1 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
3 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?
4 Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?
5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.
6 The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:
7 They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace.
8 Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.
9 Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?
10 We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.
11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.
12 But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.
13 But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.
14 And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
15 And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.
16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.
17 Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
The book of Ezra is the second book in the historical section of the Old Testament in the KJV Holy Bible. It is believed to have been written by the scribe and priest Ezra, who was a part of the group of Jews who returned from exile in Babylon to Jerusalem in the 5th century BC. The book of Ezra is divided into two parts, with the first part (chapters 1-6) focusing on the return of the exiles and the rebuilding of the temple, and the second part (chapters 7-10) focusing on the spiritual restoration of the people.
Chapter 5 of the book of Ezra continues the story of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. The chapter begins with a group of prophets, including Haggai and Zechariah, encouraging the people to resume the construction of the temple after it had been put on hold due to opposition from the surrounding nations. The people respond to the prophets' message and continue to work on the temple, despite the opposition they face.
1. The Rebuilding of the Temple
The main theme of chapter 5 is the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. The chapter begins with the prophets encouraging the people to resume the construction of the temple, which had been halted due to opposition from the surrounding nations. The people respond to the prophets' message and continue to work on the temple, despite the challenges they face.
This theme highlights the importance of the temple in the Jewish faith and the determination of the people to complete its construction, despite the obstacles they face. The temple was not only a physical structure, but it also represented the presence of God among His people. The rebuilding of the temple was essential for the restoration of the Jewish community and their relationship with God.
2. Opposition and Perseverance
Another important theme in chapter 5 is the opposition faced by the people in their efforts to rebuild the temple. The surrounding nations, particularly the Samaritans, opposed the rebuilding of the temple and even sent a letter to King Darius, requesting that the construction be stopped. However, the people did not give in to the opposition and continued to work on the temple.
This theme highlights the perseverance and determination of the Jewish people in the face of adversity. Despite the opposition, they remained steadfast in their faith and their commitment to rebuilding the temple. This serves as a reminder to readers that in the face of challenges and opposition, it is important to remain faithful and continue to work towards what is right and just.
3. The Role of the Prophets
The chapter also emphasizes the role of the prophets in guiding and encouraging the people. Haggai and Zechariah, along with other prophets, played a crucial role in motivating the people to resume the construction of the temple. They reminded the people of God's promises and encouraged them to trust in His plan for their lives.
This theme highlights the importance of spiritual leaders in the community and their role in guiding and encouraging people in their faith. It also serves as a reminder that God often speaks to His people through His chosen messengers, and it is important to listen to their guidance and follow their teachings.
Chapter 5 of the book of Ezra holds several important lessons for readers. It serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and determination in the face of opposition and challenges. The Jewish people faced numerous obstacles in their efforts to rebuild the temple, but they remained steadfast in their faith and continued to work towards their goal. This serves as an example for readers to remain faithful and trust in God's plan, even when faced with difficulties.
The chapter also highlights the significance of the temple in the Jewish faith. The temple was not just a physical structure but represented the presence of God among His people. The rebuilding of the temple was crucial for the restoration of the Jewish community and their relationship with God. This serves as a reminder of the importance of having a place of worship and the role it plays in our spiritual lives.
Furthermore, the role of the prophets in guiding and encouraging the people in their faith is also emphasized in this chapter. Haggai and Zechariah, along with other prophets, played a crucial role in motivating the people to resume the construction of the temple. This serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual leaders in our lives and the role they play in guiding us towards God's plan for our lives.
Overall, chapter 5 of the book of Ezra serves as a reminder of the importance of faith, perseverance, and the role of spiritual leaders in our lives. It also highlights the significance of the temple and its role in the spiritual restoration of the Jewish people. As readers, we can learn valuable lessons from the determination and faith of the Jewish people in rebuilding the temple, and apply them in our own lives to strengthen our relationship with God.
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