The Book of Ezra relates the history of the returning Jews to their homeland after 70 years of dominion under the kings of Babylon. It demonstrates the ways of God with a remnant that returns after general failure in what had been entrusted to them. The process began with the commission of Cyrus, king of Persia, for the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the house of their God. In the second verse of Ezra, Cyrus states that the God of heaven had given him the kingdoms of the earth and had charged him to build house in Jerusalem. He invited the people of the Jews to go to Jerusalem “and build the house of the Lord God of Israel.” The invitation was individual and many responded together with their families. Others helped them with goods but stayed in Babylon. Close to 50,000 went back, but it was only a partial return—a remnant. Cyrus sent with them vessels from the temple that had been kept in Babylon since the captivity. Each person was entrusted with something to carry back to Jerusalem.
They Build an Altar
The first thing they did when they arrived at the ruined city of Jerusalem was to build an altar to the Lord. They celebrated the feast of tabernacles and commenced the daily burnt offerings, with other sacrifices and offerings. They praised the Lord and began building the foundations of the temple. We read of no opposition in chapter 3, but that was not to last long. The enemies in the land weaken the hands of the builders and hire counsellors against them. The sequel in chapters 4-6 is a lesson on how God works with the rulers of the world concerning the remnant of His people for their preservation and testimony to His name.
The Order to Stop
The adversaries of Judah raised up opposition throughout the successive reigns of the kings of Persia. During the short reign of Ahasuerus (Smerdis), a letter was sent to him from the adversaries of the men of Judah, which in turn resulted in the king issuing an order for the building to stop. The adversaries promptly went up to Jerusalem and made the men of Judah cease by force and power. So the building ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius (Hystaspes). Though the historical order of events regarding these kings is not clearly evident, it is clear that God allowed sudden changes of kings in the Medo-Persian empire at that time. Among other reasons, it was for the sake of the remnant of Israel at Jerusalem.
Now we may ask why the Lord would allow a difficulty such as this order from the king to stop building? Why this change from the original decree? Had not God moved Cyrus to open the door for the Jews to return and build the temple? Were they to submit to the authority of the Gentile kings? This was a test from God. He was searching their hearts to prove them and to strengthen their faith in Him. It was not sufficient for the Jews to build only according to the directives of Cyrus. The rebuilding of the temple must be on more solid ground. They must act in faith to Jehovah. They were God’s people, representatives of Jehovah. He was reestablishing them as His priests in Jerusalem, but the Gentile kings would continue to rule. God was over them all. The Jews, being a remnant seeking to recover what had been lost, could not just return and carry on from where things were before the captivity. God had chastised them and removed them from their privileged place because of sin and failure. These things must be addressed. God was using their adversaries to cause them to address these issues. He allowed the king to order a stop in the work. They must buy the truth.
The Prophesies of Haggai and Zechariah
At that time Haggai and Zechariah prophesied in the name of the God of Israel to those in Jerusalem and Judah. Haggai told them, first of all, to “consider their ways” (Hag. 1:55Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. (Haggai 1:5)). They had continued building their own houses but not the Lord’s. Then Haggai conveyed the message from the Lord, “I am with you” (Hag. 1:1313Then spake Haggai the Lord's messenger in the Lord's message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the Lord. (Haggai 1:13)). After going through these exercises of soul, they received a mandate directly from the Lord. It was proper for them to obey and proceed with the building. God communicated to them through the two prophets. He could give orders through the prophets as well as through the kings of the Gentiles. This begs the question: Should they obey the king? Or should they obey the prophet? Zerubbabel and Jeshua together with the prophets began to build again.
“What Are the Names?”
Tatnai the governor of the adjoining region heard of it and came to ask who had commanded them to build. They wanted to know the names of those who were building, no doubt, so they could be reported. The answer given to the question shows the fruit of the exercise they had gone through. They simply leave it as it had been stated: “What are the names of the men that make this building?” In other words, the names of the builders were insignificant. No names are given. The real issue was the order to build. In order to substantiate this, the men of Judah must go back and recognize their past history. So they say, “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up. 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. But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God” (Ezra 5:11-1311And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up. 12But 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. 13But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God. (Ezra 5:11‑13)). This was a recognition of their relationship to God and of their past failure in that relationship which brought the judgment of God on them. The little remnant did not take high ground concerning their own righteousness; rather, they took the ground of servants of the God of heaven and earth. He was the One who had caused Nebuchadnezzar to carry them away. Now they had returned under God’s authority and that of Cyrus. This is the position every remnant should take.
The King’s Response
When these matters were sent in a letter to King Darius, who had been recently made ruler, the king called for a search in the house of the rolls. It was found that indeed Cyrus had made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem. The decree was made about 17 years previously. The king then sent a response back to Tatnai the governor. Tatnai was told in no uncertain terms to allow the Jews to build; additionally he was ordered to help with the expenses. Provisions also were to be given for the building, including animals for the “burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem” (Ezra 6:99And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail: (Ezra 6:9)). “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,” and the Lord turned his heart to allow the building to continue.
Remnant Position
The remnant of Jews took their proper place in recognizing their past failure and in turning to the Lord. He gave them His word through the prophets to build, and they began building, even without another order from the king. He honored their faith. How often we like to take matters into our own hands when things go wrong. But they did not send a letter to the king to contradict the letter of their enemies. On the other hand, when adversity comes, we may just give up, doing very little, or nothing. They rose up and built when everything was contrary. The little remnant demonstrated their faith in the Lord, having judged in themselves what their forefathers had not judged. The command to stop building was allowed to bring all this to fruition.
Our place in the Christian testimony today is like that of the remnant of the Jews who returned to Jerusalem. Such a place cannot be based on the premise that we are better than others, or have better teaching and piety. Nor should we give up building because of lack of help from others. God would have us build His house. He has called us to build (1 Cor. 3:1919For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. (1 Corinthians 3:19); 2 Tim. 2:2121If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. (2 Timothy 2:21)). When opposition comes, we must look to Him in faith. He has said, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)). Individually, when we hear Him saying, “I am with you,” we can count on Him to open the doors, as He said to those who kept His word and did not deny His name in Philadelphia. “I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it” (Rev. 3:88I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (Revelation 3:8)).
D. C. Buchanan