1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel;
2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye [do]; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.
3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.
4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,
5 And hired counsellers 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, wrote they [unto him] an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter [was] written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.
8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
9 Then [wrote] Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, [and] the Elamites,
10 And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest [that are] on this side the river, and at such a time.
11 This [is] the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, [even] unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.
12 Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls [thereof], and joined the foundations.
13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up [again, then] will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and [so] thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.
14 Now because we have maintenance from [the king’s] palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king’s dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;
15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city [is] a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.
16 We certify the king that, if this city be builded [again], and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.
17 [Then] sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and [to] Shimshai the scribe, and [to] the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and [unto] the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.
18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
19 And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and [that] rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all [countries] beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
21 Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until [another] commandment shall be given from me.
22 Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes’ letter [was] read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which [is] at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Overview of Ezra Chapter 4
Ezra Chapter 4 narrates the challenges faced by the Jewish exiles who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple after their Babylonian captivity. The chapter highlights the opposition they encountered from surrounding peoples and the political maneuvers that hindered their efforts.
Key Themes
- Opposition to Rebuilding: The chapter illustrates the resistance from neighboring groups who were threatened by the restoration of Jerusalem and the temple.
- Political Intrigue: The use of letters and appeals to Persian authorities demonstrates the political landscape of the time and how it affected the rebuilding efforts.
- Faith and Perseverance: Despite the challenges, the commitment of the Jewish people to rebuild their temple reflects their faith and determination.
Summary of Events
- Initial Opposition (Verses 1-3):
When the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin learned that the exiles were rebuilding the temple, they offered to help. However, their offer was rejected by Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the heads of the families, who insisted that the rebuilding should be done solely by the Jewish people.
- Intensifying Opposition (Verses 4-5):
The adversaries then attempted to discourage the people of Judah, hiring counselors to frustrate their plans and sowing discord throughout the reign of King Cyrus and into the reign of King Darius.
- Letter to King Artaxerxes (Verses 6-16):
A letter was sent to King Artaxerxes, accusing the Jews of being rebellious and highlighting the history of Jerusalem as a city that caused trouble for kings. The letter urged the king to investigate and stop the rebuilding efforts.
- Response from King Artaxerxes (Verses 17-22):
The king’s reply instructed that the building should cease until further notice, reflecting the influence of the adversaries and the power dynamics of the time.
- Ceasing of the Work (Verses 23-24):
As a result of the king’s decree, the work on the temple was halted, and it remained so until the second year of the reign of King Darius.
Character Analysis
- Zerubbabel: A leader among the exiles, he exemplifies determination and faithfulness in the face of opposition.
- Jeshua: The high priest who stands alongside Zerubbabel, representing the spiritual leadership of the Jewish community.
- Adversaries: The groups opposing the Jews, including the Samaritans, illustrate the external threats to the Jewish identity and religious practices.
- King Artaxerxes: His decisions reflect the political complexities of the time and the influence of local power dynamics on the Jewish community.
Theological Implications
This chapter raises important theological questions about the nature of opposition faced by believers. It suggests that faith does not guarantee an absence of struggle; rather, it often coexists with challenges. The chapter also emphasizes the sovereignty of God in guiding the course of history, even when circumstances appear unfavorable.
Conclusion
Ezra Chapter 4 serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience of the Jewish people in their quest to restore their temple and identity amidst adversity. The themes of opposition, political maneuvering, and faith are woven throughout the narrative, providing valuable lessons for contemporary readers regarding perseverance in the face of challenges.
