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Ezra 4 Rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem

1 Opposition to the Rebuilding
When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel,

2 they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, “Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.”

3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, “You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us.”

4 Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.

5 They hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.

6 Later Opposition Under Xerxes and Artaxerxes
At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, they lodged an accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.

7 And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. The letter was written in Aramaic script and in the Aramaic language.

8 Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows:

9 Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary, together with the rest of their associates—the judges and officials over the men from Tripolis, Persia, Erech and Babylon, the Elamites of Susa,

10 and the other people whom the great and honorable Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the city of Samaria and elsewhere in Trans-Euphrates.

11 (This is a copy of the letter they sent him.)
To King Artaxerxes,
From your servants, the men of Trans-Euphrates:

12 The king should know that the Jews who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations.

13 Furthermore, the king should know that if this city is built and its walls are restored, no more taxes, tribute or duty will be paid, and the royal revenues will suffer.

14 Now since we are under obligation to the palace and it is not proper for us to see the king dishonored, we are sending this message to inform the king,

15 so that a search may be made in the archives of your predecessors. In these records you will find that this city is a rebellious city, troublesome to kings and provinces, a place of rebellion from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed.

16 We inform the king that if this city is built and its walls are restored, you will be left with nothing in Trans-Euphrates.

17 The king sent this reply:
To Rehum the commanding officer, Shimshai the secretary and the rest of their associates living in Samaria and elsewhere in Trans-Euphrates:
Greetings.

18 The letter you sent us has been read and translated in my presence.

19 I issued an order and a search was made, and it was found that this city has a long history of revolt against kings and has been a place of rebellion and sedition.

20 Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them.

21 Now issue an order to these men to stop work, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.

22 Be careful not to neglect this matter. Why let this threat grow, to the detriment of the royal interests?

23 As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai the secretary and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop.

24 Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

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Analysis of Ezra Chapter 4

Ezra Chapter 4 narrates the opposition faced by the Israelites during the reconstruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. This chapter is pivotal in understanding the challenges and setbacks encountered by the Jewish community post-exile, and it highlights the resilience and determination of the leaders in overcoming adversarial forces. The text is rich with historical, cultural, and theological significance, providing a profound insight into the period of restoration under Persian rule.

Verses 1-3: The Initial Opposition

1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the Lord God of Israel,

The reference to “adversaries of Judah and Benjamin” sets the tone for the challenges to come. These adversaries are likely the Samaritans and other local inhabitants who were either resettled in the region by the Assyrians or local people opposing the Persian policies. They viewed the rebuilding effort as a threat to their influence and control.

2 they came to Zerubbabel and the heads of the fathers’ houses, and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do; and we have sacrificed to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.”

The offer to assist in the rebuilding might seem like a gesture of goodwill, but it is essential to understand the underlying motivations. The people making the offer had a syncretistic form of worship, combining elements of their native religions with the worship of Yahweh. Their inclusion could potentially dilute the purity of the Jewish religion that Zerubbabel and Jeshua were trying to restore.

3 But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel said to them, “You may do nothing with us to build a house for our God; but we alone will build to the Lord God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”

The response from Zerubbabel and the other leaders is decisive and unambiguous. They recognize the potential threat to their religious integrity and take a firm stance. This decision reflects a determination to maintain control over the religious and cultural direction of their community, even if it means facing opposition.

Verses 4-5: Active Opposition

4 Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building,

The tactics shift from offers of cooperation to outright opposition. The adversaries resort to psychological warfare, attempting to demoralize and dishearten the people of Judah. The term “tried to discourage” suggests systematic efforts to undermine their resolve.

5 and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Hiring counselors indicates a more sophisticated approach to opposition, involving political and legal maneuvering to create obstacles. The period of opposition spans multiple reigns, highlighting the persistent and prolonged nature of these adversarial actions. Despite the initial decree of Cyrus supporting the rebuilding, there is evidently room for local officials to exert influence and cause delays.

Verses 6-16: Letter to Artaxerxes

6 At the beginning of the reign of Ahasuerus, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

The opposition intensifies with the change in leadership, as new opportunities arise to influence the central authority. The mention of Ahasuerus (likely Xerxes I) points to continued resistance from external forces seeking to stymie the progress of the Jewish rebuilders.

7 In the days of Artaxerxes also, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabel, and the rest of their companions wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the letter was written in Aramaic script, and translated into the Aramaic language.

The involvement of multiple individuals in writing to Artaxerxes underscores a coordinated effort. Using the Aramaic script, the lingua franca of the Persian Empire, ensures that their grievances are accessible and can be formally addressed at the highest levels of government.

8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes in this fashion:

This section proceeds to detail the contents of the letter, and for the sake of brevity, we’ll summarize its significant elements.

  1. Verses 9-10: The letter introduces the authors and their authority, listing officials and emphasizing their collective concern.
  2. Verses 11-16: The letter accuses the Jews of being rebellious and seditious, warning that the re-establishment of Jerusalem and the Temple would lead to withholding taxes and reducing revenue for the king. This argument is designed to appeal to the king’s economic interests and governance stability.

The opponents cleverly frame their concerns in terms that would resonate with Persian administrative priorities, portraying the Jews not merely as rivals but as threats to the empire’s stability.

Verses 17-22: King’s Response

17 The king sent an answer: To Rehum the commander, to Shimshai the scribe, to the rest of their companions who dwell in Samaria, and to the remainder beyond the River:

Artaxerxes’ response is formal and authoritative, addressing the local officials directly. This formality underscores the seriousness with which the king regards the situation.

18 The letter which you sent to us has been clearly read before me.

The king acknowledges receipt and review of the letter, providing legitimacy to the concerns raised.

19 And I gave the command, and a search has been made, and it was found that this city in former times has revolted against kings, and rebellion and sedition have been fostered in it.

The search into historical records confirms past rebellions linked to Jerusalem, reinforcing the concerns raised by the letter writers. This historical context is critical as it justifies the decision made by the king.

20 There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the region beyond the River; and tax, tribute, and custom were paid to them.

By highlighting the historical significance and influence of Jerusalem, Artaxerxes underscores the potential threat posed by its reconstruction. This acknowledgment emphasizes that the issue is not merely local but of wider imperial significance.

21 Now give the command to make these men cease, that this city may not be built until the command is given by me.

The mandate to stop building is clear and unequivocal. It places the onus on the local officials to enforce this decree, thereby halting the progress of the Jewish rebuilders. The phrase “until the command is given by me” leaves a door open for future reconsideration, but it effectively pauses the project for the present.

22 Take heed now that you do not fail to do this. Why should damage increase to the hurt of the kings?

This verse reiterates the urgency and importance of compliance with the royal decree. Artaxerxes is explicit in connecting the potential continuance of construction with negative consequences for royal authority and governance.

Verse 23: Implementation of the Decree

23 Now when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem against the Jews, and by force of arms made them cease.

The swift and forceful implementation of the decree by Rehum, Shimshai, and their companions demonstrates their eagerness to carry out the king’s orders. The use of force underscores the seriousness of the opposition and the degree of their commitment to stopping the Jews’ work.

Verse 24: Stoppage of Construction

24 Thus the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem ceased, and it was discontinued until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

This concluding verse summarizes the impact of the opposition: the work on the Temple ceases. The reference to the reign of Darius indicates that this halt lasted for some time, implying a period of stagnation and frustration for the Jewish community. The mention of Darius sets up the next phase of the narrative, where efforts to resume construction will eventually succeed.

Conclusion: Themes and Insights

Ezra Chapter 4 offers several critical insights and themes:

  • Resilience in the Face of Opposition: The Jewish leaders’ initial resistance to external assistance demonstrates their commitment to religious and cultural purity. Their eventual perseverance, as foreshadowed in subsequent chapters, highlights the theme of resilience.
  • Political and Social Dynamics: The chapter vividly illustrates the complex political and social dynamics of the period. The opposition’s strategic use of political channels and legal arguments underscores the multifaceted nature of their antagonism.
  • Impact of Leadership Changes: The changing Persian kings, from Cyrus to Artaxerxes, impact the progress of the Jewish community. This reflects the broader theme of how political changes at the top can influence local affairs significantly.
  • Divine Providence: Implicit in the narrative is a sense of divine providence and testing. The setback serves to test the resolve and faith of the Jewish people, a common theme in the Biblical narrative.

Ezra Chapter 4, while depicting a period of significant challenge, sets the stage for the eventual triumph and restoration of the Jewish community. It provides a poignant reminder of the persistent struggles and the enduring faith that marks their journey. This chapter encapsulates not just a historical event but a timeless story of faith against adversity, making it a powerful and instructive part of the Biblical narrative.