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When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles who had returned were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel,
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they came near to Zerubbabel and the heads of the families and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we also worship your God as you do; and we have been offering sacrifices to Him ever since the days of Esar-Haddon, king of Assyria, who brought us here.”
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But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other heads of the families of Israel said to them, “It is not for us and you to build a house for our God, but we ourselves will build for the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus of Persia commanded us.”
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Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build.
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They even hired counselors against them to frustrate their plans all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
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During the reign of Ahasuerus, at the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
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And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and their other companions wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia. The text of the letter was written in Aramaic, with its translation. (In Aramaic:)
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Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes, as follows.
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— At that time Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and their other companions, the judges, the officials, the officers, the Persians, the men of Erech, of Babylon, and of Susa, that is, the Elamites,
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and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar had deported and settled in the city of Samaria and in the rest of the region beyond the River,
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this is a copy of the letter they sent to him: “To King Artaxerxes, from your servants, the men of the region beyond the River. And now
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let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have arrived in Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city; they are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations.
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Let it be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, they will no longer pay tribute, tax, or toll, and in the end it will bring loss to the kings.
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Now, because we are in service to the king, and it is not fitting for us to see the king dishonored, therefore we have sent and informed the king,
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so that inquiry may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. In that record you will find and know that this city is a rebellious city, one that has always brought harm to kings and provinces, and that sedition has been stirred up in it from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed.
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We make known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, then you will have no possession left in the region beyond the River Euphrates.”
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Then the king sent this reply: “To Rehum the governor, and Shimshai the scribe, and their other companions who dwell in Samaria and in the rest of the region beyond the River Euphrates. Greetings! And now,
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the letter that you sent to us has been read clearly before me.
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Then by my command inquiry was made, and it was found that this city from ancient times has continually risen against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been practiced in it.
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Moreover, there have been mighty kings over Jerusalem in former times, ruling over the whole region beyond the River Euphrates, and tribute, taxes, and toll were paid to them.
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Therefore issue a decree to stop those men, so that this city may not be rebuilt until I issue a decree.
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And take care not to be negligent in this matter. Why should damage increase to the harm of the kings?”
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Then, when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter had been read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went quickly to Jerusalem to the Jews, and by force they made them stop the work.
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At that time the work on the house of God in Jerusalem ceased, and it remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
⚔️🏛️🛑 Summary of Ezra 4 – Opposition to the Building of the House of the LORD
Ezra 4 describes the hostility and intimidation from Israel’s enemies who tried to stop the building of the Temple in Jerusalem. After the foundation was laid (Ezra 3), the opponents of the people of Judah sought to infiltrate, frighten, and stir up the Persian government so that the building would be stopped. In the end, the building of God’s house came to a halt for many years, until the days of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. This chapter reminds us that the work of God will not go forward without opposition, but God remains in control.
📌 1. The Enemies Wanted to Join the Building (verses 1–3)
➡️ The enemies of Judah and Benjamin came and said:
“Let us also build with you, for we too worship your God.”
➡️ But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the leaders refused, because they knew the motive was not sincere
➡️ They said:
“We ourselves will build for the LORD, the God of Israel, as Cyrus commanded.”
🎯 Not everyone who claims to worship God has a pure heart — wisdom is needed to discern who is fit to take part in the ministry.
📌 2. The Enemies Begin to Intimidate and Hinder (verses 4–5)
➡️ When refused, the enemies began to intimidate and bribe Persian officials
➡️ They tried to block the rebuilding during the reigns of Cyrus until Darius
➡️ Their tactics included political manipulation and social pressure
🎯 The devil will use every means — from deceit to pressure — to stop God’s work.
📌 3. Accusations to King Artaxerxes (verses 6–23)
➡️ This chapter jumps to a later time, when the walls of Jerusalem were being rebuilt (likely in Nehemiah’s time)
➡️ The enemies sent a letter of accusation to King Artaxerxes claiming that Jerusalem was a rebellious city
➡️ In that letter they said:
“If this city is built and its walls are finished, then the king will no longer have any share…”
➡️ Artaxerxes responded by ordering the building to stop, until further investigation
➡️ In the end, the building was truly stopped by force and violence
🎯 Slander and manipulation may seem successful for a time — but God’s plan cannot be thwarted forever.
📌 4. God’s Work Is Temporarily Halted (verse 24)
➡️ The rebuilding work stopped until the second year of Darius’ reign
➡️ This was a long period of stagnation — possibly for 16 years
🎯 Sometimes God’s work seems to stop, but that does not mean God is silent — His time will come.
📖 Main Lessons
- Sincerity of heart is important in the work of God — not everyone can take part
- Rejection and intimidation are part of true ministry
- The enemy’s strategies can be spiritual, political, and social
- Obedience must stand on principle, not compromise
- A pause does not mean defeat — God is arranging the next steps
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“For a great door for effective work has opened here, and there are many who oppose.”
➡️ Great ministry is often accompanied by great opposition
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.”
➡️ Zerubbabel refused cooperation with the enemy — for the purity of the ministry
“Your adversary the devil goes around… resist him, firm in the faith.”
➡️ Intimidation and accusations are the devil’s weapons — but they can be faced with faith
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap…”
➡️ Even if the building stops, the spiritual harvest will come at the right time
🕊️ “We ourselves will build for the LORD…” – Ezra 4:3
🕊️ “They discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid…” – Ezra 4:4
🕊️ “We inform the king that if this city is built… then the king will suffer loss.” – Ezra 4:13
🕊️ “Then the work of building the house of God ceased…” – Ezra 4:24
