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Ezra 4

Ezra 4 describes the opposition faced by the Jews during the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. After returning from exile, they encountered resistance from local inhabitants who initially offered to help but were rejected. This led to persistent efforts to disrupt the construction, including letters sent to Persian kings accusing the Jews of rebellion. As a result, the rebuilding of the temple was stopped by a royal decree until the reign of Darius. The chapter highlights the challenges and opposition the Jews faced in restoring their religious and national identity.

Ezra 4:1-5 (NKJV)
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,
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.”
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.”
4 Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building,
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.

The adversaries of Judah and Benjamin were non-Israelite inhabitants of the land who opposed the rebuilding of the temple. When they offered to help, claiming to worship the same God, Zerubbabel and Jeshua rejected their offer, knowing they were not truly aligned with God’s will. The refusal led to persistent opposition, as the adversaries tried to discourage and hinder the work, even hiring people to frustrate their efforts during the reigns of both Cyrus and Darius.

Ezra 4:6 (NKJV)
6 In the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

During the reign of Ahasuerus, opposition escalated. The adversaries of the Jews sent a formal complaint against the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the king, continuing their efforts to stop the rebuilding. This reflects the persistent hostility and determination of the enemies to disrupt the work on the temple.

Ezra 4:7 (NKJV)
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.

Opposition carried on during the reign of Artaxerxes. A group of officials, including Bishlam, Mithredath, and Tabel, wrote a letter of complaint to the king. The letter was written in Aramaic, the diplomatic language of the time, to ensure clarity in their accusations and to influence the king against the Jews.

Ezra 4:8-10 (NKJV)
8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes in this fashion:
9 From Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions—representatives of the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the people of Persia and Erech and Babylon and Shushan, the Dehavites, the Elamites,
10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnapper took captive and settled in the cities of Samaria and the remainder beyond the River—and so forth.

Rehum, Shimshai, and other officials composed a letter against the Jews, representing various groups from across the Persian Empire who had been resettled in Samaria. This broad coalition reflects the widespread opposition to Jerusalem's restoration and the concern among these peoples that a strong Jewish presence might threaten their own standing in the region.

Ezra 4:11-13 (NKJV)
11 (This is a copy of the letter that they sent him) To King Artaxerxes from your servants, the men of the region beyond the River, and so forth:
12 Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem, and are building the rebellious and evil city, and are finishing its walls and repairing the foundations.
13 Let it now be known to the king that, if this city is built and the walls completed, they will not pay tax, tribute, or custom, and the king’s treasury will be diminished.

The letter accused the Jews of rebuilding Jerusalem, which they characterized as a rebellious city. The authors warned that if Jerusalem's walls were restored, the Jews would refuse to pay taxes, leading to financial loss for the Persian king. This accusation aimed to provoke fear in the king and convince him to halt the rebuilding for political and economic reasons.

Ezra 4:14-16 (NKJV)
14 Now because we receive support from the palace, it was not proper for us to see the king’s dishonor; therefore we have sent and informed the king,
15 that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. And you will find in the book of the records and know that this city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, and that they have incited sedition within the city in former times, for which cause this city was destroyed.
16 We inform the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, the result will be that you will have no dominion beyond the River.

The letter writers claimed loyalty to the king and positioned themselves as protectors of his honor and interests. They urged Artaxerxes to consult the historical records, which would show that Jerusalem had a history of rebellion. By suggesting that rebuilding the city would lead to a loss of control over the region, they intensified the king’s concerns and sought to justify their call for stopping the work.

Ezra 4:17-19 (NKJV)
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: Peace, and so forth.
18 The letter which you sent to us has been clearly read before me.
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.

King Artaxerxes responded by acknowledging the letter and confirming that a search of the records supported the claims made against Jerusalem. He found evidence that the city had indeed been rebellious in the past, which seemed to validate the concerns raised by Rehum, Shimshai, and their companions.

Ezra 4:20-22 (NKJV)
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.
21 Now give the command to make these men cease, that this city may not be built until the command is given by me.
22 Take heed now that you do not fail to do this. Why should damage increase to the hurt of the kings?

Artaxerxes acknowledged that Jerusalem had been a powerful city in the past, with kings who had ruled over a wide area. He ordered an immediate halt to the rebuilding of the city, concerned that allowing it to continue would harm the interests of the Persian kings. This royal decree placed a legal stop to the Jewish efforts to restore Jerusalem.

Ezra 4:23 (NKJV)
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.

Upon receiving the letter, Rehum, Shimshai, and their allies wasted no time in acting. They went to Jerusalem and used force to stop the Jews from rebuilding, effectively putting an end to the construction efforts for a time.

Ezra 4:24 (NKJV)
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.

The opposition succeeded in halting the construction of the temple. The work remained at a standstill until the second year of King Darius's reign, when the Jews would later resume the project under new circumstances. This verse marks a significant setback in the rebuilding efforts.

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