Ezra 4: Stop Building

Ezra 4:15 "In these records you will find that this city is a rebellious city, troublesome to kings and provinces, a place of rebellion from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed."

The people in the area saw the rebuilding of the temple going on. They were described as enemies, so right away, that sort of sets the stage for how this interaction was going to go. They wanted to help with the reconstruction of the temple, claiming that they had been worshipping the LORD, and wanted to assist with the construction of His temple.

And they probably did worship the LORD. Among many other gods. Zerubabbel and Jeshua responded by saying it would be them alone who would rebuild the temple. One, because God was their God. Second, and probably to add a big of gravitas to an unbelieving group of foreigners, because Cyrus said so. Sometimes you need that extra bit of authority in there. As long as Cyrus was in charge, the foreigners, the enemies made it their business to inhibit the temple's construction, lodging complaints with Xerxes, the king of Persia, and then Artaxerxes. Some guys named Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and others wrote a letter to Artaxerxes, having been frustrated by the jews who would not let them help.

It's all political. Not militaristic. The route that the foreigners go in the letter to King Art talks about how if Israel is allowed to do their thing, it's basically going to cost the king a lot of money. He'd lose out on the tribute. So they appeal to his greedy side. They don't want to see the king "dishonored." Snakes.

What I find most noteworthy about the letter is in verse 15. They talk about the city being a rebellious one...troublesome, claiming that is why the city was destroyed. Very interesting. Israel was rebellious. Israel was troublesome. And these were the reasons why Jerusalem was no more. But not because Israel was rebellious or troublesome to their neighbors. They rebelled against God. It was when Israel behaved and was obedient that they were problems to their neighbors.

Of course Artaxerxes takes the bait and brings force to Israel to make them stop with this crazy building. And it took until Darius took the throne in Persia to get started again. We'll have to find out why. Artaxerxes doesn't bother to find out why Cyrus made his proclamation, instead listening only to his selfishness and greed.