Esdras - Caput 5

Esdras 5.1 prophetaverunt autem Aggeus propheta et Zaccharias filius Addo prophetantes ad Iudaeos qui erant in Iudaea et Hierusalem in nomine Dei Israhel Esdras 5.2 tunc surrexerunt Zorobabel filius Salathihel et Iosue filius Iosedech et coeperunt aedificare templum Dei in Hierusalem et cum eis prophetae Dei adiuvantes eos Esdras 5.3 in ipso tempore venit ad eos Tatannai qui erat dux trans Flumen et Starbuzannai et consiliarii eorum sicque dixerunt eis quis dedit vobis consilium ut domum hanc aedificaretis et muros hos instauraretis Esdras 5.4 ad quod respondimus eis quae essent nomina hominum auctorum illius aedificationis Esdras 5.5 oculus autem Dei eorum factus est super senes Iudaeorum et non potuerunt inhibere eos placuitque ut res ad Darium referretur et tunc satisfacerent adversus accusationem illam Esdras 5.6 exemplar epistulae quam misit Tatannai dux regionis trans Flumen et Starbuzannai et consiliatores eius Apharsacei qui erant trans Flumen ad Darium regem Esdras 5.7 sermo quem miserant ei sic scriptus erat Dario regi pax omnis Esdras 5.8 notum sit regi isse nos ad Iudaeam provinciam ad domum Dei magni quae aedificatur lapide inpolito et ligna ponuntur in parietibus opusque illud diligenter extruitur et crescit in manibus eorum Esdras 5.9 interrogavimus ergo senes illos et ita diximus eis quis dedit vobis potestatem ut domum hanc aedificaretis et muros instauraretis Esdras 5.10 sed et nomina eorum quaesivimus ab eis ut nuntiaremus tibi quae scripsimus nomina virorum qui sunt principes in eis Esdras 5.11 huiuscemodi autem sermonem responderunt nobis dicentes nos sumus servi Dei caeli et terrae et aedificamus templum quod erat extructum ante hos annos multos quodque rex Israhel magnus aedificaverat et extruxerat Esdras 5.12 postquam autem ad iracundiam provocaverunt patres nostri Deum caeli et tradidit eos in manu Nabuchodonosor regis Babylonis Chaldei domum quoque hanc destruxit et populum eius transtulit in Babylonem Esdras 5.13 anno autem primo Cyri regis Babylonis Cyrus rex proposuit edictum ut domus Dei aedificaretur Esdras 5.14 nam et vasa templi Dei aurea et argentea quae Nabuchodonosor tulerat de templo quod erat in Hierusalem et asportaverat ea in templum Babylonis protulit Cyrus rex de templo Babylonis et data sunt Sasabassar vocabulo quem et principem constituit Esdras 5.15 dixitque ei haec vasa tolle et vade et pone ea in templo quod est in Hierusalem et domus Dei aedificetur in loco suo Esdras 5.16 tunc itaque Sasabassar ille venit et posuit fundamenta templi Dei in Hierusalem et ex eo tempore usque nunc aedificatur et necdum conpletum est Esdras 5.17 nunc ergo si videtur regi bonum recenseat in bibliotheca regis quae est in Babylone utrumnam a Cyro rege iussum sit ut aedificaretur domus Dei in Hierusalem et voluntatem regis super hac re mittat ad nos

Esdras : Caput 5

The Resumption of Temple Rebuilding in Ezra 5

Chapter 5 of the book of Ezra represents a key moment in the history of God's people, marking the resumption of the rebuilding of the temple. What motivates the people to return to work? This inspiring passage highlights the prophetic ministry of Haggai and Zechariah, who encourage the people to resume construction despite the challenges they face.

The Prophetic Ministry

Ezra 5 also records an official investigation into the legality of the project and the loyalty of the people to continue work despite the prevailing uncertainty. This chapter illustrates the power of the prophetic word and underscores the importance of obedience to God's will. Let's reflect together on five biblical passages that shed light on the themes of encouragement and faithfulness present in this crucial chapter.

Illuminating Bible Passages

Haggai 1:14-15: "Then the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. They came and began to work in the temple of the Lord of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month in the second year of the reign of Darius." This passage from Haggai relates directly to the resumption of temple construction described in Ezra 5.

Zechariah 4:6-7: "Then he said to me, 'This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Who do you think you are, O great mountain? You will become a plain before Zerubbabel. Then he will lay the cornerstone, crying, 'God bless you!' God bless you!"' This prophecy of Zechariah encourages Zerubbabel to rebuild the temple, just as Ezra 5 describes.

Daniel 6:8-9: "Now, O king, publish the decree and have it written so that it can be changed, according to the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed. So King Darius ordered the decree to be written." This passage from Daniel illustrates the irrevocable nature of Persian laws, which is relevant to the letter sent to King Darius in Ezra 5.

Nehemiah 2:20: "I replied to them, 'The God of heaven will grant us success. We, your servants, will begin the rebuilding, but as for you, you have no portion, no right, no memorial in Jerusalem.'" Nehemiah's response to his opponents echoes the attitude of the Jewish leaders in Ezra 5 when faced with the questions of the Persian authorities.

Isaiah 44:26: "who fulfills the words of his servants and fulfills the predictions of his messengers, who says of Jerusalem, 'It shall be inhabited,' and of the cities of Judah, 'They shall be rebuilt,' and of its ruins, 'I will restore them.'" This prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled in the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple, as described in Ezra 5.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ezra chapter 5 reminds us of the power of faith and the importance of listening to divine messages. May these passages inspire us to remain faithful to our mission, to encourage others, and to rebuild our own lives on solid foundations in God's will.