Ezra 5:1 - Matthew Henry

Ezra 5:1

Restoration of the Temple Resumed

1 Then the prophet ^aHaggai and ^bZechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them.

2 So ^aZerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and ^bthe prophets of God were with them, helping them.

3 At the same time ^aTattenai the governor of the region beyond¹ the River and Shethar-Boznai and their companions came to them and spoke thus to them: ^b“Who has commanded you to build this² temple and finish this wall?”

4 ^aThen, accordingly, we told them the names of the men who were constructing this building.

5 But ^athe eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, so that they could not make them cease till a report could go to Darius. Then a ^bwritten answer was returned concerning this matter.

6 This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai sent:
The governor of the region beyond the River, and Shethar-Boznai, ^aand his companions, the Persians who were in the region beyond the River, to Darius the king.

Commentaries:

Matthew Henry

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Ezra 5:2 >>

Ezra 5:1-17

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

Verses 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.

Verses 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.

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Ezra 5:2 >>

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Restoration of the Temple Resumed

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning