Ezra 4:11–24

4:11 (This is a copy of the letter that they sent.) “To Artaxerxes the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now 12 be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. 13 Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired. 14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace[b] and it is not fitting for us to witness the king's dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king, 15 in order that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will find in the book of the records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and that sedition was stirred up in it from of old. That was why this city was laid waste. 16 We make known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River.”

The King Orders the Work to Cease

17 The king sent an answer: “To Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their associates who live in Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River, greeting. And now 18 the letter that you sent to us has been plainly read before me. 19 And I made a decree, and search has been made, and it has been found that this city from of old has risen against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it. 20 And mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, who ruled over the whole province Beyond the River, to whom tribute, custom, and toll were paid. 21 Therefore make a decree that these men be made to cease, and that this city be not rebuilt, until a decree is made by me. 22 And take care not to be slack in this matter. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the king?”

23 Then, when the copy of King Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their associates, they went in haste to the Jews at Jerusalem and by force and power made them cease. 24 Then the work on the house of God that is in Jerusalem stopped, and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

SILENT BUT PRESENT GOD

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Summary

Ezra 4:11–24 records the letter sent by the enemies of Judah and Benjamin to King Artaxerxes of Persia. The letter accuses the Jews of rebellion, claiming that if Jerusalem is rebuilt, the king will lose control over the region. The opposition cleverly appeals to the king’s self-interest, portraying Jerusalem as a historically rebellious city:

You will find in the book of the records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and that sedition was stirred up in it from of old. That was why this city was laid waste (v. 15).

King Artaxerxes orders a search of the archives, confirming past revolts, and in response issues a royal decree to stop the rebuilding work immediately:

Therefore make a decree that these men be made to cease, and that this city be not rebuilt, until a decree is made by me (v. 21).

Persian officials, with military force, rush to Jerusalem to enforce the command, bringing construction of the temple to a standstill:

Then the work on the house of God that is in Jerusalem stopped, and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. (v. 24).

This passage thus bridges the time between Cyrus (who permitted rebuilding) and Darius (who later allowed it to resume), illustrating nearly fifteen years of delay due to political manipulation and fear. Ezra intentionally places this episode here to reveal a pattern of recurring opposition that God’s people face throughout history.

Who is God?

God is sovereign even when His work appears stalled by human opposition.

Though earthly kings and officials were given power, their decrees never overcame God's providence. What seems like defeat or delay is part of His redemptive timing. God permits His people to face obstacles not because He is indifferent, but to shape their perseverance and humility. The Lord of history governs even the hearts of pagan rulers (Proverbs 21:1).

In the apparent silence and inactivity of this period, God is still working. He is preparing His people’s hearts to rebuild not only the temple’s structure but also the altar of true worship. God’s sovereignty is not diminished by delay; He is weaving His purposes through it.

What is our Guilt?

Our guilt lies in forgetting that God’s work is spiritual before it is visible. Like the exiles, we often measure God’s success by progress we can see—buildings completed, problems solved, or opposition removed. When obstacles arise, we despair or compromise. Israel’s fear and discouragement reflected a loss of theological vision: they allowed the world’s resistance to define their hope.

The enemies’ accusation that Jerusalem was “a rebellious and harmful city” (v. 12) carried irony—Jerusalem once resisted earthly kings when they opposed God’s rule. Yet now, the returned exiles feared men more than God. Their failure was not political but spiritual: they allowed human authority to silence divine calling.

How does Grace Shine?

Grace shines in that God’s purposes cannot be thwarted.

Though His people are discouraged and the temple lies unfinished, His Word stands firm. The delay becomes a silent classroom where God teaches faith. In due time, He will raise prophets like Haggai and Zechariah to rekindle courage and obedience (Ezra 5:1–2).

God’s grace often hides in seasons of waiting, shaping deeper dependence on Him. Ultimately, this passage foreshadows Christ, the true Temple, whose mission could not be stopped by kings or religious leaders. When His work seemed crushed at Calvary, grace triumphed in resurrection. In Christ, every delay merely becomes a preparation for glory.

Prayer

Father, we confess how easily we grow weary when your work seems delayed. Teach us to trust your unseen hand when progress halts and opposition rises. Remind us that no decree, no power, and no discouragement can stop your redemptive plan. Strengthen our hearts to worship you faithfully even in waiting seasons, and let your grace turn every setback into preparation for your glory.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.