Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“Now the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple for Yahweh the God of Israel. And they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of the families, and they said to them, “Let us build with you. Like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him from the days of Esarhaddon the king of Assyria who brought us up here.” (Ezra 4:1-2)

Chapter four is about the other residents of the Land. These are the people who had been brought in as settlers when Babylon carried the Jews out. They were not natural-born residents. This was not their homeland. But they were there and they didn’t want to go anywhere (these are the ancestors of modern Palestine). In addition to knowing about Yahweh, they also participated in idolatry (2 Kings 17:5-33). They were not sincere believers. They came to the Jews and claimed they wanted to help, but Zerubbabel wouldn’t have anything to do with them. He would not mix unbelief with belief. So they wrote a letter to the new king of Persia, made a lot of wild claims, and got the work stopped.

Chapter five is about Haggai prophesying to the Jews in Jerusalem three years later and Zerubbabel once again taking up the building of the Temple. They were in violation of the royal edict (although Darius was now the king), but they wouldn’t stop. Their enemies sent another letter to the king, but Darius ordered the work not stop. In fact, he demanded that the enemies of the Jews help them get supplies AND pay for them.

Chapter six is Darius’ decree regarding the Temple. He affirmed Cyrus’ edict. He demanded that animals be made available for sacrifice, materials be made available for construction, and that it all be paid for out of the taxes owed him. Anyone who defied this decree or tried to get the work stopped was to be hung and their home torn down and turned into a latrine. The work continued and four years later was completed (twenty-one in total since Cyrus gave the order to return to build it). Everything was dedicated and consecrated (including the priests) and they joyfully kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover).

Chapter seven shows the entrance of Ezra into the account. He makes the journey to Jerusalem and brings with him other scribes and priests. He had it on his heart to go to Jerusalem and teach the Law. He brought with him a letter from the king giving him permission to do what he wanted in Jerusalem and Israel (essentially making him defacto ruler of the nation). Ezra was instructed to set up a judicial system and a civic system for rule. He was authorized to punish anyone who disobeyed or interfered. He was also allowed to teach the Law to the priests and Levites. Ezra gathered together a team of men around himself to accomplish this. They all left to go to Jerusalem.

Summary

Key Players: God, Ezra, Zerubbabel, Samaritans/Palestinians, Darius.

Key Verse(s): Ezra 4:1-6; 5:1-5; 6:3-12; 7:1-10