At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, an accusation was lodged against the people of Judah and Jerusalem. At the beginning of the reign of XerxesThe phrase marks a significant historical transition. Xerxes, known in Hebrew as Ahasuerus, was a Persian king whose reign began around 486 BC. This period is crucial as it follows the reign of Darius I, under whom the temple rebuilding efforts were supported. Xerxes' reign is marked by a shift in political dynamics, reflecting the challenges faced by the Jewish community in maintaining their religious and cultural identity amidst changing imperial policies. The historical context underscores the vulnerability of the Jewish exiles as they navigated the complexities of foreign rule. an accusation was lodged
The Hebrew root for "accusation" is "sitnah," which conveys hostility and opposition. This term is significant as it reflects the persistent adversarial actions against the Jewish people. The lodging of an accusation suggests a formal complaint, likely intended to halt the progress of the Jewish community in rebuilding their city and temple. This reflects a broader theme in the Bible of spiritual warfare, where God's people often face opposition when fulfilling divine mandates. The act of lodging an accusation is a reminder of the spiritual and physical battles that accompany the pursuit of God's purposes. against the people of Judah and Jerusalem
This phrase identifies the specific targets of the opposition: the Jewish exiles who had returned to their ancestral homeland. Judah and Jerusalem hold profound theological and historical significance as the heart of Jewish identity and worship. Jerusalem, the city of David, is central to God's covenantal promises. The opposition against Judah and Jerusalem is not merely political but also spiritual, as it represents an attempt to thwart God's redemptive plan through His chosen people. This highlights the enduring nature of God's promises and the resilience required of His people to stand firm in faith amidst adversity. Persons / Places / Events 1. XerxesAlso known as Ahasuerus, he was a Persian king who reigned from 486 to 465 BC. His reign is marked by significant events, including the continuation of opposition against the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem. 2. Judah and JerusalemThe southern kingdom of Israel and its capital city, which were central to the Jewish identity and worship. The rebuilding of Jerusalem was crucial for the restoration of the Jewish community after the Babylonian exile. 3. AccusationThis refers to the formal complaint or opposition lodged against the Jews by their adversaries, aiming to halt the rebuilding of the temple and the city. Teaching Points Understanding OppositionOpposition is a common experience for those who seek to follow God's will. Just as the Jews faced accusations, believers today may encounter resistance in their spiritual endeavors. Faithfulness in AdversityDespite opposition, the Jewish people remained committed to their mission. This teaches us the importance of perseverance and faithfulness in the face of challenges. The Role of LeadershipThe leaders of Judah and Jerusalem had to navigate political and social challenges. Effective leadership is crucial in guiding communities through opposition. God's SovereigntyEven when accusations arise, God remains in control. Trusting in His sovereignty provides peace and assurance amidst trials. Community SupportThe Jewish community had to stand together against external threats. Unity and support within the body of believers are vital for overcoming opposition. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the opposition faced by the Jews in Ezra 4:6 compare to the challenges faced by believers today? 2. In what ways can we remain faithful to God's calling when we encounter resistance or accusations? 3. How can the account of Xerxes' reign and the Jewish opposition inform our understanding of God's sovereignty in political and social matters? 4. What role does community play in overcoming opposition, and how can we foster unity within our own faith communities? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Ezra 4:6 to our personal lives, especially when facing trials or opposition in our spiritual journey? Connections to Other Scriptures Nehemiah 4This chapter describes similar opposition faced by Nehemiah when rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, highlighting the persistent resistance against the Jewish restoration efforts. Esther 1Provides context for the reign of Xerxes (Ahasuerus) and the political climate of the Persian Empire, which affected the Jewish people. Daniel 6Illustrates how accusations were used against Daniel, another Jewish leader, showing a pattern of opposition faced by God's people throughout history. 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 Accusation, Ahasuerus, Ahasu-e'rus, Beginning, Commencement, Inhabitants, Jerusalem, Judah, Lodged, Record, Reign, Statement, Written, Wrote, XerxesDictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 4:6 5201 accusation Ezra 4:1-8 7515 anti-semitism Ezra 4:4-6 7240 Jerusalem, history
8728 enemies, of Israel and Judah Ezra 4:6-16 5202 accusation, false Ezra 4:6-23 7560 Samaritans, the 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 4:6 NIVEzra 4:6 NLTEzra 4:6 ESVEzra 4:6 NASBEzra 4:6 KJV
Ezra 4:6 Commentaries
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