The work stopped.
The ostensible object of the letter to Artaxerxes (Ezra 4:11-16) was to stop the building of the walls of Jerusalem. Its real object was to put a stop to the building of God's house. In this for a time it succeeded, as our present passage records. Two things are to be especially noticed in the story of this grievous success. The weapon obtained was most efficient; the use made of it was most effectual.
I. As EFFICIENT AID IS AS EVIL PLAN. This the Samaritans found provided for them in the reply of King Artaxerxes. Besides the bare fact of having a reply at all, which was satisfactory so far as showing that their accusation had reached headquarters (as they had planned), the reply itself, when examined, turned out all they could wish. For example, its language showed that their representations had met
(3) most ample support. All that they had said was found true. Jerusalem,was found described in the government archives as "seditious," and that "of old (Ezra 4:19). Also their fears as to the loss of revenue, and even of the province, had been fully justified by the search. Jerusalem, so it was found, had formerly both ruled and taxed all "beyond the river;" and might do so again, of course, if rebuilt (Ezra 4:20). Not only so, but it may perhaps be noticed that, so far as the search went, nothing of an adverse nature had been found; or, at any rate, if found, had not been referred to. Esther 6:2, Esther 6:4 are at least sufficient to show how different a complexion the results of this search might have had, if thorough and earnest. Also, that, had it been so, the designs of the Samaritans would probably not have met, as we find them doing,
II. AN EFFICIENT AID IN AN EVIL PLAN EFFECTUALLY EMPLOYED. Were the Samaritans able to use the aid thus placed in their hands? Were they satisfied with merely obtaining so welcome a decree? Unless a weapon is effectually wielded, it might as well remain hanging up in the armoury. Unless a decree is made known and enforced, it differs nothing from one not yet passed—so far, at any rate, as its results are concerned? The Samaritan leaders and council, to whom came, in the first instance, the above-described decree of the king, seem to have been fully alive to these truths. They appear to have met together (verse 23) in order to hear its contents. It was doubtless "read before" them with all proper state. After this, there was
See, therefore, in this matter—
1. The mystery of God's ways. The omnipotent God himself allowed his own work to be stopped l Not merely his own workmen. That is another thing, and often the case. Even such a stoppage, however, is, not uncommonly, a sufficiently mysterious thing in our eyes. The Baptist, apparently, felt this himself (Matthew 11:2-6). Who, again, without marvel, can see the glorious sunrise of Stephen's ministry (Acts 6:8-13) so suddenly set before men (Jeremiah 15:9; Acts 7:59). But this phenomenon of the cessation of the work itself is more marvellous still, because it appears at first hardly consistent with God's own attributes and nature. Does it mean that he has changed his purposes (1 Samuel 15:29; Romans 11:29; James 1:17)? Or that he cannot carry them out? Especially may we ask thus where the work in question is one for which he has done so much and so triumphantly, as in this instance (see chaps, 1.-3; almost throughout). And still more where the cessation of the work is brought about by the enemies of himself and his people, and that with such a spring-tide of success as our eyes have just seen. The greatest things and the smallest (so our attention to some of the very minutiae of this case has served to show us), the "stars in their courses" and the dust of the desert have seemed in league here with God's foes And the end has been—what? The open failure, in the eyes of his enemies, and in the eyes of his friends as well, of the undertaking on which he had set his heart. That is what that deserted temple enclosure, with its manifestly interrupted labours, and its sorry wealth of unused materials, seemed to say for so long. It was like the flag of the enemies of Jehovah waving triumphantly over the very citadel of his strength (Psalms 74:7)!
2. The mercy of God's ways. After all, the case was not desperate. There was just a gleam of light in the darkness; a gleam, it is possible, that would never have been noticed unless the surrounding darkness had been so extreme; a gleam, however, all the more worthy of notice on that very account. Why that singular suggestion of a possible second "commandment" in the (otherwise) unfaltering royal decree of this chapter? Does Scripture tell us of anything like it in any other document of this nature (comp. Ezra 1:2-4; Ezra 6:6-12; Ezra 7:11-26; Daniel 3:29; Daniel 6:25-27)? Considering, indeed, the almost excessive value attached by the ancient Persian government to the idea of "finality" in its legislation (Daniel 6:1-28. throughout), is not this curious hint in the exactly opposite direction a feature of most singular note? And may we not believe, therefore, with all reverence, that we see in it the special handiwork and the special mercy of God himself? Often does he give such dim but priceless glimmerings of hope to those on the very verge of despair (see 13:22, 13:23; 2 Samuel 24:12-14; Jeremiah 4:27; Jeremiah 5:9, Jeremiah 5:10, Jeremiah 5:18; Luke 8:49, Luke 8:50; Luke 24:17, Luke 24:32; Acts 20:9, Acts 20:10). This is equally true of his Church (Psalms 12:1), and of souls (Psalms 27:13). So often may it be said of both of them, as in 2 Corinthians 4:8, 2 Corinthians 4:9.
ften cruel. To be
HOMILIES BY J.S. EXELL