Ezra 5
Ezra 5 covers the scene in which, after the rebuilding of the temple is temporarily halted, God moves to have the people restart the work through the prophets. In this process, the people of Judah and Benjamin regain their strength, begin rebuilding the temple, and as a result, interference and inquiries from regional officials continue. The entire chapter depicts a faith journey that keeps going amid God’s guidance, the people’s obedience, and the attention and questions from outside as well.
1verseNow 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.
2verseThen 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.
3verseAt 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?”
4verseThey also asked for the names of the men who were making this building.
5verseBut 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.
6verseThe 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.
7verseThey sent a letter to him, in which was written: To Darius the king, all peace.
8verseBe it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is being built with great stones and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on with diligence and prospers in their hands.
9verseThen we asked those elders, and said to them thus, “Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?”
10verseWe asked them their names also, to inform you that we might write the names of the men who were at their head.
11verseThus 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.
12verseBut 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.
13verseBut in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree to build this house of God.
14verseThe 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.
15verseHe 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.’
16verseThen 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.
17verseNow 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 by Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem; and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.”
Structure and Flow of the Chapter
- Verses 1–2: The prophets Haggai and Zechariah proclaim the word of the LORD and give courage to the people. Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the remaining people begin rebuilding the temple again.
- Verses 3–5: During the reign of King Darius, Tatnai, the governor west of the Euphrates, and other officials come and ask about the legality of the construction. However, God helps the elders of Judah so that the work is not halted.
- Verses 6–17: The governors send detailed letters to report the matter to King Darius. The letters record the circumstances of the temple construction and the answers of the elders of Judah (that the building was carried out according to the decree of King Cyrus).
Key Message
This chapter emphasizes that obedience to God’s will must continue even amid opposition and obstruction from the outside. The chapter highlights the people who proclaim God’s word, the leaders who obey it, and the way God directly intervenes to protect the people’s work. It also shows the attitude of the Jews, who handle every process transparently, along with the procedural responses of the governors, who raise issues based on historical grounds.
Points to Ponder
- God’s Word and Obedience: In a time when the people were discouraged, God’s word gives strength again and the work of history resumes. When facing problems in our lives, are we seeking God’s word?
- Attention from the Outside: Questions and surveillance always accompany the work of faith. However, if God’s help is present, we can be bold.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- When you want to begin a new obedience again in the midst of difficulty, let’s consider what lifts you up through God’s word.
- You will learn that you need courage to move forward faithfully even amid attention and interruptions from those around you, or unexpected challenges.
