DiscipleDeck
Get started
Bible Commentary

Ezra 4:6-16

The Pulpit Commentary on Ezra 4:6-16

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The work maligned.

Besides "hiring counsellors," as mentioned in ; or, it may be, in order to provide these counsellors with documents to present and act on; we are here told that the Samaritan "adversaries" sent various letters to the Persian kings against the temple builders at Jerusalem. One of these, sent to a king here styled Ahasuerus, is merely referred to as an "accusation." Another and more successful one, sent "in the days of Artaxerxes," is described at full length. With many commentators of note and of various schools (see Wordsworth, in loc.), we shall assume these two kings, notwithstanding the apparent diversity of their names, to be Cambyses and the Pseudo-Smerdis, the son and pretended son, and two next successors, of Cyrus. In any case the latter-named letter (verse 33), if not an exact copy, may be regarded as a fair sample, of what was sent. Looked at thus from the Jewish side of the question, it was a most formidable production:—equally so whether we now consider, on the one hand, its writers; or, on the other hand, its contents.

I. THE WRITERS. Much of the importance of a letter turns, of course, on this point. Were they

II. THE CONTENTS of the letter. These also were very formidable, because both weighty and well put. They comprised—

1. A severe accusation. The returned Jews were described as rebuilding a city always notorious for its evil name—Jerusalem "the rebellious" (). Such a charge no chief governor could afford to pass by. Such a charge, also, in this instance, had a very plausible look. Situated as the temple was, at the eastern edge of the city heights, the building of its foundation and enclosures (the real work of the men of Jerusalem) might easily be misrepresented as a "making ready" of the "walls" of the "city" itself.

2. A plain warning. "In the judgment of us who live on the spot, this thing is even worse than it seems. The building of this city means, in reality, the building of a fortress against the king; and that means, in turn, serious loss of revenue; for no taxes of any sort will that city pay, whether in money, or kind, or for using the highways."

3. A skilful apology. Why do we refer at all to so unpleasant a contingency? Simply as a matter of duty, and because of our loyalty. Having eaten of the king's salt (margin), being his dependents and subjects (possibly also his covenanted servants, ), we could not see even such possibility of hurt without speaking.

4. An appeal to history. Besides, the king can judge for himself on this subject. He has only to inquire for himself in the government records, and see what has always been said there about this city. Why, in fact, if not thus "rebellious," was it ever destroyed?

5. An appeal to reason. If things be thus, what must be the consequence—the inevitable consequence of such a city being again established? Has our warning gone far enough, in reality? There will not only be rebellion here, but a rival sovereignty; not only some revenue, but a whole province, lost. Such, at any rate (so we assure the king), is our fear.

This subject illustrates—

1. The perilous nature of Christian warfare. All the neighbours of the Jews were against them; all that could be urged was urged against them, and in the very best way. It would be difficult to improve the letter before us, considering the purpose in view. So many, so powerful, so subtle always are the enemies of the Church. (Comp. ; , ; .) Consider also, in a different sphere, ; ; ; and the very meaning of the name Diabolus.

2. The secret of Christian vitality. How has the Church survived all this except by help from above? Could Jerusalem have survived this present league and letter if left to itself? Comp. "I have reserved to myself," in ; .

3. The proper direction of Christian trust. With such enemies, with such accusers, to whom must we look for defence? Not to other men, not to ourselves, but only to the appointed "Advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous" (). He is more than all that are against us (; ; ). Also, being our "propitiation" (), he can say more for us than they against us. (Comp. "I have prayed for thee," in , ; and see , ; .)

HOMILIES BY J.S. EXELL

Recommended reading

More for Ezra 4:6-16

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Ezra 4:4-16Ezra 4:4-16 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe world's opposition to the Church. We observe, in reference to the world's opposition to the Church— I. THAT IT OFTEN SEEKS TO HINDER USEFUL ENTERPRISE, These Samaritans sought to "trouble them in building" (Ezra 4:4…The Pulpit Commentary on Ezra 4:4-16Ezra 4:4-16 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe world's opposition to the Church. We observe, in reference to the world's opposition to the Church— I. THAT IT OFTEN SEEKS TO HINDER USEFUL ENTERPRISE, These Samaritans sought to "trouble them in building" (Ezra 4:4…Matthew Henry on Ezra 4:6-24Ezra 4:6-24 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryIt is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requ…The Jews Misrepresented. (b. c. 521.)Ezra 4:6-16 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE JEWS MISREPRESENTED. (B. C. 521.) Cyrus stedfastly adhered to the Jews' interest, and supported his own grant. It was to no purpose to offer any thing to him in prejudice of it. What he did was from a good principle…The Pulpit Commentary on Ezra 4:6-24Ezra 4:6-24 · The Pulpit CommentaryThree thoughts from old documents. The determined attempts made by the Samaritans to prevent the Jews from building the temple and the walls of Jerusalem are well illustrated in the correspondence between them and the k…The Pulpit Commentary on Ezra 4:6-24Ezra 4:6-24 · The Pulpit CommentaryThree thoughts from old documents. The determined attempts made by the Samaritans to prevent the Jews from building the temple and the walls of Jerusalem are well illustrated in the correspondence between them and the k…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezra 4:4-16The world's opposition to the Church. We observe, in reference to the world's opposition to the Church— I. THAT IT OFTEN SEEKS TO HINDER USEFUL ENTERPRISE, These Samaritans sought to "trouble them in building" (Ezra 4:4…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezra 4:4-16The world's opposition to the Church. We observe, in reference to the world's opposition to the Church— I. THAT IT OFTEN SEEKS TO HINDER USEFUL ENTERPRISE, These Samaritans sought to "trouble them in building" (Ezra 4:4…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Ezra 4:6-24It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requ…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Jews Misrepresented. (b. c. 521.)THE JEWS MISREPRESENTED. (B. C. 521.) Cyrus stedfastly adhered to the Jews' interest, and supported his own grant. It was to no purpose to offer any thing to him in prejudice of it. What he did was from a good principle…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezra 4:6-24Three thoughts from old documents. The determined attempts made by the Samaritans to prevent the Jews from building the temple and the walls of Jerusalem are well illustrated in the correspondence between them and the k…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezra 4:6-16The work maligned. Besides "hiring counsellors," as mentioned in Ezra 4:5; or, it may be, in order to provide these counsellors with documents to present and act on; we are here told that the Samaritan "adversaries" sen…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezra 4:6-24Three thoughts from old documents. The determined attempts made by the Samaritans to prevent the Jews from building the temple and the walls of Jerusalem are well illustrated in the correspondence between them and the k…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezra 4:7And in the days of Artaxerxes. See the comment on Ezra 4:6. If Artaxerxes be the Pseudo-Smerdis, we can readily understand why an application was not made to him at once, and how it came about that the Jews recommenced…Joseph S. Exell and contributors