Ezra 5:1–17 (November 6th, 2025)

Rebuilding Begins Anew

5:1 Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. 2 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.

3 At the same time Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and their associates came to them and spoke to them thus: “Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?” 4 They also asked them this: “What are the names of the men who are building this building?” 5 But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until the report should reach Darius and then an answer be returned by letter concerning it.

Tattenai's Letter to King Darius

6 This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and his associates, the governors who were in the province Beyond the River, sent to Darius the king. 7 They sent him a report, in which was written as follows: “To Darius the king, all peace. 8 Be it known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built with huge stones, and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on diligently and prospers in their hands. 9 Then we asked those elders and spoke to them thus: ‘Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?’ 10 We also asked them their names, for your information, that we might write down the names of their leaders. 11 And this was their reply to us: ‘We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the house that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished. 12 But because our fathers had angered the God of heaven, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house and carried away the people to Babylonia. 13 However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree that this house of God should be rebuilt. 14 And the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple that was in Jerusalem and brought into the temple of Babylon, these Cyrus the king took out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor; 15 and he said to him, “Take these vessels, go and put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its site.” 16 Then this Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and from that time until now it has been in building, and it is not yet finished.’ 17 Therefore, if it seems good to the king, let search be made in the royal archives there in Babylon, to see whether a decree was issued by Cyrus the king for the rebuilding of this house of God in Jerusalem. And let the king send us his pleasure in this matter.”

Revival Begins with the Word of God

Ezra 5Brian Lee

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Summary

After nearly two decades of delay, the rebuilding of the temple resumed. It was not because of a royal decree, but because God’s Word broke through the people's hearts.

Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them (v.1).

Through their preaching, Zerubbabel the governor and Jeshua the high priest became effective in rebuilding the house of God in Jerusalem.

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, supporting them (v. 2).

It wasn't some smart strategy or political maneuvering that made the rebuilding possible. It was the preaching of the Word of God that inspired people. The same external opposition remained, yet the people were now inspired to move forward with courage. The difference was the Word of God. However, just because the Word inspired people, it did not mean the end of opposition.

Soon, another opposition arose. Tattenai, the Persian governor “beyond the River,” and his associates question their authority:

“Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?” (v.3).

Yet this time, the Jews did not stop. They continued working while the matter was sent to King Darius for confirmation. Their faith is anchored in the awareness that “the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews” (v.5).

The letter that Tattenai sends to Darius (vv. 6–17) recounts the Jews’ explanation, which affirmed that King Cyrus had issued a decree to rebuild the temple of God in Jerusalem, and that Sheshbazzar (Zerubbabel), appointed by Cyrus, had laid its foundations. Tattenai’s report ends respectfully, asking Darius to search the royal archives to verify this claim (v.17). This leads to God’s providential vindication in the next chapter.

Who is God?

God revives obedience through His Word.

The people of Israel had allowed fear and discouragement to paralyze them for years. But when the Word of God came through Haggai and Zechariah, their hearts were stirred once again. God's Word does not merely command; it enables. His Word awakens faith, restores courage, and revives dormant obedience.

What is our Guilt?

Our guilt is that we often let fear and convenience silence obedience. Like the returned exiles, we allow external resistance or internal weariness to justify spiritual complacency. We may start a prayer, witness to our neighbors, or serve in the church, but when difficulties come, we rationalize delay. Yet every pause in obedience is a silent declaration that we believe that our circumstances are mightier than God’s promises. The people of Ezra’s time needed the prophetic voice to pierce that self-protective inertia. So do we.

How does Grace Shine?

Grace shines in that God’s eye remains upon His people even when their hands falter. Verse 5 is one of the most tender statements in Ezra:

“But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews...”

Though opposition remained and permission was uncertain, divine oversight sustained their work. God did not abandon them for their earlier hesitation. He watched over them, ensuring that the accusations would not halt His plan. Grace not only forgives our past neglect but empowers us to resume obedience with confidence that God is with us. The same grace that called them to rebuild the temple calls us to rebuild our lives of worship and witness in Christ.

Prayer

Father,

Thank you for watching over your people even when our faith wavers. You speak through your Word to awaken what has grown dull, and you guard us when we rise again to obey. Help us not to wait for favorable conditions but to act upon your promises. Revive our hearts as you did through Haggai and Zechariah, that we may rebuild your temple in our lives. We seek to be a "House of God" in holiness, prayer, and praise. May your gracious eye rest upon us today as we labor in your name.

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