But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other heads of the families of Israel replied, "You have no part with us in building a house for our God, since we alone must build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as Cyrus king of Persia has commanded us." But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other heads of the families of Israel repliedThis phrase introduces the key leaders of the Jewish community returning from exile. "Zerubbabel" is a significant figure, a descendant of David, symbolizing the continuation of the Davidic line and the hope for messianic restoration. "Jeshua", the high priest, represents the spiritual leadership. Together with the "heads of the families", they embody the collective leadership and unity of the people. Historically, this reflects the post-exilic period when the Jewish community was re-establishing itself in Jerusalem, emphasizing the importance of leadership in maintaining religious and cultural identity. You have no part with us in building a house for our God
This statement is a firm rejection of the offer from the surrounding peoples to assist in rebuilding the temple. The phrase "no part with us" underscores the exclusivity of the covenant community. Theologically, it highlights the importance of purity and faithfulness to God’s commands, as the returning exiles sought to avoid the syncretism and idolatry that had led to their initial exile. The "house for our God" signifies the temple, the central place of worship and the symbol of God's presence among His people. This decision reflects a commitment to maintaining the sanctity and distinctiveness of their worship. We alone will build it for the LORD, the God of Israel
The emphasis on "We alone" indicates a determination to fulfill their divine mandate without external influence, ensuring that the temple would be built according to the laws and traditions given to Israel. "The LORD, the God of Israel" reaffirms their covenant relationship with Yahweh, distinguishing Him from the gods of the surrounding nations. This phrase is a declaration of faith and identity, asserting their unique role as God’s chosen people tasked with His worship and service. as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, has commanded us
This reference to "King Cyrus" highlights the providential role of foreign rulers in God’s plan. Cyrus’s decree, recorded in Ezra 1:1-4, allowed the Jews to return and rebuild the temple, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 44:28). The mention of "commanded us" underscores the legitimacy and authority of their mission, sanctioned by the ruling power of the time. It reflects the historical context of the Persian Empire’s policy of religious tolerance and restoration, which God used to accomplish His purposes for Israel. Persons / Places / Events 1. ZerubbabelA leader of the Jewish exiles who returned to Jerusalem. He was instrumental in the rebuilding of the temple and is often seen as a figure of restoration and leadership. 2. JeshuaAlso known as Joshua, he was the high priest who returned with Zerubbabel. He played a key role in the spiritual leadership of the returning exiles. 3. Heads of the Families of IsraelThese were the leaders of the various tribes and families who returned from exile. They were responsible for organizing and overseeing the rebuilding efforts. 4. The House of GodRefers to the temple in Jerusalem, which was being rebuilt after the Babylonian exile. The temple was central to Jewish worship and identity. 5. King Cyrus of PersiaThe Persian king who issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. His decree was seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people. Teaching Points Commitment to God's CommandsZerubbabel and Jeshua's refusal to allow outsiders to participate in the temple construction underscores the importance of adhering strictly to God's instructions. We must prioritize obedience to God's Word in our own lives. Discernment in PartnershipsThe leaders' decision to exclude those who did not share their faith highlights the need for discernment in forming partnerships, especially in spiritual matters. We should seek to align ourselves with those who share our commitment to God's purposes. Courage in the Face of OppositionThe leaders demonstrated courage by standing firm against external pressure. As believers, we are called to stand firm in our faith, even when faced with opposition or criticism. Faithfulness to God's PromisesThe rebuilding of the temple was a fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people. We can trust in God's faithfulness to fulfill His promises in our lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the response of Zerubbabel and Jeshua in Ezra 4:3 demonstrate their commitment to God's commands, and how can we apply this commitment in our daily lives? 2. In what ways can we exercise discernment in our partnerships and collaborations, especially in spiritual or ministry-related endeavors? 3. What are some modern-day examples of opposition to God's work, and how can we find courage to stand firm in our faith like Zerubbabel and Jeshua? 4. How does the account of the temple's rebuilding in Ezra connect with the broader biblical theme of restoration and redemption? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in fulfilling a promise. How does this encourage you to trust Him in current or future challenges? Connections to Other Scriptures Nehemiah 2Nehemiah also faced opposition when rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, highlighting the recurring theme of resistance to God's work. Haggai 1The prophet Haggai encouraged the people to prioritize the rebuilding of the temple, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commands. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18Paul speaks about the importance of being separate from unbelievers, which echoes the decision of Zerubbabel and Jeshua to exclude those who did not share their faith from the temple project. 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 Alone, Build, Building, Chief, Commanded, Common, Cyrus, Families, Fathers, Heads, Households, Houses, Jeshua, Nothing, Orders, Ourselves, Persia, Rest, Temple, Zerubbabel, Zerub'babelDictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 4:3 7530 foreigners
8341 separation
8404 commands, in OT Ezra 4:1-3 6213 participation, in sin
7525 exclusiveness Ezra 4:1-5 7560 Samaritans, the Ezra 4:1-8 7515 anti-semitism 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 4:3 NIVEzra 4:3 NLTEzra 4:3 ESVEzra 4:3 NASBEzra 4:3 KJV
Ezra 4:3 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
