that a search should be made of the record books of your fathers. In these books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, inciting sedition from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed. so that a search may be madeThis phrase suggests a deliberate and thorough investigation. The Hebrew root for "search" (בָּקַשׁ, baqash) implies seeking with intent and purpose. Historically, this reflects the Persian administrative practice of maintaining detailed records, which were often consulted to make informed decisions. The call for a search underscores the importance of truth and evidence in governance, reminding us of the biblical principle that truth is foundational to justice. in the archives of your fathers
The "archives" refer to the royal records or chronicles, which were meticulously kept by ancient civilizations, including the Persians. The phrase "of your fathers" connects the present with the past, emphasizing the continuity of history and the importance of learning from it. This highlights the biblical theme of generational legacy and the impact of past actions on present circumstances. In these records you will discover and verify
The act of discovery and verification points to the reliability and authority of written records. The Hebrew concept of "verify" (אָמַן, aman) conveys a sense of faithfulness and trustworthiness. This reflects the biblical value of integrity and the necessity of confirming facts before making judgments, a principle that is vital in both spiritual and secular matters. that this city is a rebellious city
The term "rebellious" (מָרָד, marad) is significant in the biblical context, often associated with defiance against divine or royal authority. Jerusalem's history of rebellion is well-documented in the Scriptures, where the city frequently strayed from God's commandments. This serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of disobedience and the importance of aligning with God's will. harmful to kings and provinces
This phrase indicates the broader impact of Jerusalem's rebellion, affecting not just the city itself but also the surrounding regions and rulers. The historical context reveals that Jerusalem's insurrections often led to instability and conflict, which threatened the peace and prosperity of the entire empire. This underscores the biblical principle that sin and rebellion have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the individual but also the community. a place with a long history of revolt
The "long history of revolt" highlights the persistent nature of Jerusalem's defiance. The Hebrew word for "revolt" (פֶּשַׁע, pesha) conveys a sense of willful transgression. This serves as a reminder of the human tendency to resist authority and the need for repentance and renewal. The biblical narrative consistently calls for a return to righteousness and faithfulness to God. That is why this city was destroyed
The destruction of Jerusalem is presented as a direct consequence of its rebellion. This reflects the biblical theme of divine justice, where sin leads to judgment. However, it also points to the hope of restoration, as God's discipline is always aimed at bringing His people back to Himself. The destruction serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin, but also as an invitation to seek God's mercy and grace. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzraA scribe and priest who led the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem and was instrumental in the rebuilding of the temple and the reestablishment of the Law. 2. JerusalemThe city central to Jewish identity and worship, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians and was in the process of being rebuilt by the returning exiles. 3. The Persian EmpireThe ruling empire at the time, under which the Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem. The empire's archives were being referenced in this verse. 4. Rehum and ShimshaiOfficials who wrote to King Artaxerxes to halt the rebuilding of Jerusalem, claiming it was a rebellious city. 5. King ArtaxerxesThe Persian king who received the letter from Rehum and Shimshai and ordered a halt to the rebuilding efforts based on their claims. Teaching Points The Power of Historical RecordsUnderstanding the past is crucial for making informed decisions in the present. The search of the archives in Ezra 4:15 reminds us of the importance of historical context in our spiritual lives. Opposition to God's WorkJust as the rebuilding of Jerusalem faced opposition, believers today should expect resistance when pursuing God's purposes. This calls for perseverance and faith. The Importance of ReputationThe accusations against Jerusalem were based on its past. As Christians, we should strive to maintain a good reputation, knowing that our past actions can impact our present witness. God's Sovereignty in AdversityDespite the opposition, God's plans for Jerusalem ultimately prevailed. This encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty, even when facing setbacks. The Role of LeadershipLeaders like Ezra and Nehemiah played crucial roles in overcoming opposition. This highlights the importance of godly leadership in advancing God's kingdom. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the historical context of Jerusalem's past rebellion inform our understanding of the opposition faced by the returning exiles? 2. In what ways can we relate the opposition faced by the Jews in rebuilding Jerusalem to the challenges Christians face today in living out their faith? 3. How can we ensure that our past does not hinder our present witness for Christ, and what steps can we take to maintain a good reputation? 4. What lessons can we learn from the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah in dealing with opposition and advancing God's work? 5. How does understanding God's sovereignty in the face of adversity encourage us in our personal and communal spiritual journeys? Connections to Other Scriptures Nehemiah 2Nehemiah also faced opposition when rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, showing a pattern of resistance against the restoration of Jerusalem. 2 Kings 24-25These chapters detail the historical context of Jerusalem's destruction by the Babylonians, which is referenced in the accusations against the city. Daniel 9Daniel's prayer for Jerusalem's restoration highlights the city's significance and the spiritual warfare surrounding its rebuilding. People Ahasuerus, Apharesattechites, Apharesites, Apharsathchites, Apharsites, Archevites, Artaxerxes, Asnapper, Babylonians, Benjamin, Bishlam, Cyrus, Darius, Dehaites, Dehavites, Dehites, Dianites, Dinaites, Dinites, Elamites, Esarhaddon, Jeshua, Mithredath, Persians, Rehum, Shimshai, Shushanchites, Tabeel, Tarpelites, ZerubbabelPlaces Assyria, Beyond the River, Erech, Jerusalem, Persia, Samaria, SusaTopics Ancient, Annals, Archives, Authority, Book, Books, Cause, Causing, Countries, Damage, Damaging, Destroyed, Discover, Fathers, Hurtful, Incited, Kings, Laid, Learn, Loss, Makers, Midst, Moved, Order, Outbursts, Past, Predecessors, Provinces, Raised, Reason, Rebellion, Rebellious, Record, Records, Revolt, Search, Sedition, Seek, Stirred, Town, Trouble, Troublesome, Uncontrolled, Waste, Wasted, Wilt, WithinDictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 4:15 5558 storing Ezra 4:6-16 5202 accusation, false Ezra 4:6-23 7560 Samaritans, the Ezra 4:12-15 7468 temple, rebuilding Ezra 4:15-16 8800 prejudice Library Building in Troublous Times
'Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of Israel; 2. 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 Esar-haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither. 3. But Zerubbabel, and Joshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Original Text and Its History.
1. The original language of the Old Testament is Hebrew, with the exception of certain portions of Ezra and Daniel and a single verse of Jeremiah, (Ezra 4:8-6:18; 7:12-26; Dan. 2:4, from the middle of the verse to end of chap. 7; Jer. 10:11,) which are written in the cognate Chaldee language. The Hebrew belongs to a stock of related languages commonly called Shemitic, because spoken mainly by the descendants of Shem. Its main divisions are: (1,) the Arabic, having its original seat in the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
The Median wars--The last native dynasties of Egypt--The Eastern world on the eve of the Macedonian conquest. [Drawn by Boudier, from one of the sarcophagi of Sidon, now in the Museum of St. Irene. The vignette, which is by Faucher-Gudin, represents the sitting cyno-cephalus of Nectanebo I., now in the Egyptian Museum at the Vatican.] Darius appears to have formed this project of conquest immediately after his first victories, when his initial attempts to institute satrapies had taught him not …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9 A Reformer's Schooling
'The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, 2. That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3. And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Ninth Commandment
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.' Exod 20: 16. THE tongue which at first was made to be an organ of God's praise, is now become an instrument of unrighteousness. This commandment binds the tongue to its good behaviour. God has set two natural fences to keep in the tongue, the teeth and lips; and this commandment is a third fence set about it, that it should not break forth into evil. It has a prohibitory and a mandatory part: the first is set down in plain words, the other …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ezra 4:15 NIVEzra 4:15 NLTEzra 4:15 ESVEzra 4:15 NASBEzra 4:15 KJV
Ezra 4:15 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
