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Ezra Chapter Five

 

Ezra 5

Chapter Contents

The leaders forward the building of the temple. (1 2) letter against the Jews. (3-17)

Commentary on Ezra 5:1 2

(Read Ezra 5:1 2)

The building of the temple was stopped about fifteen years. Then they had two good ministers who urged them to go on with the work. It is a sign that God has mercy in store for a people when he raises up prophets to be helpers in the way and work of God as guides overseers and rulers. In Haggai we see what great things God does by his word which he magnifies above all his name and by his Spirit working with it.

Commentary on Ezra 5:3-17

(Read Ezra 5:3-17)

While employed in God's work we are under his special protection; his eye is upon us for good. This should keep us to our duty and encourage us therein when difficulties are ever so discouraging. The elders of the Jews gave the Samaritans an account of their proceedings. Let us learn hence with meekness and fear to give a reason of the hope that is in us; let us rightly understand and then readily declare what we do in God's service and why we do it. And while in this world we always shall have to confess that our sins have provoked the wrath of God. All our sufferings spring from thence and all our comforts from his unmerited mercy. However the work may seem to be hindered yet the Lord Jesus Christ is carrying it on his people are growing unto a holy temple in the Lord for a habitation of God through the Spirit.

── Matthew HenryConcise Commentary on Ezra

 

Ezra 5

Verse 1

[1] Then the prophets Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel even unto them.

The son — His grand-child; for he was the son of Baraciah.

Prophesied — Commanding them from God to return to building the temple with a promise of his favour and assistance.

Verse 2

[2] Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.

Helping — Encouraging the people to work by their presence and assurance of success. It is supposed the work had stopt about fifteen years. The first chapter of Haggai is the best comment on these two verses.

Verse 3

[3] At the same time came to them Tatnai governor on this side the river and Shetharboznai and their companions and said thus unto them Who hath commanded you to build this house and to make up this wall?

Shethar-boznai — Not Rehum and Shimshai etc. who were either dead or removed from their office by Darius.

Verse 4

[4] Then said we unto them after this manner What are the names of the men that make this building?

We — Jews.

Accordingly — According to what they asked.

That made this building — That were the undertakers and encouragers of it.

Verse 8

[8] Be it known unto the king that we went into the province of Judea to the house of the great God which is builded with great stones and timber is laid in the walls and this work goeth fast on and prospereth in their hands.

Great God — And indeed thus far the greater part of the Samaritans agreed with them.

Verse 17

[17] Now therefore if it seem good to the king let there be search made in the king's treasure house which is there at Babylon whether it be so that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.

Now therefore. … — If the case had been so fairly stated to Artaxerxes he would hardly have hindered the work. The people of God could not be persecuted if they were not belied.

── John WesleyExplanatory Notes on Ezra

                             

 

05 Chapter 5

 

Verse 1

Ezra 5:1; Ezra 5:9

Then the prophets Haggai.

The great work resumed

The best commentary on these verses is the first chapter of Haggai.

I. The inciters to the west.

1. Want of interest in the work is implied.

2. Obligation to perform the work is implied.

3. Exhortations to resume the work were given.

II. The leaders in the work. “Then rose up Zerubbabel ” etc.

1. They resumed the work readily.

2. They led the work appropriately. “Those that are in places of dignity and power ought with their dignity to put honour upon and with their power to put life into every good work.”

3. They led work influentially. The example of those who occupy high stations is--

III. The helpers in the work. “The prophets.” They assisted by their--

1. Exhortations to vigorous prosecution of the work.

2. Assurances of the presence of God with them.

3. Promises of future blessings from God to them.

IV. The great first cause of the work. “ The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel ” etc. “All holy desires all good counsels and all just works do proceed” from Him. “I will build My Church ” said our Lord to Peter. All the inspiration wisdom etc. of the under-builders come from him. Learn--

1. The insidious nature of worldliness.

2. The value of faithful ministers.

3. The solemn obligation of men in eminent stations. (William Jones.)

Hebrew prophets in unfavourable times

The Hebrew prophets came when the circumstances of society were least favourable. Like painters arising to adorn a dingy city like poets singing of summer in the winter of discontent like flowers in the wilderness like wells in the desert they brought life and strength and gladness to the helpless and despondent because they came from God. The literary form of their work reflected the civilisation of their day but there was on it a light that never shone on sea or shore and this they knew to be the light of God. We never find a true religious revival springing from the spirit of the age. Such a revival always begins in one or two choice souls--in a Moses a Samuel a John the Baptist a St. Bernard a Jonathan-Edwards a Wesley a Newman. (W. F. Adeney M. A.)


Verse 1-2


Verse 1

Ezra 5:1; Ezra 5:9

Then the prophets Haggai.

The great work resumed

The best commentary on these verses is the first chapter of Haggai.

I. The inciters to the west.

1. Want of interest in the work is implied.

2. Obligation to perform the work is implied.

3. Exhortations to resume the work were given.

II. The leaders in the work. “Then rose up Zerubbabel ” etc.

1. They resumed the work readily.

2. They led the work appropriately. “Those that are in places of dignity and power ought with their dignity to put honour upon and with their power to put life into every good work.”

3. They led work influentially. The example of those who occupy high stations is--

III. The helpers in the work. “The prophets.” They assisted by their--

1. Exhortations to vigorous prosecution of the work.

2. Assurances of the presence of God with them.

3. Promises of future blessings from God to them.

IV. The great first cause of the work. “ The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel ” etc. “All holy desires all good counsels and all just works do proceed” from Him. “I will build My Church ” said our Lord to Peter. All the inspiration wisdom etc. of the under-builders come from him. Learn--

1. The insidious nature of worldliness.

2. The value of faithful ministers.

3. The solemn obligation of men in eminent stations. (William Jones.)

Hebrew prophets in unfavourable times

The Hebrew prophets came when the circumstances of society were least favourable. Like painters arising to adorn a dingy city like poets singing of summer in the winter of discontent like flowers in the wilderness like wells in the desert they brought life and strength and gladness to the helpless and despondent because they came from God. The literary form of their work reflected the civilisation of their day but there was on it a light that never shone on sea or shore and this they knew to be the light of God. We never find a true religious revival springing from the spirit of the age. Such a revival always begins in one or two choice souls--in a Moses a Samuel a John the Baptist a St. Bernard a Jonathan-Edwards a Wesley a Newman. (W. F. Adeney M. A.)


Verses 3-17


Verses 3-5

Ezra 5:3-5

At the same time came to them Tatntia.

The great work investigated and continued

The sacred work investigated by the secular authorities.

1. The nature of the investigation.

2. The spirit of the investigation.

The eye of the world is upon the work of the Church to-day. Let the members see to it that it shall be apparent to all unprejudiced persons that their work tends to promote truth and righteousness purity and peace piety and patriotism.

II. The sacred wore carried on through the divine blessing “But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews ” etc. This suggests--

1. The Divine interest in the work.

2. The Divine oversight of the work.

3. The Divine inspiration of the workers.

4. The Divine protection of the workers. (William Jones.)


Verses 6-17

Ezra 5:6-17

The copy of the letter that Tatnai.

The letter of the king concerning the work

This letter has three chief divisions.

I. The inquisition of the Persian authorities.

II. The reply of the Jewish leaders. It presents the following aspects of the work. That it was--

1. Not a mere human enterprise but a Divine commission.

2. Not an innovation but a restoration.

3. Not in a spirit of presumption and pride but of obedience and humility.

4. Not in opposition to but in conformity with royal authority.

5. Not political but religious in its character.

III. The appeal of the Persian authorities to the king. Conclusion: Two things we may well admire and imitate.

1. The fairness of the Persian officials.

2. The faithfulness of the Jewish leaders. (William Jones.)

We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth.

The supremacy of God

Consider:

I. The universal supremacy of God.

1. Its ground.

2. Its extent.

II. The great obligation of men to obey Him. Our obedience should be--

1. Complete.

2. Perpetual.

3. Hearty.

4. Joyous.

III. The exalted privilege of men. When the service of God is rightly estimated it is regarded as a glory and rejoiced in as a privilege. (William Jones.)

But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven.--

Arguments against sinning

In this verse we have three weighty reasons against abstaining from sin.

I. It provokes god. This will be more impressively realised if we reflect that He is a being of--

1. Infinite purity.

2. Infinite patience.

II. It deprives the sinner of his protection.

III. It strips the sinner of power to battle with his foes. Guilt robs a man of courage. The consciousness of right action in a righteous cause is the mightiest inspiration in conflict and the surest defence in peril. (William Jones.)
.


Verse 9

Ezra 5:1; Ezra 5:9

Then the prophets Haggai.

The great work resumed

The best commentary on these verses is the first chapter of Haggai.

I. The inciters to the west.

1. Want of interest in the work is implied.

2. Obligation to perform the work is implied.

3. Exhortations to resume the work were given.

II. The leaders in the work. “Then rose up Zerubbabel ” etc.

1. They resumed the work readily.

2. They led the work appropriately. “Those that are in places of dignity and power ought with their dignity to put honour upon and with their power to put life into every good work.”

3. They led work influentially. The example of those who occupy high stations is--

III. The helpers in the work. “The prophets.” They assisted by their--

1. Exhortations to vigorous prosecution of the work.

2. Assurances of the presence of God with them.

3. Promises of future blessings from God to them.

IV. The great first cause of the work. “ The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel ” etc. “All holy desires all good counsels and all just works do proceed” from Him. “I will build My Church ” said our Lord to Peter. All the inspiration wisdom etc. of the under-builders come from him. Learn--

1. The insidious nature of worldliness.

2. The value of faithful ministers.

3. The solemn obligation of men in eminent stations. (William Jones.)

Hebrew prophets in unfavourable times

The Hebrew prophets came when the circumstances of society were least favourable. Like painters arising to adorn a dingy city like poets singing of summer in the winter of discontent like flowers in the wilderness like wells in the desert they brought life and strength and gladness to the helpless and despondent because they came from God. The literary form of their work reflected the civilisation of their day but there was on it a light that never shone on sea or shore and this they knew to be the light of God. We never find a true religious revival springing from the spirit of the age. Such a revival always begins in one or two choice souls--in a Moses a Samuel a John the Baptist a St. Bernard a Jonathan-Edwards a Wesley a Newman. (W. F. Adeney M. A.)

──The Biblical Illustrator