Ezra 5

Ezra 5:3-17

Here is, 1. The building renewed, ver. 1, 2. 2. The governors treat them more mildly, and make a fairer representation of the matter to the king, ver. 3—17.

1. ¶ THEN the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them. 2. Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.

v. 1, 2. About fifteen years the building seems to have continued at a stand, till God by his prophets routed the people to the work.

1. The persons sent of God were Haggai and Zechariah, whose prophecies are preferred. They prophesied unto them, or against them; reproved them for their lukewarmness, and provoked them to renew the building. Note, (1.) Manikins must be faithful reprovers, and urge the fuggists builders to live work. (2.) When God rules up zealous preachers of his word, then there is hope the wall will be built.

2. The effect of their prophecy was soon evident. Zerubbabel and Jeshua immediately set themselves to the work, and the prophets helped them; so that the people once more work vigour began to build. Note, (1.) They who are first in fashion, should be first to promote every good work. (2.) The help of the prophets is the most essential part towards the establishment of the spiritual church: though a good magistrate can do much, a good minister can do more.

3. ¶ At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall? 4. Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building? 5. But the eye of their God was upon the children of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter. 6. ¶ The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and his companions the Aphartarchites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king: 7. They sent a letter unto him, whereas was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace. 8. Be it known unto the king that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands. 9. Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls? 10. We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them. 11. And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was built there many years ago, which a great king of Israel built, and set up. 12. But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon. 13. But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon, the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God. 14. And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem,

a. Kings row, 1. 2. Chord. seven. 13. 3. Child. Listed up in not. 4. Kings in 4. 5. Chord. seven. 5. 6. 1. Com. row, 6. 7. Chord. seven. 11. 8. 1. Com. row, 7. 9. 1. Ind. blithe a decom. 8. 1. Prod. 10. 3. Child. Arm.

and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Shethbazzar, whom he had made a governor. 15. And said unto him, Take these vessels, go carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be built in his place. 16. Then came the same Shethbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem. And since that time even until now, hath it been in building, and yet it is not built. 17. Now therefore, if it been good to the king, let there be search made in the king’s treasure-house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be in 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.

No sooner began the work to revive, than the authority of their neighbours began to appear.

1. The governors of Samaria, who had succeeded the former in their office, probably at the beginning of the new reign of Darius, immediately enquired into the authority on which the Jews proceeded. They were not however afraid or ashamed to produce their charter, and to give in the name of the principal authors of this good work; God encouraging them, and strengthening them to persevere, till the matter came before Darius, to whom they appealed. N. 1. (1.) If God’s eye be upon us for good, we need not fear what man can do unto us. (2.) The comfortable presence of God should quicken and enliven us to greater diligence in his service.

2. The governors Tatnai and Shethar-boznai hereupon dispatched a letter to the king, informing him of what was doing, and defining his directions; and herein they acted with much greater candor and honesty than their predecessors, representing the true state of the fact. After wishing the king prosperity and all earthly happiness, they inform him, that they had visited the province of Judea, and observed there a magnificent structure raiding to the great God whom the Jews worshipped, which was carried on with affidavit and zeal; that, on enquiring into the authority on which they preformed thus to act, they received for answers. That this house, which a great king among them had formerly erected, and for their sins God had suffered Nebuchadnezzar to destroy, Cyrus had given them a commission to rebuild, and restored to them with the vessels which had been carried to Babylon; in consequence of which, they had proceeded under the direction of Shethbazzar, their prince; and that ever since they had been at work upon it, though, by reason of the interruptions they had met, it was not yet finished. They beg therefore, if the king pleaded, search might be made in the records, respecting the truth of this decree in their favour, and that he would inform them of his pleasure in the matter. N. 1. (1.) We should ever reflect with shame on the sins which have provoked God’s vibrations. (2.) If the people of God can but obtain a fair hearing, they need not fear for their cause. (3.) Many an unjust sentence hath gone forth against the faithful, not so much from malice in the magistrate, as from the misinformation of their enemies. (4.) Truth, the long suppressed, will usually at last prevail.