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But the prophet Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo, the two prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and in Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was with them.
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Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak began to build the house of God that is in Jerusalem. They were supported and helped by the prophets of God.
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At that time Tattenai, governor of the province beyond the River, came to them, together with Shethar-Bozenai and their companions, and said to them, “Who gave you a command to build this house and finish this wall?”
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Then he also said to them, “What are the names of the men who are building this structure?”
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But the eye of God was watching over the elders of the Jews, so that they were not forced to stop by those men until a report was received by Darius and then a reply letter was sent concerning it.
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This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai, governor of the province beyond the River, together with Shethar-Bozenai and his companions, the officials of the province beyond the River, sent to King Darius.
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They sent him a written report that said as follows:
“To King Darius. Peace be to you!
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Let it be known to the king that we came to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built with large stones, and the walls are being lined with timber; and the work is being done carefully and is progressing well in their hands.
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Then we asked those elders, and this is what we said to them: Who gave you a command to build this house and finish this wall?
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We also asked them their names, to inform my lord, by recording the names of the men who were at their head.
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This is the answer they gave us: We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the house that was built many years ago, which was built and completed by a great king of Israel.
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But after our fathers provoked the anger of the God of heaven, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house and carried the people away captive to the land of Babylon.
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However, in the first year of Cyrus, king of Babylon, a decree was issued by King Cyrus to rebuild this house of God.
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Also the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem and brought into the temple in Babylon, King Cyrus took from the temple in Babylon and handed them over to a man named Sheshbazzar, whom he had appointed governor.
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The order to him was this: Take these vessels, go, and put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be built in its former place.
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Then Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundation of the house of God that is in Jerusalem; and from that time until now it has been under construction, though it is not yet finished.
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Therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the king’s treasury house there in Babylon, to see whether a decree was ever issued by King Cyrus to rebuild this house of God in Jerusalem. Then let the king’s decision concerning this matter be sent to us.”
🔨🔥📜 Summary of Ezra 5 – The Building of the Lord’s House Resumed at the Prophets’ Urging
Ezra 5 records the stirring of the spiritual zeal of the people of Judah after the work of building the Lord’s house had stopped for many years (Ezra 4:24). The Lord raised up two great prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, to speak His word, urging Zerubbabel and Jeshua to continue the building of the temple in Jerusalem. Although there was oversight from Persian officials (Tattenai), the project was not stopped, but continued while waiting for King Darius’s answer. This shows that obedience to the word of God is stronger than political pressure.
📌 1. The Word of God Ignites Zeal (verses 1–2)
➡️ Haggai and Zechariah prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem
➡️ Zerubbabel and Jeshua responded by continuing the building of God’s house
➡️ The prophets also accompanied and encouraged the work
🎯 When God’s people are weak and afraid, God sends His word to awaken strength and faith again.
📌 2. Tattenai Watches and Asks (verses 3–5)
➡️ Tattenai, governor of the region beyond the Euphrates River, saw the building and asked:
“Who gave permission to build this house?”
➡️ He requested a list of the names of the leaders involved
➡️ Yet the eye of God was watching the Jews, so that they were not hindered at that time
🎯 When the Lord is with His people, the enemy cannot simply stop the work of God, even if they try.
📌 3. Tattenai’s Letter to King Darius (verses 6–17)
➡️ Tattenai and the other officials wrote an official report letter to King Darius
➡️ They explained that the Jews claimed they were rebuilding the great and glorious house of God, which had once been built by a great king (Solomon)
➡️ The Jews explained that because of the sins of their ancestors, they were exiled to Babylon, and it was Cyrus who ordered them to return and rebuild
➡️ They also mentioned that Cyrus returned the vessels of the house of God that Nebuchadnezzar had once taken
➡️ Tattenai asked that the royal archives be checked to confirm whether this statement was true
🎯 Spiritual truth needs to be defended clearly, honestly, and on the basis of legitimate history.
📖 Main Teaching
- The word of God spoken through a prophet can stir up a fading spirit
- Obedience is more important than safety or comfort
- Challenges in ministry can come from earthly authorities, but God still holds control
- God protects His work and directs the hearts of officials so that His plan is not stopped
- Giving a clear and true testimony is very important before the world
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“Preach the word, be ready in season and out of season…”
➡️ Like Haggai and Zechariah, we too are called to proclaim the word in difficult times
“We must obey God rather than men.”
➡️ Zerubbabel and the leaders obeyed God’s command, not the pressure of rulers
“Your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
➡️ Though it was interrupted for a time, the building was continued and will bring glory to the Lord
“The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid.”
➡️ They kept building because they knew the Lord was with them
🕊️ “Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah… prophesied to the Jews…” – Ezra 5:1
🕊️ “They began to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem…” – Ezra 5:2
🕊️ “The eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews…” – Ezra 5:5
🕊️ “Let the king search in the treasury records of the kingdom…” – Ezra 5:17
