Ezra 5
The opening verse of chapter 5 introduces us to two prophets who God uses to jump start the rebuilding project after it had languished for years—from the early years of Cyrus’ reign (a twenty-year period: 550 – 530 BC) until the “second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia” (4:24). Haggai and Zechariah step forward and “prophesied to the Jews who were in Jerusalem and Judah” (5:1). In his commentary on Ezra, Mervin Breneman writes: “The messages recorded in the Book of Haggai were delivered between August and December 520 b.c. Temple construction was resumed in September. Zechariah’s messages began in October, and his last dated message was delivered in February 519.”
Haggai calls out the Jews for shifting their priorities from building God’s house to constructing their own (Hag 1:2-4). These two prophets speak to the exiles to reorient their priorities and also to restore their confidence in God. They spoke “in the name of the God of Israel who was over them” (5:1). They help the returned exiles to see God ruling over the Persian rulers who had ordered the building project to stop.
Emboldened by the prophetic preaching of Haggai and Zechariah, Zerubbabel and Jeshua “arose and began to rebuild the house of God” (5:2). To keep the builders strong in faith and action, Haggai and Zechariah stay “with them, supporting them” (5:2). This combination of preaching and building causes the work to “prosper”. That’s the assessment of the local officials who report to the Persian king (5:8). It’s also the view of Ezra, who chronicles these important invents: “And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo” (6:14).
As the work recommences, so does the opposition. Word of the renewed energy to rebuild the temple reaches Tattenai, governor of the province Beyond the River (5:3). Accompanied by other officials, Tattenai pays a visit to Jerusalem and has two questions for the builders: 1) “Who gave you a decree to build this house?” and 2) “What are the names of the men who are building this building?” (5:3-4). Tattenai wants this information for a report he will send to Darius, asking for “his pleasure in this matter” (5:17).
While this inquiry qualifies as another example of the way the “people of the land” sought to discourage and intimidate the builders (4:4), God’s protective oversight of the project ensures the work will proceed while they await the king’s decision: “But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until the report should reach Darius and then an answer be returned by letter concerning it” (5:5).
A copy of Tattenai’s letter is recorded in verses 6-17. It reports Tattenai’s investigation into the building of “the house of the great God,” an impressive structure constructed with “huge stones and timber” (5:8). It contains the Jewish elders’ answer to Tattenai’s two questions: 1) Cyrus king of Babylon “made a decree that this house of God should be rebuilt” (5:13); 2) the main leader at the start of the work was Sheshbazzar, governor of Judea (5:14-16). The way Sheshbazzar is described (“to one whose name was Sheshbazzar”—5:14), seems to indicate he no longer held the position of governor; perhaps this is why Sheshbazzar is the only name given by the builders in answer to Tattenai’s second question.
Tattenai’s letter to Darius concludes with a respectful request: “if it seems good to the king, let search be made in the royal archives there in Babylon, to see whether a decree was issued by Cyrus the king for the rebuilding of this house of God in Jerusalem. And let the king send us his pleasure in the matter” (5:17).
Knowing God: understanding His person and ways
God uses prophetic preaching to motivate and encourage His servants in His work. The scare tactics brought by the surrounding peoples had effectively curtailed the work on the Temple. On top of that, the Jews had shifted their energies to build “paneled houses” for themselves (Hag 1:4). To get construction on the Temple going again, the Lord speaks to His people through the prophets Haggai and Zechariah (5:1). Their words not only motivate the returned exiles to get back to work on God’s house, but their preaching also energizes the builders to work “diligently” until completion (5:8; 6:14). In our day, God still uses prophetic preaching to inspire and ignite participation in His work. Prophetic preaching exhorts, confronting apathy and calling believers back to God’s agenda. Prophetic preaching also encourages, strengthening and sustaining the diligent efforts of those on mission.
God’s providential oversight allows His purposes to advance. Why did Tattenai and friends not demand a work stoppage while waiting for the king’s reply to their report? Ezra 5:5 tells us: “But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they [Tattenai and associates] did not stop them.” God’s involvement in history can be seen in what happens, and also in what doesn’t happen. Remarkably, Tattenai does not force the Jews to stop building while awaiting the king’s reply. Instead, the work continued during the consultation. God’s “eye” on His people (like His “good hand”—8:18, 22) allows His work to proceed though contested by government officials or other influential leaders.
Joining God: moving with God on mission
God’s servants should be both honest and wise when dealing with civic officials. Tattenai and his associates confront the builders, requesting proof of royal permission to build the Temple and demanding the names of the project leaders (5:9-10). Zerubbabel and Jeshua answer with honesty and wisdom. They detail the official permission given in the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia (5:13). They are candid and clear regarding permission to rebuild. However, when it comes to giving names, they are cagey. The only name Tattenai gets from them is Sheshbazzar, who no longer seems to be actively involved. The names of the current leaders are conspicuously absent from Tattenai’s report. Those involved in those leading God’s work today can learn from their example: respond to outside officials honestly but shrewdly; speak truthfully without giving potentially damaging information.
Prophetic preaching starts and sustains God’s servants as they do His work. What motivated the discouraged, distracted Jews to get back to rebuilding the Temple? What strengthened them when challenged by Tattenai? What sustained them until the project was completed? The answer to all these questions is the same: the prophetic proclamation of God’s Word. First, Haggai and Zechariah prophesy (5:1); “then Zerubbabel . . . and Jeshua . . . arose and began to rebuild the house of God” (5:2). Throughout the rebuilding project, even when it was contested by Tattenai’s team, “the prophets of God were with them, supporting them” (5:2). In chapter 6, Ezra sums up the impact of Haggai and Zechariah’s prophetic preaching this way: “And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo” (6:14). God’s servants still need the ongoing support of faithful, biblical proclamation to start and sustain their kingdom efforts. God uses preaching to empower His people to make progress.
Rick and Linda Reed 