Lessons From Ezra – Lesson 10
We need to quickly remind ourselves of where we were in Ezra.
Ezr 4:23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
Ezr 4:24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
The enemies of God’s people came and by force and power stopped the work on the Temple. The people chose to obey man’s command to stop instead of God’s command to build. This is in the 2nd year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
And we saw how that was the time stamp that was used in Haggai and Zechariah. In the 2nd year and the 6th month or the 7th or the 9th month. God wanted us to know the order and the timing of the Messages.
When the work stopped God sent two prophets to preach to them.
Ezr 5:1 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.
Ezr 5:2 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.
If you only read Ezra it seems like the work was stopped and these two guys show up and the work just starts back up again. The work is stopped in Ezra 5:1 and in Ezra 5:2 the work is going again.
But we know better. We took the time to go thru Haggai and Zechariah and find out what happened in between Ezra 5:1 and 5:2. Between those two verses the people were encouraged that God is with them, they are rebuked for stopping the work.
They are given promises from God and they are called out for their sin. God dealt with this in a balanced way. They were rebuked and called out for their sin but at the same time God encouraged them and gave them promises.
The people responded and the work started again.
Now of course the enemy is not happy with that.
Ezr 5:3 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?
Ezr 5:4 Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?
They enemy wanted names. Who gave the order to start building again? And even more than that they wanted the names of every man that is defying them to work on the Temple.
Then comes a very interesting statement.
Ezr 5:5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.
The eye of God was upon the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease.
The enemy came before and with force and power caused them to stop. The enemy is still the same. Whatever force and power they had before they still had. And that force worked before, but not this time.
What is the difference? Why then and not now? We don’t have to guess. We are told here.
The difference was God. God was working. God was working in many ways. God was sending messages thru prophets to them once again. That had not happened in decades.
2nd God was working in the hearts of people, and the people were responding to those messages. They were choosing to believe, to have faith in God’s promises.
3rd I believe that God was helping by strengthening their courage, and boldness and strength. Don’t misunderstand. God did not make them robots that had no choice. They were not forced to keep building against their will.
But God was very active and involved in their lives and in circumstances to help them and give them what they needed to be bold and keep up the work even when the enemy is trying to stop them.
Ezr 5:5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease,
Since the enemy could no longer cause them to stop the work, they send a letter to the king.
Ezr 5:6 The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:
Ezr 5:7 They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace.
Ezr 5:8 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.
More evidence of God working. Even the enemy noticed that the work is really moving fast. And they say the work is prospering in their hands.
We know that is because God wanted this work done and that God was helping and providing and encouraging and strengthening the people for the work.
This is a principal of how God works. He uses people. And He guides in His work and provides for His work. And works in the hearts of people to have a passion for His work. And when people listen to Him and get on board with what He wants done. Then the work prospers. It gets done.
God works this way in a huge project like building the Temple. God works this way in large groups. And God works this way in small groups. Our little group is going to get the gospel delivered to 17,000 homes this year. It is amazing.
And I thought that mailing that huge Christmas pile was going to be a small ordeal. But not so. Why? People jumped in with a great attitude and just busted it out. It makes me smile.
God does provide for and He does work in the hearts of people to prosper His work.
In their letter they now tell the king that they wanted the names of those doing the work.
Ezr 5:9 Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?
Ezr 5:10 We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.
Ezr 5:11 And thus they returned us answer,
They are now going to record how Zerubbabel and the other leaders answered.
Stop and think about Zerubbabel’s situation. The enemy outnumbers you. You have no walls and no protection. There are no allies anywhere around who can help you. You are in this alone. No one is going to rush an army to you to help you.
You are outnumbered and outgunned. If you are lucky the farmers among you might have some pitchforks. You might have some hammers and a few saws and axes for cutting timber. You know tools for building the Temple. You don’t have anything that was made for a battle.
Your enemy is wicked and angry and hates your God. They are not going to stop. They are not going to take a hint and just leave you alone.
How are you going to give an answer? What temptation might there be?
You might be tempted to spin it. You know, try to make it all sound better. You might be tempted to leave some things out to make you look better. Or even temped to lie a little.
After all you know that this response is going to be move up the chain to the king of Persia. You want and actually need the king of Persia on your side.
So does Zerubbabel do any of that? Nope. He is going to give a transparent totally truthful answer with no spin. Complete open honesty. But will that history show them in a bad light? Yep.
But doesn’t he know what is at stake. Doesn’t he know how import this answer is? Yep He does.
So where does Zerubbabel get the courage and strength to give such a complete honest answer? If you are thinking faith, you are right. Where did come by such strong faith?
Because we took the time to look at the messages in Haggai and Zechariah that happened after Ezra 5:1 and before Zerubbabel gives his answer, we know.
Hag 2:1 In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying,
Hag 2:4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:
Hag 2:20 And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying,
Hag 2:21 Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;
Hag 2:22 And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.
Hag 2:23 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.
Zec 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Zec 4:9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.
Zerubbabel had been given encouragement and promises from Almighty God. And he chose to believe those promises and it gave him the courage and strength and the faith to give a complete honest answer and to just trust in His God.
There is a valuable lesson here for all of us. Trust God’s promises and trust in His goodness to us and just do right. No matter the situation do right and be 100 percent honest and let God work in your heart and in circumstances.
Ezr 5:11 And 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.
If you remember one of the complaints of the enemy and worries, was that these people at one time ruled and everyone paid tribute to them. But Zerubbabel does not play politics and try to spin this to ease those fears. He does not say we were a small humble people that kept to ourselves. That would have be a flat out lie.
The truth was that they were powerful. David and then Solomon were powerful kings and they ruled a large area and other countries paid them tribute. A people like that can be seen as a threat to other kings who would not want to risk them rebuilding and gaining that kind of strength again.
But the truth is the truth and Zerubbabel tells it truthfully.
Ezr 5:12 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.
And Zerubbabel does not beat around the bush here either. Their fathers were rebels. They were no good. They provoked the God of heaven. They did some really wicked stuff. So bad in fact that God finally had them taken into captivity.
Zerubbabel is letting the record show that this Temple that they are rebuilding was destroyed because their fathers were wicked. They were arrogant enough to not just provoke anyone, they provoked the Almighty Creator.
Zerubbabel finishes his answer by telling how Cyrus the king made a decree for the house of God to be rebuilt.
Verse 17 is the end of the letter that the enemy sent to the king of Persia.
Ezr 5:17 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.
Ezr 6:1 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.
In verses 2 thru 5 the roll is found that contains the decree of Cyrus to have the Temple rebuilt. Starting in verse 6 is the kings response.
Ezr 6:6 Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:
Ezr 6:7 Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place.
Ezr 6:8 Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.
Ezr 6:9 And 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:
Ezr 6:10 That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.
Ezr 6:11 Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.
Ezr 6:12 And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.
Wow. I mean wow. Zerubbabel was 100 percent honest and told it like it was. No sugar coating and no spinning. He just had faith that God would take care of it. And his faith was not misplaced.
God took care of it and in a big way. The enemies are now commanded to help provide for the work. That is a total 180. They had to go from stopping the work with force and power to helping to provide for the work.
And now they have a warning and really a law that would require punishment to anyone who would alter the king’s word on all this.
So the work goes on, and Zechariah keeps on preaching and giving prophecy about their coming messiah. And the work gets finished a few years later.
The Temple Finished and Dedicated
Ezr 6:13 Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.
Ezr 6:14 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
Ezr 6:15 And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
Ezr 6:16 And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,
Passover Celebrated
Ezr 6:19 And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.
Ezr 6:20 For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.
Ezr 6:21 And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,
And verse 22 is very important. It tells us who gets the credit for all of this.
Ezr 6:22 And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
It was not just me saying that earlier. Here it is recorded very clearly.
The Lord worked in their heart and made them joyful. The Lord turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them. God did that. And the Lord strengthened their hands in the work.
Could they have done this work without God? No.
Did God do the work for them? No. They had to choose to do it. They had to go cut the timber and haul it and then saw it to fit. They had to go cut the stone and lay it. They had to work when it was hot outside and they had to work when it was cold. They had to labor and sweat and put their hearts and labor into it. That was their part. God would not do any of that for them.
And God did His part. Without which they could have done nothing. This is the way it works. It takes both God working and us working. This is a N.T. truth.
Joh_15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
It takes God working and His involvement and it takes us working. We see this in the great commission.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
We are to go and teach and work to get His word out and He is with us always even unto the end of the world. We get His Word out, that is our part, and God works in hearts and opens eyes and works in the circumstances of life to get people ready to hear, and God bears witness to His Word. God’s Word clearly teaches that it takes both. Us doing our small part, and God using it and doing only what He can do. Amen!