Haggai: Chapter 1 and 2 www.seachord.org

Haggai: Chapter 1 and 2                                   November 16, 2019


Haggai was one of the Post-exile, early post-captivity prophets.

His name means:  Hag = festival or my festival, Festive 

Haggai ministry was to rebuke the returned exiles for their delay in rebuilding the Temple and to encourage them to set to work.

Expressions such as “the word of the LORD came ” and “speaks the LORD of hosts” occurs 25 times in the two chapters of the prophecy.

The year 508 B.C. was significant enough for God to send a prophet to deal with a problem and to record what happened in the Word of God.

Difference between Ezra and Haggai message:

·      Ezra’s account focused on external pressures from the surrounding peoples, and did not dwell on the sinful condition of the people as they lived in the land.

·      Haggai focused on the internal attitudes of the people who valued material possessions above spiritual things (Hag 1:4-6).

Sixteen years earlier, the Persian emperor, Cyrus, had issued a decree permitting the Jewish exiles in Babylon to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple (cf. Ezra 1:2-4).  About 50,000 returned under the newly appointed governor of Judah, Zerubbabel and Joshua, the high priest. 

They cleared the temple court of rubble and replaced the altar of burnt offerings on its base, thus allowing the daily sacrifices to begin.  In the spring of the next year the foundations of the temple had been laid, then the troubles began.  Neighboring tribes—especially the Samaritans—were hostile.  Cyrus died in battle, and his successor Cambyses [also called Ahasuerus (Ezra 4:6)] was pressured to stop the work.

When the work ceased, the people returned to their private affairs, and gradually became accustomed to worshiping among the ruins of the once-great temple.  The desire to rebuild died out and they became reconciled to remaining the secular occupants in an impoverished land.

The sending of the prophet Haggai to challenge the people to rebuild led to a significant turning point in their history.

Haggia’s  audience was the remnant.  (They were not unbelievers.) They were the right people, living in the right place, wanting to do the right work, and for the right reasons. But their priorities were not right.  They were caught up in their own pursuits.  They were living for themselves rather than for God’s glory.  They started to tie themselves to the people of the land.

Haggai is divided into 2 chapters, focuses on the need for the people to:

1.   who have returned to Jerusalem to complete the rebuilding of the temple of God.

2.   to be reform their worship of God in the new Holy Temple

The Word of the Lord by Haggai, The First Message of Rebuke 

The Command to Rebuild the Temple, Introduction

Haggai 1:1 In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying,

·      Darius began his reign in 521 B.C.

·      First message of God through Haggai, prophet to Zerubbabel, is August 29, 520 B.C. The prophecies of Haggai are among the most precisely dated in the OT

·      Message of Zechariah began in Oct or Nov of same year (Zec 1:1)

·      Lord delivered his word; the word was not the prophet's, but the Lord's; and this is observed, to give weight and authority to it:

·      Sixth Month:  Called Elul, last month civil year, August / September.

·      About 43 years later, 478 B.C. Queen Esther became queen of Persia.

Haggai 1:2 "Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying: 'This people says, "The time has not come, the time that the LORD's house should be built." ' "

·      Lord of Hosts: requires implicit obedience

·      Opposition of Samaritans was intense.  They stopped work and rationalized it as God’s will.

·      Rebuilding the Temple among the people was not important.

·      This people: the Lord is displeased. Notice, He does not say, My People. Since they had neglected the Service of God.

The condition of the Exiles:

God’s discipline because of disobedience

Haggai 1:3-4 Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, (4) "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this Temple to lie in ruins?"  {a 2^nd prophecy, distinct from the 1^st}

The principal building material in Jerusalem was stone. Those who wanted to make their houses elaborate, installed wood panels on the walls.

They worked on their own homes before repairing God’s House, Temple.

Haggai 1:5 Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: "Consider your ways!

Consider Your sinful ways and repent of them, building fancy houses for yourselves and forget a place for worshiping God and Sacrificing. Prayer.  

The people were asked to consider both what they have done, their habits, activities or gained for themselves by their attitude seeking self-satisfaction at the sacrifice of God, not repairing the Temple, neglecting the place for the worship of that God who has restored you from captivity.

Haggai 1:6  "You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes."

Notice this verse has five proverbs in one verse.

1. You have sown much, and bring in little;

2. You eat, but do not have enough;

3. You drink, but you are not filled with drink;

4. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm;

5. And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes."

·      God was judging them concerning material things. 

·      Nothing what you have done has prospered with you while you neglected your duty to God.

·      The punishment corresponds to the sin. 

·      Due to high cost of necessaries, wages went as if they were in a bag with holes.

Is “bad luck” God’s way of getting our attention? Difficulties can only come to a child of God for a purpose.  All our difficulties—circumstances—are “Father filtered.”

What is the solution?  It isn’t political activism, etc.  It is obedience. It is getting on with what God has given us to do.  

*Chronicles tells us: if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 

Haggai 1:7-8 Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Consider your ways! (8) Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified," says the LORD.

The people were instructed to do three things:

1)     Go up to the mountain {Lebanon and get timber – cedar trees}

2)     Bring the wood

3)     Build the house.

Why, build the Temple, so the Lord take pleasure and will be glorified.

Haggai 1:9  "You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?" says the LORD of hosts. "Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house.

They had concern for personal comfort, their own interests and buildings, not God’s House. 

Haggai 1:10-11 Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit. (11) For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands."

Blessing and cursing promises {Deut 28}  Many diseases afflicted them.

God told Israel He was responsible for the drought; and their lack of success.  They had neglected Him.  No rain. No crops.  

We covered before how Famine in the Scriptures is often an instrument of God’s wrath (2 Kgs 8:1; Ps 105:16).  

The 1^st Message of Encouragement, the work starts now

The Response to the Challenge, the People Obey the Lord

Haggai 1:12  Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him; and the people feared the presence of the LORD.

Account of the success of Haggai's prophecy;

The results of Haggai’s message: They 1)  obeyed God (1 Sam 15:22 – to obey is better than sacrifice) and  2)  feared God (Prov 9:10 – fear of the Lord is beginning of wisdom).

Haggai 1:13 Then Haggai, the LORD's messenger, spoke the LORD's message to the people, saying, "I am with you, says the LORD."

The Lord gives comfort and high encouragement to the people.

Haggai 1:14-15 So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, (15) on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius.

The Lord stirred up the human spirit of His Leaders / people to finish the task.  In History, the Lord always has a remnant that exists.

It is now 23 days after the first message of Haggai from God, This chapter focus on the people and to prepare for the true worship of the Living God. 

The 2^nd Message of Encouragement:  The Future Glory of the Temple

Temples

Haggai 2:1-2 In the seventh month, on the twenty-first of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying: (2) "Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying:

They had been working about a month. Note: It was the 7th day of the Feast of Tabernacles.  Day before the Last Great Day.  This is the Lord’s Word.

This prophecy was intended to prevent discouragement and to work on the Temple, this was very shortly before that of Zechariah prophecy.

Haggai 2:3  'Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing?   {Nothing compared to Solomon’s Temple}

Many could remember the splendor of Solomon’s Temple, and this one was poor or not the same quality by comparison. They probably rushed, and improvised to have it ready for the Feast of Tabernacles.  Almost 70 years.

Haggai 2:4 Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,' says the LORD; 'and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,' says the LORD, 'and work; for I am with you,' says the LORD of hosts.

Notice how often God’s messenger admonishes us to “be strong”: Don’t be discouraged. “I am with you.” And work on the Temple.

The greatest strength is to have The Lord with us as our strength. Not in man’s “might,” but in that of God’s Spirit.   

*Zechariah 4:6 So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.

Haggai 2:5  'According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!'

The covenant with Israel

*Exodus 19:5-6 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. (6) And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."

Then, Jesus Spirit was “among” them.  Now, Jesus Spirit is “in” us today.

Haggai 2:6-7  "For thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; (7) and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,' says the LORD of hosts.

Prophecy: Shake all nations, heaven, earth, sea, dry land: This is another way of speaking of the day of the Lord. The purpose of the day of the Lord is to prepare the earth for the glorious reign of Jesus Christ on earth

Desire of All Nations, is Jesus, the Messiah, savor of all mankind.

*Matthew 24:29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

The future physical Temple will be filled with His glory and or fill us.

Haggai 2:8  'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the LORD of hosts.

The Lord owns all the wealth of all nations.

Haggai 2:9  'The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,' says the LORD of hosts. 'And in this place I will give peace,' says the LORD of hosts."

Peace includes good health, well-being, and an abundant life.

Blessings for a Defiled People who are obedient

Cover issues concerning the clean and the unclean, Holy vs unholy.

The 2^nd Message of Rebuke: The Third Prophecy

God’s Message of cleansing and blessings, Issues concerning the clean and the unclean

Haggai 2:10-11 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, (11) "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Now, ask the priests concerning the law, saying,  {December 520 B.C.}

The priests were to understand the law, teach, instructing and to answer questions about God’s Law for the people.  Haggai impresses upon the people and priest the truth.  Haggai ask 2 questions.

*Matthew 23:2-3 saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. (3) Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.

Haggai 2:12  "If one carries holy {or consecrated} meat in the fold of his garment, and with the edge he touches bread or stew, wine or oil, or any food, will it become holy?" ' " Then the priests answered and said, "No."

Haggai 2:13  And Haggai said, "If one who is unclean because of a dead body touches any of these, will it be unclean?" So the priests answered and said, "It shall be unclean."

Important principle: Holiness cannot be transferred by contact.

Now, Unholiness can be transferred by contact (Num 19:11).

A legally “unclean” person imparts or contaminate his uncleanness to anything he touches, whereas a legally holy thing cannot transfer its Holiness on an “unclean” person

Dirty water will discolor clean water; but many drops of water will not purity dirty water.

So what is Haggai saying, the bottom line:  

We cannot run with the wrong crowd and stay clean. It is the same how the lifestyle of the people related to their worship of God.

Haggai 2:14 Then Haggai answered and said, " 'So is this people, and so is this nation before Me,' says the LORD, 'and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean.

The existence of the temple itself guaranteed nothing. The hearts of the people had to be in harmony with the sacrifices being made

Their unclean hearts made their service for God unclean.  This is the reason that an unsaved person can do nothing that is acceptable to God.

Issues concerning cursing and blessings

Haggai 2:15-16 'And now, carefully consider from this day forward: from before stone was laid upon stone in the temple of the LORD (16) since those days, when one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten; when one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty measures, there were but twenty.

Gives a heads up. Consider how God plagued you with famine before you began to build the temple

Haggai 2:17 I struck you with blight and mildew and hail in all the labors of your hands; yet you did not turn to Me,' says the LORD.

Despite God’s acts of withholding His blessing, the people still had not turned fully back to Him.

Haggai 2:18  'Consider now from this day forward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day that the foundation of the LORD's temple was laid--consider it:

Haggai 2:19 Is the seed still in the barn? As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. But from this day I will bless you.' "

Seed is in the ground.  God will bless them now for now building Temple.

God tells them, you shall be blest in them all, and have a large produce.

The 3^rd Message of Encouragement:  The Final Overthrow of the Gentile World Power.

Fourth Prophecy, same date as Prophecy 3, 2 messages the same day

Zerubbabel Chosen as a signet, {I have chosen you as Representative of the Jewish Nation}, with a gracious promise of safety and distinction

Haggai 2:20-21 And again the word of the LORD came to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying, (21) "Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying: 'I will shake heaven and earth.

Haggai 2:22 I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overthrow the chariots And those who ride in them; The horses and their riders shall come down, Every one by the sword of his brother.

The Lord’s final judgment to replace the wicked nations at the time He returns to set up the Kingdom of God at the start of the Millennium, as King of kings

All other world kingdoms are to be overthrown to make way for Christ’s Kingdom of God starting in the Millennium. War chariots are to give place to His reign of peace

Haggai 2:23 'In that day,' says the LORD of hosts, 'I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,' says the LORD, 'and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,' says the LORD of hosts.

A signet ring was an item of great value to be used by the Lord, royalty and carefully kept.  The owner used it much like we use our personal signature on checks or other important documents. The signet is a symbol of Royal Authority.

God used this imagery to indicate that Zerubbabel was in His hand, that he was highly valued, and that he represented God’s authority in his leadership of the people. 

Even though the people had been told they were still unclean in God’s eyes,  their leader Zerubbabel was encouraged to guide them through those spiritually trying times.

Zerubbabel, son of a Shealtiel, appears in each of the genealogies of Jesus, both Matthew (1:12) and Luke (3:27).  Meaning, the Messianic line came through Zerubbabel as a descendant of David.

If you have time, read book of Zechariah was the other prophet and he covers how all will observe the Feast of Tabernacles during the Millennium.  This book goes hand in hand with Haggai. 

Temple completed 4 years later (Ezra 5:1).

Ezra: Chapter 5-7 www.seachord.org

Ezra: Chapter 5-7                             December 7, 2019


Work on Temple resumed through encouragement of Prophets

Now Rebuilding Begins Anew

Ezra 5:1 Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them.

The work on the temple had been stopped, from 535 to 520 B.C. Now under the influence of two important prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, it was resumed.

Last week we covered Haggai ministry that was to correct the returned exiles (Jews) for their delay in rebuilding the Temple and to encourage them to set to work.

Expressions such as “the word of the LORD came ” and “speaks the LORD of hosts” occurs 25 times in the two chapters of the prophecy.

Haggai prophesied from August to December 520 B.C., and Zechariah prophesied for two years beginning in October-November 520.

Both prophets placed the blame for the hard times the nation experienced during this period on the people’s lack of obedience in not rebuilding the temple.  (However, Ezra did not deal with that question in his book. He stressed the outside opposition which was also a factor in slowing the work.)

Ezra 5:2  So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Joshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them, helping them.

The building process itself was spearheaded by Zerubbabel and Jeshua,  prophets Haggai and Zechariah respectively, encouraging the people to work by their presence.  The work had stop for about fifteen years.

Ezra 5:3  At the same time Tattenai the governor {502 B.C.} of the region beyond the River and Shethar-Boznai and their companions came to them and spoke thus to them: "Who has commanded you to build this temple and finish this wall?"

But as soon as the work was resumed, another effort was made to stop it.  Israel’s leaders came into direct conflict with the duly established.  Only 20 regional governors in the Persian Empire.

Ezra 5:4 Then, accordingly, we told them the names of the men who were constructing this building.  

{Give the Names of only those working on the Temple, not leaders names}

Ezra 5:5  But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, so that they could not make them cease till a report could go to Darius. Then a written answer was returned concerning this matter.

But despite this challenge, the work did not stop because the eye of their God was protecting and watching over them who obeyed His command.

Jews Hater’s Letter: to King Darius

Ezra 5:6 This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai sent: The governor of the region beyond the River, and Shethar-Boznai, and his companions, the Persians who were in the region beyond the River, to Darius the king.

The governor who was under Persian custom and law, sent this letter to King Darius.

Letter

Ezra 5:7  (They sent a letter to him, in which was written thus) To Darius the king: All peace.

Ezra 5:8 Let it be known to the king that we went into the province of Judea, to the temple of the great God, which is being built with heavy stones, and timber is being laid in the walls; and this work goes on diligently and prospers in their hands.

Tattenai began his letter by noting that work was being done on the Temple of the great God in Jerusalem. Notice: The Temple walls, not the city walls.

Ezra 5:9  Then we asked those elders, and spoke thus to them: "Who commanded you to build this temple and to finish these walls?"

Ezra 5:10  We also asked them their names to inform you, that we might write the names of the men who were chief among them.

Wanted names of who was responsible and names of the people working

Ezra 5:11 And thus they returned us an answer, saying: "We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and completed.  {Learn about Jews History and destiny, Great King, is Solomon}

Ezra 5:12 But because our fathers provoked the God of heaven to wrath, He gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this temple and carried the people away to Babylon.  {they acknowledgment the reality and sovereignty of God}

Ezra 5:13 However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to build this house of God.

Ezra 5:14 Also, the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple that was in Jerusalem and carried into the temple of Babylon--those King Cyrus took from the temple of Babylon, and they were given to one named Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor.    { another name for Zerubbabel}

Ezra 5:15  And he said to him, 'Take these articles; go, carry them to the temple site that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its former site.'

Ezra 5:16  Then the same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem; but from that time even until now it has been under construction, and it is not finished."

Ezra 5:17 Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the king's treasure house, which is there in Babylon, whether it is so that a decree was issued by King Cyrus to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send us his pleasure concerning this matter.

The Kings treasure house contained the official records and treasury??

End of Letter

Darius confirm the decree of Cyrus

Ezra 6:1 Then King Darius issued a decree, and a search was made in the archives, where the treasures were stored in Babylon.  {nothing found here}

Ezra 6:2  And at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a scroll was found, and in it a record was written thus:  {Summer Residence}

The scroll said:  King Darius reply by quoting the decree of King Cyrus

Ezra 6:3 In the first year of King Cyrus, King Cyrus issued a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem: "Let the house be rebuilt, the place where they offered sacrifices; and let the foundations of it be firmly laid, its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits,

The porch of Solomon’s Temple was twice this height (2 Chr 3:4)

Ezra 6:4 with three rows of heavy stones and one row of new timber. Let the expenses be paid from the king's treasury. 

Describes the construction of the wall of the inner court.

Ezra 6:5 Also let the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple which is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and taken back to the temple which is in Jerusalem, each to its place; and deposit them in the house of God"

Decree of King Cyrus was found in Ezra 1:2-4

This Temple was half the size of Solomon's Temple

1)     The temple was to be 90 feet high and 90 feet wide, with three courses of large stones and one of timbers (cf. 5:8; 1 Kgs 6:36).

2)     The project was to be financed by funds from the royal treasury. This shows the earnestness of Cyrus’ repatriation program.

3)     The returned gold and silver articles were to be put in their places in the temple.

King Darius then gave a warning and strong instructions to Tattenai and his associates:  King concluded the Jewish people were doing was legal and the government should stop opposing them and let the construction continue.  

Ezra 6:6 Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the region beyond the River, and Shethar-Boznai, and your companions the Persians who are beyond the River, keep yourselves far from there.

Cyrus told them to leave the Jews alone and not interfere with the building of the temple

Ezra 6:7 Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God on its site.

Ezra 6:8 Moreover I issue a decree as to what you shall do for the elders of these Jews, for the building of this house of God: Let the cost be paid at the king's expense from taxes on the region beyond the River; this is to be given immediately to these men, so that they are not hindered.

Tax money was to be used to help finance the project and animals were to be supplied daily so that sacrifices could be made at the altar of the new temple along with food items for the offerings.

Ezra 6:9 And whatever they need--young bulls, rams, and lambs for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the request of the priests who are in Jerusalem--let it be given them day by day without fail,

Ezra 6:10 that they may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons.

The order to not stop reconstruction of the Temple, he also had to fund its completion.  If they do not, this is what will happen to them.

Ezra 6:11 Also I issue a decree that whoever alters this edict, let a timber be pulled from his house and erected, and let him be hanged on it; and let his house be made a refuse heap because of this.

Esther, therefore this was no idle threat!

Ezra 6:12 And may the God who causes His name to dwell there destroy any king or people who put their hand to alter it, or to destroy this house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius issue a decree; let it be done diligently.

Anyone who disobeyed the edict was to suffer a horrible fate, death, impaling, just as Haman was.

So Tattenai’s inquiry backfired. Instead of stopping the temple work, he had to let it proceed and even had to help pay for it out of his revenues!

Darius’ curse on anyone who would destroy the temple was fulfilled in:

a)     Antiochus Epiphanes, who desecrated it in 167 B.C., and died insane three years later;

b)     Herod the Great (37-4 B.C.), who added extensively to the temple to glorify himself, and who had domestic trouble and died of disease; and

c)     the Romans, who destroyed the temple in A.D. 70, and later had their empire destroyed.

Temple completed and Dedicated

Ezra 6:13 Then Tattenai, governor of the region beyond the River, Shethar-Boznai, and their companions diligently did according to what King Darius had sent.  {no indication the Jews was mistreated in any way}

Ezra 6:14 So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

The work was done by the Jewish elders who were encouraged by the preaching of the Prophets Haggai and Zechariah (cf. 5:1).

Ezra 6:15 Now the temple was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.  {515 b.c.}

The temple was completed in Adar (February-March) of 515: 21 years after the work started in 536, and 4 1/2 years after Haggai began his prophesying. This was 70 years after the temple had been destroyed on August 12, 586.

Ezra 6:16 Then the children of Israel, the priests and the Levites and the rest of the descendants of the captivity, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.

Ezra 6:17  And they offered sacrifices at the dedication of this house of God, one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.


After the temple was finished, it was then dedicated. The comparatively small number of animals sacrificed, contrasted sharply with the tremendous amount sacrificed by Solomon at the dedication of the first temple, This points up how poor the people were, also more wealthy people before. 

Ezra 6:18 They assigned the priests to their divisions and the Levites to their divisions, over the service of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses.

Passover restored and Celebrated

The Law laid down the duties of the Priests and Levites {Num. 18}. Later the divisions of priests and Levites were instituted by David. {1 Chronicles 23}

Ezra 6:19  And the descendants of the captivity kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.

This was the first time in 70 years that the people partook of the Passover with sacrifices offered in the Temple.

Ezra 6:20 For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves; all of them were ritually clean. And they slaughtered the Passover lambs for all the descendants of the captivity, for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.

Ezra 6:21 Then the children of Israel who had returned from the captivity ate together with all who had separated themselves from the filth of the nations of the land in order to seek the LORD God of Israel.

Think there was a problem of those who return and those in the land.  Called filth of the nations: Idolatry practices and intermarriages with others.

Ezra 6:22 And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy; for the LORD made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria {Darius} toward them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

During this period, the events of the Book of Esther took place.  Artaxerxes was step son of Queen Esther, 

Ezra, a priest who knew the Scriptures, knew the importance of having the people back where the sacrificial system was being practiced.

The events which transpire in this section of the narrative occurred during the reign of Artaxerxes who was introduced earlier in the book (4:8-23; 6:14). The return occurred in the king’s seventh year, which was 458 B.C.

Around 58 years elapsed between Chapter 6 and 7; during this period the events in Esther took place.

Ezra Sent to Teach the People and about Ezra Ministry

Ezra’s journey from Babylon to Jerusalem; his ancestry and companions, 457 BC

Ezra 7:1  Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,

“Now after these things”: Between chapters 6 and 7, 58 years intervene, during which time the events of the Book of Esther occurred.  This might explain Artaxerxes’ favorable attitude toward Ezra. Ezra the son of Seraiah.

Ezra 7:2-5 the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, (3) the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, (4) the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, (5) the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest--

Ezra, direct lineage to Aaron, God’s chief priest.  Can be High Priest.  This list is abbreviated, for it does not name every generation. 

Ezra 7:6-7 this Ezra came up from Babylon; and he was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given. The king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him. (7) Some of the children of Israel, the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the Nethinim came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.

Ezra was a teacher well-versed in the Law of Moses and a skilled scribe.

Ezra had the blessing of the pagan King Artaxerxes as well as the blessing of the covenant God of Israel and God’s grace working on Ezra’s behalf

A few years later Nehemiah had an official position before the king (Neh 1:11), but Ezra held no such position. Because of the king’s favor Ezra was promised that he could have whatever he wanted. Rather than ask for something personal, Ezra used the monarch’s favor to advance the cause of God and His people.

Ezra 7:8-9 And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. (9) On the first day of the first month he began his journey from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.

The trip back to the land took exactly four months.  The route traveled by Ezra was dangerous because a rebellion had broken out in Egypt and spring was the time when ancient armies began their campaigns.

Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Notice, Ezra was inwardly determined toward doing three things: studying God’s Law, obeying it, and teaching it to others – in order for a successful ministry

Because of this, the gracious good hand of God empowered him 

Decree of Artaxerxes on Ezra’s behalf

Ezra 7:11 This is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave Ezra the priest, the scribe, expert in the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of His statutes to Israel:       {Teacher of scribes}

Artaxerxes wrote a letter in Aramaic to Ezra, giving him permission to take Jewish volunteers, silver and gold, and temple vessels back to Jerusalem. Also, he made ample provision for temple supplies and ministers, and gave Ezra authority to appoint magistrates and judges.

Letter starts

Ezra 7:12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, a scribe of the Law of the God of heaven: Perfect peace, and so forth.

Perfect peace describes a treaty relationship between the Persian emperor and the vassal state of Israel

Ezra 7:13 I issue a decree that all those of the people of Israel and the priests and Levites in my realm, who volunteer to go up to Jerusalem, may go with you.

Artaxerxes listed certain freedoms the people were to have as they journeyed to and lived in Israel. He gave them permission to go to Jerusalem.   Details are now given in the letter.

Ezra 7:14 And whereas you are being sent by the king and his seven counselors to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, with regard to the Law of your God which is in your hand;

Ezra 7:15 and whereas you are to carry the silver and gold which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem;

Ezra 7:16 and whereas all the silver and gold that you may find in all the province of Babylon, along with the freewill offering of the people and the priests, are to be freely offered for the house of their God in Jerusalem—

3 sources of offering of silver and gold to take with them and he allowed them to get more in Babylon (vv. 15-16, 20).

Ezra 7:17 now therefore, be careful to buy with this money bulls, rams, and lambs, with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them on the altar of the house of your God in Jerusalem.

He said that they could offer sacrifices on the altar at the temple.

Ezra 7:18 And whatever seems good to you and your brethren to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, do it according to the will of your God.

They were also given freedom to make their own decisions.

Ezra 7:19 Also the articles that are given to you for the service of the house of your God, deliver in full before the God of Jerusalem.

Ezra 7:20 And whatever more may be needed for the house of your God, which you may have occasion to provide, pay for it from the king's treasury.

Ezra had what amounted to a royal blank check, however there were a limits on the supplies.

Ezra 7:21 And I, even I, Artaxerxes the king, issue a decree to all the treasurers who are in the region beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, may require of you, let it be done diligently,

Ezra 7:22 up to one hundred talents of silver, one hundred kors of wheat, one hundred baths of wine, one hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribed limit.

They could have whatever else they needed for the temple up to a certain limit. The wheat, oil, and salt were for use in the grain offerings (cf. 6:9; Lev 2

Ezra 7:23 Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it diligently be done for the house of the God of heaven. For why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons? 

Sons:  Esther is a grandmother?

Ezra 7:24 Also we inform you that it shall not be lawful to impose tax, tribute, or custom on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Nethinim, or servants of this house of God.

The priests and Levites were not to be taxed, they were exempt from every form of tax..

Ezra 7:25 And you, Ezra, according to your God-given wisdom, set magistrates and judges who may judge all the people who are in the region beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God; and teach those who do not know them.

Uninstructed Jews were to be taught the Scriptures

Ezra 7:26 Whoever will not observe the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily on him, whether it be death, or banishment, or confiscation of goods, or imprisonment.

Remember this when we get to the last chapter.

In return for granting these privileges the king was to receive some benefits from the expedition. He wanted to avoid uprisings or feelings of anger against him (v. 23) and to have order in that part of his empire

Ezra was responsible to administer justice to all the people of the area, that is, to all who knew the laws of his God—the Jewish people.  Ezra also was to administer the judicial system by handing out punishment to any who would not obey

Ezra’s Thanksgiving

Ezra 7:27 Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem,

Ezra’s response to the king’s decree shows what kind of man he was.  He praised the LORD for what was being done under him.  

Ezra 7:28 and has extended mercy to me before the king and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty princes. So I was encouraged, as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me; and I gathered leading men of Israel to go up with me.

Ezra also said that God’s mercy was shown to him in front of all the king’s pagan advisers and officials.