Standing Firm Against Opposition

When was the last time you either undertook, or were part of, a large project ? We all have smaller projects that need to get finished. Kids do homework or finish levels in a video game. Adults have to do taxes, or get things fixed around the house. Sometimes we have to plan large events like weddings or vacations. Those are smaller projects that take time and energy. But what about a project that is going to take you more than a year? How many of you have ever been involved in something like that?

Some of you might feel that way with regard to your education. Maybe you feel like that with getting our of debt. The task can seem daunting because it doesn’t matter how hard you work, this is going to take time.

Whether you’ve gone through something like that or are still in it, think about the feelings and the emotions associated with the completion of the project. What did it feel like, or how do you imagine it will feel?

Well, in our Bible passage for today, we come to the end of a major project for Israel, and it’s also the end of the story of the first group of people to leave Persia and return to Jerusalem.

Three different groups left Persia and came to Jerusalem. The first group was under the leadership of two men. There was Zerubbabel, who was a political leader , and there was Jeshua, who was the high priest. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, over 40,000 Israelites left Persia or Babylon, intending to rebuild Jerusalem.

They started out by rebuilding the altar and laying the foundation for the Temple, but when opposition came from the enemies in the region, the work stopped for about 15 years. During that time, no progress was made on the Temple, and the Israelites simply went back to their normal lives. Cyrus’s kingdom passed to his oldest son Cambyses II, and then it passed to a man named Darius I.

As time passed, how did we go from a complacent people who stopped working to the completion of a new Temple? That is what chapters 5 and 6 of Ezra describe for us.

This is a longer passage than we usually cover, so I’m not going to read the whole thing upfront. But as we make our way through these chapters, I want to point out some aspects connected to the completing of the work. We’ll be using them as headings or signposts as we make our way through the story. They’re not new concepts, but they are good reminders.

The first component of the work which I’d like us to notice is the powerful word of God. The powerful word of God. Look at verse 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.

You can look at the books of Haggai and Zechariah if you’d like to read them for yourself. On a human level, those messages were a wake-up call to the people, inspiring them with hope and spurring them to action. But more than that, we know that it was the word of God doing its work in the people. Before the people could do the work of God, they had to be affected by the word of God. That’s an important principle to keep in mind. The people of God will not do the true work of God until they have been confronted by the word of God.

Now, verse 2 tells us what happened as a result of the prophets’ ministries—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.

We see there a second component to the work moving forward. We have the powerful word of God, and, secondly, we see the foundational role of leaders. The foundational role of leaders.

We saw this already back in chapter 3 when we first met Zerubbabel and Jeshua. Apparently, those guys had stopped leading the people to rebuild. But once the word of God does its work, the leaders rise to action. They resume their role in the work, and they lead the people to obedience. That’s the way it typically happens with large, important projects. Someone has to take leadership.

Now, as soon as the work resumes, we come to a third element involved, and this should be no surprise. We find the persistent opposition of enemies. The persistent opposition of enemies.

Look with me at verses 3 and 4—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?”

The first time opposition came, it came from the people living in that regions. This time, it comes from civil leaders under the authority of the Persian Empire. We have Tattenai the Tattletale and Shethar-bozenai the Bozo. (I think it’s okay if I make fun of them a little, because they’re dead, and they were opposing the work of God.)

Tattenai the Tattletale and Shethar-bozenai the Bozo don’t like what they see. Historically, this makes sense because the Persian Empire had to deal with rebellions rising up against them. So, when leaders see people getting organized for a project, they naturally approach this with some suspicion. In our minds, the Israelites are a main character in the story, but for the Persian authorities, this is just another group of people living under Persian rule. And they don’t want them getting out of control.

So the Tattletale and the Bozo say, “What are you doing? Are you authorized to do this? Where’s your decree? Where’s your paperwork?” And they decide that their job is literally start taking names. You can just imagine one of them saying, “I’m going to need all the information of these people. Write it down for me. Make a list. And it better be legible too.”

This took place 2,500 years ago, but I’m sure you can think of modern-day examples of government officials trying to record the names of people they would like to stop. Those databases might come about a little differently, but it’s the same idea. We need names as way of threatening the people and staying in power.

Despite this opposition, however, we come to a fourth element in the completion of the work, and that is the faithful hand of God. We have the powerful word of God, the foundational role of leaders, the persistent opposition of enemies, and now, the faithful hand of God.

Look at verse 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.

Working behind all the personal or historical details of this record is the merciful hand of God providing and protecting His people and His work.

In the grace of God, the Jewish leaders stayed strong. Spurred by the message of the prophets, they were not going to give up without a fight. In this case, however, it’s not a physical battle, it’s a legal one. The Jewish leaders essentially respond by saying, “Okay, go tell King Darius what’s going on. And let’s see what he says. But until we hear from him, our work continues.” It’s a very brave response. It’s another example of their leadership and of God’s blessing upon them.

And in the grace of God, it seems the enemies approve. The Tattletale and the Bozo send a letter to the King. Let’s look at verses 6-10.

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.

That’s where the story left off back in verse 5, but as this letter continues, it describes the response given by the Jewish leaders. What did they say to their opponents who asked for their names?

Verses 11-16 tell us. They say—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.’

They gave a summary of their history, but it wasn’t simply a historical answer. It was a recognition of the sovereignty of God. God was their true King. They were His servants. God was the one who ruled over Nebuchadnezzar and over Cyrus. And under the sovereignty of God, they had been given authority to do what they were doing.

There’s a lesson there regarding our mentality when we talk to unbelievers about our faith. When you take a position on an issue—something that is clear in the Scriptures—you can argue morally or politically about that position, but beyond that, you need to know that you can argue based on the authoritative word of God.

For example, as a local church in the United States, we might be glad that the first amendment grants us the freedom to gather for worship—or to call people to salvation and repentance—but that is not our highest authority. Even in countries where Christianity is outlawed, Christians can gather for worship and preach the gospel because they have been called to do so by the word of God. It’s a wonderful gift when the law of man lines up with the law of God, but never assume that we need man’s laws to do God’s work.

Now, in this case, the Israelites are appealing to both God’s sovereignty and to a political freedom. So, the letter from the Tattletale and the Bozo ends by humbly calling on the king to check it out.

Verse 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.

What is going to happen? What decision is the new king going to make? Let’s see the answer in chapter 6.

Chapter 6, verse 1—Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in Babylonia, in the house of the archives where the documents were stored. [2] And in Ecbatana, the citadel that is in the province of Media, a scroll was found on which this was written: “A record.

So, what we’re about to read is not the exact same language as the decree from chapter 1, but this is an official record. They didn’t find it where they expected it to be, but again, in the providence of God, they find something like the minutes of a special meeting. Here’s what it said.

Verse 3—In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king issued a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices were offered, and let its foundations be retained. Its height shall be sixty cubits and its breadth sixty cubits, [4] with three layers of great stones and one layer of timber. Let the cost be paid from the royal treasury. [5] And also let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought back to the temple that is in Jerusalem, each to its place. You shall put them in the house of God.”

This says exactly what the Israelites had said. They were authorized to build the temple, and the funds were even going to come from the Persian bank accounts.

So, Darius send back his own decree, and that’s what’s recorded in verses 6-12. Here’s what it says—Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and your associates the governors who are in the province Beyond the River, keep away. [7] Let the work on this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site. [8] Moreover, I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God. The cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province from Beyond the River. [9] And whatever is needed—bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests at Jerusalem require—let that be given to them day by day without fail, [10] that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons.

[11] Also I make a decree that if anyone alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of his house, and he shall be impaled on it, and his house shall be made a dunghill. [12] May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who shall put out a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God that is in Jerusalem. I Darius make a decree; let it be done with all diligence.”

How do you think this decree from Darius made the Israelites feel? What a relief, and what an encouragement! They get to keep building without any opposition. The Persians are going to pay for it and help provide sacrifices and food. And, there is even going to be Persian authorities making sure nobody interferes again. This is not just a political victory. This is a reminder that their God is with them! Their God is still working on their behalf!

Whatever the Tattletale and the Bozo were hoping would happen backfired on them. The work didn’t stop. It was confirmed and it was supported by the Persian king himself.

Darius is not a true convert. He simply sees the God of the Jews as one of the many gods of the peoples he had conquered. To him, this might simply be some superstitious or political issue. But the Jews know what’s really happening. The same God who was behind their judgment by the Assyrians and the Babylonians is the God working in the hearts of the Persian kings. God is there to bless His people and to support them.

Look at verses 13-18 with me. This is what happened next.

Then, according to the word sent by Darius the king, Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates did with all diligence what Darius the king had ordered. [14] And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia; [15] and this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

[16] And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. [17] They offered at the dedication of this house of God 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel 12 male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. [18] And they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their divisions, for the service of God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses.

Let me give you one final heading for this story—one final element of the work that had been done. We saw the powerful word of God, the foundational role of leaders, the persistent opposition of enemies, the faithful hand of God, and now, finally, we see the joyful worship of completion. The joyful worship of completion.

The work is done, and the people celebrate. Because of the continued ministry of the prophets, the work continued until the Temple was finished. King Cyrus and King Darius had made a decree to see the work move forward, but, behind all that, it was the decree of God that made this possible. That’s what verse 14 says, and you can underline it if you want—They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel.

The Temple was completed right about 70 years after it had been destroyed. It was completed about 20 years after the group had initially come back to Jerusalem. The time they spent not working was longer than the time they spent working, but that’s not what they’re focused on. They are focusing on the blessing of God that has made this possible.

They’re celebrating. They are joyful. They are worshiping the God of heaven in the way He asked them to do it—through the Temple in Jerusalem. And they made sure to follow all the commandments of Moses with regard to how to organize themselves.

The final paragraph of the chapter tells us they also kept the Passover, which was a very special celebration in itself, but even more now. Just like God has brought them out of Egypt, God had now brought them out of Babylon and Persia into their Promised Land.

That was a joyful meal, and it wasn’t just for the Israelites. It was open to anyone who wanted to serve the one, true God.

Look at verse 19, and I’ll read to the end of the chapter.

[19] On the fourteenth day of the first month, the returned exiles kept the Passover. [20] For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were clean. So they slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves. [21] It was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and also by every one who had joined them and separated himself from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to worship the Lord, the God of Israel. [22] And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

The overarching theme as this work comes to an end is not the Israelites ingenuity, or even their hard work. The focus here is the beautiful providence of God working to bless, to preserve, to protect, and to provide for His people so they can do His work.

Don’t let yourself forget about that. Don’t let your kids forget about that. This world is going to be filled with obstacles and opposition, but none of that is ever going to be able to stop the eternal plan of God for His people. God is with you as you do His work.

What the enemies of God’s work intended for evil, God used for good. Do you remember when Joseph said that to his brothers at the end of Genesis? They sinned, but God is greater than the sin of man, and he even uses sin to accomplish His purposes.

For those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose—That’s Romans 8:28.

And these chapters are simply one more example of that truth. Under the sovereignty of God, even the opposition of our enemies will turn out for the glory of God. Remember that when you see personal opposition or when you see the foolish political decisions made by every administration. The president of our nation may not understand the gospel, but Christ is still ruling over and through Him, in the good and the bad.

The single greatest expression of this reality is the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. He faced the opposition. But He was faithful. He trusted Himself to His heavenly Father. And what Satan and Judas and Herod and the Pharisees and the Romans meant for evil, God intended for the greatest good—the glory of His name in the redemption of sinners.

And just like the Temple was finally completed, in accordance with God’s plan, one day God’s eternal redemption in Christ will be completed as well. Christ will come and rule the earth and rescue His people forever. He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

God is going to complete His plan. And on that day, we will celebrate, and we will worship forever because Christ is King, and the whole world will know it.