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The "people of the land" procured authority from the Persian king to stop the rebuilding of the city and wall of Jerusalem, and used it to stop the rebuilding of the temple as well. After an interval of nine years, through the incitement of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, the great work was resumed, and with the resumption the old hostility was revived. So the text, etc. The eye of their God was upon them -

I. To GIVE THEM ASSURANCE AND COMFORT.

1. This figure expresses his watchful care.

(1) His eyes are everywhere (see Job 28:24; Proverbs 15:3). He observes us in the work of the sanctuary. When working in the city. When working on the wall.

(2) His vision searches the heart (see 1 Samuel 16:7). He fully comprehends the hypocrite. So the sincerity of the innocent. How assuring! How nerving to moral courage!

2. It also expresses loving favour.

(1) As pity is expressed by the human eye, so, etc. Thus used to express the compassion of God for his suffering people in Egypt (Exodus 3:7-10). Also, for the tears of Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:5). So he pitied his people in Babylon, and his eye of pity is over them here.

(2) As the eye also expresses satisfaction, so the complaisancy of God, etc. Thus favour towards the holy land (Deuteronomy 11:12). Towards the holy temple (1 Kings 8:29). Towards the holy people (Psalm 34:15; Jeremiah 24:4). What comfort to the faithful!

II. TO GIVE THEM WISDOM AND DISCRETION.

1. They need this in the presence of their inquisitors.

(1) They are people of influence. There is "Tatnai, the governor on this side the river." If the "river" here be the Euphrates, then he would be over the provinces of Syria, Arabia Deserta, Phoenicia, and Samaria. If the Jordan, then still a great personage. There was Shethar-boznai, probably the secretary appointed by the Persian crown, as was customary, to act as a check upon the governor. There were "their companions," probably magistrates.

(2) They put questions which imported mischief. By whose authority do you build (ver. 3)? Expressed again, ver. 9. Who are your leaders in this questionable business? Implied, ver. 4 (see ver. 10).

2. Their answers were guided by a watchful wisdom.

(1) That they acted as the "servants of the God of heaven and earth" (see ver. 11). No authority could be higher. Query - Do we always and adequately recognise that authority?

(2) That they claimed a prescriptive right in the temple which was originally built by one of their great kings (see ver. 11).

(3) That their captivity did not forfeit them that right. For God banished them into captivity for their sin: Nebuchadnezzar was but his servant; and God now favours their restoration (see vers. 11, 12). We should never be ashamed to avow our connection with God and his work.

III. To DEFEND THEM FROM THEIR ENEMIES.

1. By moderating the opposition.

(1) Their former unscrupulous foes are not mentioned (see ch. 4:7-9). Changes in the supreme government often involve changes of provincial rulers. Possibly the judgment of God may have overtaken them.

(2) The temper of these men is better. They state facts honestly.

2. By sustaining them at their work.

(1) Tatnai proposed that, until the question of their right should be determined by Darius, the work should cease. But they saw the eye of their God, and declined (ver. 5).

(2) The prophets kept this vision vividly before them. They came forth from the presence of God, having witnessed his visions and heard his words, which, under the strongest sense of the reality, they so communicated that the people saw as it were the very eye of God upon them, and went on with his work. Query - Should not ministers, as coming from the very presence of God, so deliver the gospel message that? etc.

3. By bringing good out of the evil.

(1) The attention of Darius was thus called to the decree of Cyrus (see ver. 17).

(2) The king issued instructions accordingly (Ezra 6:6-12).

(3) These instructions were carded out, and the good work was carried on to its completion (Ezra 6:13-15). - J.A.M.

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KJV: At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?

WEB: At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and said thus to them, "Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?"