known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built with huge stones, and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on diligently and prospers in their hands.
23 Then, when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their associates, they went in haste to the Jews at Jerusalem and by force and power made them cease.
24 Then the work on the house of God that is in Jerusalem stopped, and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

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The True Meaning of Ezra 4

The book of Ezra was written by the prophet Ezra, a scribe and priest who played a crucial role in the restoration of the Jewish people after their exile in Babylon. The returning exiles face challenges as they seek to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem in this chapter.

The chapter begins by describing the opposition faced by the Jews from their neighbors, who attempt to hinder the construction work. This reflects the ongoing spiritual battle that the people of God often face when seeking to fulfill His purposes. We are reminded of the words of the apostle Paul, who wrote, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). The adversaries use political maneuvering and false accusations to try to stop the rebuilding efforts as the chapter unfolds. This serves as a sobering reminder that the work of God is often met with resistance from the forces of darkness. However, the faithful response of the Jewish leaders, who refuse to be deterred, is a testament to the power of unwavering faith and obedience to God’s call.

Ezra 4:1-5

The enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple to the Lord in Ezra 4:1-5 and offered to help them build. This seemingly well-intentioned offer, however, was refused by the Israelites, as they were mindful of the historical enmity that existed between them. The enemies then sought to discourage the people of Judah and Benjamin, and made plans to frustrate their work during the entire reign of Cyrus, king of Persia, and continued through the reign of Darius, king of Persia.

This passage is significant in several ways. Firstly, it highlights the constant opposition that the people of God often face when carrying out God’s work. The enemies in this case sought to hinder the rebuilding of the temple, which was a crucial restoration project for the spiritual life of the Israelites. This serves as a reminder to believers that when they are serving the Lord and advancing His kingdom, they should expect opposition from the enemy. The Israelites’ refusal to accept the help of their enemies is a lesson in discernment and staying true to God’s commands. Despite the offer of assistance, the Israelites were wise to recognize the ulterior motives behind it and chose to rely solely on God for the completion of their task. This demonstrates the importance of relying on God’s guidance and provision, even when faced with seemingly attractive shortcuts or assistance from sources that do not align with God’s will.

The mention of the kings Cyrus and Darius in this passage is also noteworthy. Cyrus was the Persian king who issued the decree allowing the Israelite exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:1-4). His support for the restoration of the temple was a fulfillment of God’s prophecy through the prophet Isaiah, who had called Cyrus by name as the one who would allow the temple to be rebuilt (Isaiah 44:28). Darius, who succeeded Cyrus, also played a role in affirming and supporting the rebuilding efforts, as seen in subsequent chapters of Ezra. Believers face spiritual warfare, must discern in opposition, and rely on God’s faithfulness to accomplish His purposes despite challenges and obstacles. It underscores the need for believers to trust in God’s sovereignty and to rely on His strength and guidance in the midst of difficulties and opposition.

Ezra 4:6-16

The historical account of the opposition the Jewish people faced during the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem is seen in Ezra 4:6-16. The key sections in this passage can be broken down as follows:

  1. Verses 6-10: These verses introduce us to the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin who resided in the land during the time of King Cyrus of Persia. They approached the builders of the temple and offered to help, claiming that they also worshiped the Lord. This seemingly friendly gesture, however, was motivated by ulterior motives. These adversaries were the Samaritans, who were a mixed people with Jewish and Gentile ancestry. They had opposed the rebuilding efforts of the Jews before and continued to do so here.

  2. Verses 11-16: Here, the adversaries write a letter to King Artaxerxes of Persia, outlining the history of Jerusalem as a rebellious city and predicting that if the walls were rebuilt, the Jews would no longer pay tribute, leading to financial loss for the king. Upon receiving the letter, King Artaxerxes orders a search of the archives and confirms that indeed Jerusalem had a history of rebellion. The king halted the construction of the walls of Jerusalem by decree.

The significance of this passage lies in the relentless opposition faced by the Jewish people in their efforts to rebuild the temple and the city of Jerusalem. The Samaritans, descendants of the northern tribes who had intermarried with Assyrians after the northern kingdom fell, were at odds with the Jews and tried to thwart their progress at every turn. This passage highlights the challenges and conflicts that often arise when God’s people seek to obey His commands and fulfill His purposes.

From a broader biblical perspective, this narrative reflects the ongoing theme of opposition to God’s work. Throughout the Bible, we see that when God’s people are dedicated to fulfilling His will, there will always be adversaries seeking to hinder their progress. The story of Ezra and the rebuilding of the temple serves as a reminder that perseverance, faith, and reliance on God are essential in overcoming opposition and completing the work God has called us to do. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us in the New Testament that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil. We too may encounter challenges and resistance as we seek to follow God and fulfill His purposes in our lives, just as the Jewish people faced opposition from external forces. This passage in Ezra serves as a powerful example of the need to trust in God’s sovereignty and to press on in the face of opposition, knowing that He is faithful to accomplish His will in and through us.

Ezra 4:17-22

Several key elements mentioned in Ezra 4:17-22 are crucial to understanding the context of the verse. Let’s break down these verses into important sections for detailed commentary.

  1. “The king sent this reply: To Rehum the commanding officer, Shimshai the secretary, and the rest of their associates living in Samaria and elsewhere in Trans-Euphrates: Greetings. King Artaxerxes communicates with Rehum the commanding officer, Shimshai the secretary, and their associates living in Samaria in this opening section. This communication signifies the authority and power of the king in the region. King Artaxerxes was a historical figure ruling the Persian Empire during this time, and his influence and decisions were highly significant.

  2. “The letter you sent us has been read and translated in my presence.”

This statement indicates that the king was fully aware of the contents of the letter that had been sent to him by the adversaries of the Jews. The king’s acknowledgment of the letter shows his attention to detail and his involvement in the matter at hand, which adds weight to the ensuing decisions and actions.

  1. “I issued an order and a search was made, and it was found that this city has a long history of revolt against kings and has been a place of rebellion and sedition.”

Here, the king’s officials mention an order given by the king leading to an investigation into the history of Jerusalem. The search revealed that Jerusalem had a troubled past marked by rebellion against kings. This historical context was used by the adversaries of the Jews to persuade the king to take action against the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.

  1. “Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them.”

This statement highlights the significance of Jerusalem in the past, where powerful kings ruled over the region beyond the Euphrates River. The mention of taxes, tribute, and duty being paid underscores the political and financial implications associated with the control of Jerusalem.

  1. “Now issue an order to these men to stop work so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order. The king conveys his decree in the final section, instructing that the work on rebuilding the city of Jerusalem should cease until further orders are given. This decision was a setback for the Jewish people, who were trying to restore their temple and establish their place of worship once again. Recognizing the historical and political dynamics at play during this time is essential in understanding these verses. The opposition faced by the Jews in rebuilding the temple underscores the challenges and opposition that often arise when trying to follow God’s commands and re-establish his worship. The interference from adversaries, citing historical reasons to halt the work, serves as a reminder of the spiritual battles believers may face when seeking to fulfill God’s will.

The Book of Ezra and the broader context of the Bible emphasize themes of perseverance, faith in the face of obstacles, and the sovereignty of God over earthly rulers and circumstances. Despite the temporary halt in the rebuilding of Jerusalem, later chapters in Ezra reveal how the Jewish people, with God’s help, overcome these challenges and ultimately complete the reconstruction of the temple. This serves as a testament to God’s faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises to His people, despite the schemes of men.

Ezra 4:23-24

Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates went in haste to the Jews at Jerusalem by force and power as soon as they read the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter in Ezra 4:23-24. At that time, Tattenai the governor of the region beyond the River and Shethar-Boznai and their companions came to them and spoke thus to them: ‘Who has commanded you to build this temple and finish this wall?’”

This passage is a crucial juncture in the book of Ezra where we witness opposition to the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. King Artaxerxes’s letter had been presented to Rehum, Shimshai, and their companions, leading to a swift and forceful reaction against the Jewish people carrying out the construction work. Tattenai, the governor of the region beyond the River, and Shethar-Boznai, along with their supporters, questioned the authority and mandate the Jews had for rebuilding the temple and walls of Jerusalem.

This event highlights the constant challenges and opposition faced by God’s people when they endeavor to fulfill His plans. Throughout the Bible, we see how the enemies of God attempt to hinder His work and obstruct His people. Believers must remain steadfast in the face of such opposition, relying on God’s strength and trusting in His promises. This passage underscores the importance of perseverance, faith, and obedience to God’s calling, even in the midst of adversity.

The inquiry posed by Tattenai and his companions echoes themes found elsewhere in the Bible, where God’s people are questioned or challenged regarding their devotion and service to Him. Adversaries like Sanballat and Tobiah sought to impede the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem through intimidation and accusations in Nehemiah. However, Nehemiah remained resolute and turned to God in prayer for strength and guidance, ultimately completing the task despite the opposition. God’s purposes cannot be thwarted by human opposition or schemes in the broader context of the Bible. The story of the rebuilding of the temple in Ezra parallels the greater narrative of God’s redemptive plan for His people. Jesus Christ fulfills and surpasses the symbolism of the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem by becoming the ultimate sacrifice and the cornerstone of the spiritual temple (Ephesians 2:20-22).

Therefore, in contemplating Ezra 4:23-24, believers are encouraged to persevere in the face of challenges, trusting in God’s sovereignty and provision. The opposition faced by the Jews in rebuilding the temple serves as a reminder that God’s work requires determination, prayer, and a reliance on His strength. Christians today may encounter obstacles when seeking to carry out God’s will, but through faith and obedience, they can overcome through the power of God, just as the Jews faced opposition in fulfilling their commission.

After Ezra 4

The people of the land tried to discourage the Jews from rebuilding the temple. They wrote a letter to the king, accusing the Jews of rebellion. The king ordered the work to stop. For many years, the temple lay unfinished.

But the prophets Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the people to continue the work. They reminded the people that God had called them to rebuild the temple. With renewed vigor, the people resumed construction.

Though the enemies of the Jews continued to oppose them, the people persevered. They knew that the temple was not just a building, but a symbol of their covenant with God. With faith and determination, they pressed on, trusting that the Lord would see them through.