History · Chapter 4 of 10

Ezra 4

Adversaries offer to help build but are refused, so they discourage and frustrate the workers throughout the reigns of Cyrus and Darius. The chapter then records later opposition: accusatory letters to kings Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes, warning that a rebuilt Jerusalem will withhold tribute. Artaxerxes orders the work stopped by force, and the building of the house of God ceases until the second year of Darius.

What happens in Ezra 4

When the adversaries of Judah hear the exiles are building the temple, they come to Zerubbabel offering to build with them, claiming to seek the same God. Zerubbabel and the leaders refuse, saying they alone will build as Cyrus commanded. So the people of the land weaken the builders' hands, trouble them, and hire counselors to frustrate their purpose through the days of Cyrus and into Darius. The chapter then jumps ahead to record ongoing opposition: in the reigns of Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes, enemies write letters against Jerusalem.

Rehum and Shimshai warn Artaxerxes that if this rebellious city is rebuilt, the Jews will not pay toll, tribute, or custom, and the king will lose revenue. Artaxerxes replies that the records show Jerusalem's history of rebellion and commands that the work cease. Rehum and Shimshai go in haste and force the Jews to stop. So the work of God's house ceases until the second year of Darius.

Ezra 4 in context

This chapter groups opposition across decades thematically rather than strictly chronologically, mentioning kings such as Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes who reigned later to illustrate a persistent pattern. The refusal to let the mixed population of the land help preserved the purity of the returned community's worship, though it earned lasting hostility.

The letters and replies are preserved in Aramaic, reflecting official Persian correspondence.

Main themes of Ezra 4

Ezra 4 (KJV)

1Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; 2Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither. 3But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us. 4Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, 5And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. 6And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. 7And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue. 8Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: 9Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites, 10And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnapper brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time. 11This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time. 12Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations. 13Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings. 14Now because we have maintenance from the king’s palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king’s dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king; 15That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed. 16We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river. 17Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time. 18The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me. 19And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein. 20There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them. 21Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me. 22Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings? 23Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. 24Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Verses to carry from Ezra 4

“Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither. But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.”Ezra 4:2-3

“Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.”Ezra 4:4-5

“Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.”Ezra 4:23-24

Reflection

The moment they began building, opposition arose, first disguised as help, then open hostility. If you are meeting resistance in doing God's will, you are in good company. The work stopped for years, but not forever. Discouragement is real, but it is not the end of the story. God finishes what He begins.

A prayer from Ezra 4