“At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall? Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building? But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.” — Ezra 5:3-5

Great undertakings often meet with challenges. That certainly was the case when the Erie Canal, the first major infrastructure project in America, was proposed in 1816. 

Many scoffed at the idea of a 363-mile waterway connecting the Hudson River to the Great Lakes. They dismissed the proposal as folly, citing lack of funds, insufficient expertise, and unforgiving terrain. European engineers refused to assist with what they viewed as a foolhardy scheme. Even the American President, Thomas Jefferson, considered the plan “little short of madness.” 

However, New York governor DeWitt Clinton was convinced that a canal could be built that would greatly facilitate commercial traffic in the nation. He persisted in advancing the project, which many derisively referred to as “DeWitt’s Ditch” or “Clinton’s Folly.” An amateur crew consisting of self-taught local engineers, a few inexperienced surveyors, and at least one local math teacher, did the initial planning. Ground was broken on July 4, 1817, and the eight-year-long project began. 

Challenges were significant. Much of New York State was a morass of forest, swamps, and underbrush at the time. Earth-moving machinery did not exist, so early crews of area farmers and laborers had nothing more than axes, pickaxes, and shovels to fell countless trees and uproot giant stumps. Oxen and horses were used to plow the land. In some areas, laborers had to tunnel through huge rock formations, cracking the stone with gunpowder—a volatile and potentially deadly undertaking. Workers were plagued by malaria, mysterious illnesses, and construction accidents. Still, despite all obstacles and opposition, the Erie Canal was completed on October 25, 1825. 

Our text today records another undertaking that met with persistent challenges and resistance—and this one was of far greater importance than a commercial waterway. The reconstruction of the Temple in Jerusalem had been halted for about ten years due to the opposition of local officials. However, in today’s text, at the encouragement of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, construction resumed. And this time, the efforts were carried on with zeal and determination. A report was sent from the regional governor to the king concerning the project. In spite of that, our focus verses record that by the providence of God, the Jews continued building, although there was uncertainty regarding how the king would respond. 

We can learn an important spiritual lesson from this text: the necessity of continuing to press forward toward our spiritual goal despite challenges. Resistance may come. Society may attempt to intimidate us or ridicule our beliefs. However, we must not allow criticism or the accusations of hostile people to paralyze us. God permits all the circumstances of life, and if He allows opposition to come our way, He is well able to give us grace and determination to withstand it. We must purpose to keep on keeping on with God’s help!

BACKGROUND

Chapter 5 continues the account of the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Construction began again because of the influence of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, after having been suspended for a period of about ten years due to the interference of the Samaritans described in chapter 4. Though the neighboring people again objected, God enabled the men to continue to build while the matter was brought before the king (verses 3-5). In his account to King Darius, Tatnai described the work the men of Jerusalem were doing, gave the names of the builders, and explained the Jews’ defense of their actions (verses 6-16). In the final verse of chapter 5, Tatnai requested that the king make a search of the royal archives to ascertain if King Cyrus really had authorized the rebuilding of the Temple (verse 17). 

The prophets Haggai and Zechariah, mentioned in verses 1-2, were no doubt among the exiles who returned to Jerusalem from Babylon after the decree of Cyrus; their prophecies are recorded in the books that bear their names. Haggai 1:2 seems to imply that the exiles had ceased rebuilding the Temple because they had evidently concluded that the time for rebuilding the Lord’s house had not yet come. The fact that the two men of God urged and inspired the exiles to renewed action is implied in verse 2 of chapter 5 by the statement that the leaders began to build, “and with them were the prophets of God helping them.” 

Tatnai, who came to confront the leaders of Israel, was the appointed governor of the region west of the Euphrates that included Judah; Shethar-boznai was probably his secretary or scribe. These men and those with them inquired who had authorized the building of the Temple and the walls, and then listed the names of the builders (possibly in an attempt to intimidate the exiles). These governing officials then sent a report to the king and awaited his orders concerning the project. However, because “the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews” (verse 5), the rebuilding continued during this period of waiting. 

Tatnai wrote a full report to King Darius, who was ruler of Persia by this time. Verses 6-17 record the content of the report. A copy of the letter is included in Ezra’s record (verses 6-17). The builders in Jerusalem were moving forward with industry and zeal, and Tatnai’s description of the project was comprehensive. Verses 9-10 repeat the questions that were asked of the leaders of the exiles in verses 3-4, and verse 11 gives the answers that were not recorded earlier. Tatnai’s letter concluded with a request for the king to research the matter and determine if the rebuilding of the Temple and Jerusalem had been royally sanctioned by an earlier ruler.

AMPLIFIED OUTLINE

I. The reconstruction under Zerubbabel
    B. The rebuilding under Zerubbabel
         1. The rebuilding of the Temple
              c. The work resumed and completed
                  (1) The work resumed (5:1-5)
                  (2) The letter of Tatnai to Darius (5:6-17)

A CLOSER LOOK

1. According to verses 1-2, what did the prophets Haggai and Zechariah do to move the rebuilding project forward?
2. Why do you think Tatnai and his companions asked for the names of the people who were helping with the reconstruction?
3. What spiritual qualities and characteristics will help us withstand opposition to our walk with God?

CONCLUSION

The account of the rebuilding of God’s Temple in Jerusalem reminds us of the importance of staying committed and faithful to God’s work, and resistant to all spiritual opposition.