Ezra 4:23-24
Then, when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their associates, they went in haste to the Jews at Jerusalem and by force and power made them cease. Then the work on the house of God that is in Jerusalem stopped, and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to read this and think, "Oh, they just followed orders." But the text highlights they acted "by force and power," using the king's decree as a justification for their own brutal suppression, twisting it to stop more than just the city walls and revealing how easily authority can be abused. This shows that the "integrity and wisdom of inferior magistrates" are just as crucial as the king's own decrees for the well-being of God's people.
The adversaries, fueled by malicious glee, didn't waste a moment after hearing King Artaxerxes' decree. They immediately went to Jerusalem and used military might and intimidation to halt the Jews' building efforts, extending the king's order to stop construction to include the temple itself. This swift, forceful action by the local authorities crushed the Jews' hopes and demonstrated the world's readiness to believe accusations against God's people.
The enemies of God's work didn't just disagree; they acted swiftly and aggressively. What drives this kind of intense opposition?
The adversaries, Rehum and Shimshai, didn't just hear the king's decree; they acted on it with alarming speed and intensity. The text says they 'went up in haste' and 'by force and power made them cease.' This wasn't a gentle suggestion or a polite request to stop. It was an exercise of raw power, fueled by their animosity towards the Jews and their work.
Think about it: The king's letter was likely intended to stop the building of the city walls, but these officials, driven by their own hatred, leveraged the decree to halt the temple building as well. Their 'malice' (as some commentators noted) made them eager to crush the work. This shows us that opposition to God's purposes can be deeply personal and aggressive, not just ideological.
The king gave an order, but it was the local officials who twisted it. What does this say about those in authority?
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This passage highlights a crucial point: the impact of God's people often depends not just on the king's decree, but on the actions of those implementing it. Rehum and Shimshai, along with their associates, abused their power.
While the king's order might have been narrowly focused (perhaps on the city walls), these officials used their 'force and power' to stop the temple building too. They took a royal command and weaponized it out of their own prejudice. This underscores the need to pray not only for our leaders but also for all those in positions of authority. Their decisions and integrity directly affect the 'quietness of our lives' and the freedom to serve God.
Understand the original words
paršegen · Aramaic Noun
An official document, typically a royal communication sent by a king or high-ranking official to subordinates, carrying the authority of the monarch.
kĕnāt · Aramaic Noun
A group of partners, colleagues, or those united for a specific common purpose, often associated with administrative or political efforts against another party.
bayit · Hebrew Noun
The physical structure designated as the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. It signifies the center of covenantal worship and the focus of spiritual devotion and identity for the community.
This event highlights how political decrees, often influenced by local opposition and misinformation, could dramatically and forcibly halt sacred rebuilding projects, impacting the physical and spiritual restoration of the Jewish community.
538 BC
Cyrus Cylinder Issued
King Cyrus the Great of Persia issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. This marks the beginning of the Jewish return from Babylonian exile.
c. 516 BC
Second Temple Completed
Under leaders like Zerubbabel, the Jewish exiles return and complete the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, a significant milestone in their religious restoration.
465 BC
Artaxerxes I Becomes King
Artaxerxes I ascends to the Persian throne. His reign is marked by various administrative decisions and conflicts within the vast Persian Empire.
c. 458 BC
Ezra Arrives in Jerusalem
The scribe Ezra leads a second major group of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem, empowered by Artaxerxes to restore religious law and order.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Arrives in Jerusalem
Nehemiah, cupbearer to Artaxerxes I, receives permission and resources to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, facing significant opposition from regional governors.
c. 445 BC— this verse
Letter Halts Construction
Regional governors like Rehum and Shimshai, acting on a letter from King Artaxerxes I, forcibly halt the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem. This verse describes their immediate action after the decree is read.
This passage shows a similar situation where opposition arose against the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem, with adversaries resorting to threats and conspiracy to halt the work, mirroring the 'force and power' used against the Jews in Ezra.
Acts 4:17-18Here, religious authorities also tried to stop the apostles from speaking about Jesus, using threats and intimidation. This reflects the recurring theme of those in power attempting to suppress the work of God's people through external pressure.
Galatians 5:11Paul mentions facing persecution for preaching the cross, which often involved opposition and the threat of violence. This connects to the 'force and power' used in Ezra, highlighting the reality of suffering when obedience to God conflicts with earthly authorities or popular opinion.
1 Samuel 15:23Saul's disobedience is described as rebellion and stubbornness, akin to the spirit of the adversaries in Ezra who defied God's will. This verse underscores the grave spiritual danger of opposing God's plans and people.
clarkeEzra 4:23: "Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power."
Made them to cease by force and power - Commanded them on pain of the king's displeasure not to proceed, obliging all to remit their labors, and probably bringing an armed force to prevent them from going forward.
henryEzra 4:6-24: "And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem."
4:6-24 It 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 requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the cons…
It's easy to read this and think, "Oh, they just followed orders." But the text highlights they acted "by force and power," using the king's decree as a justification for their own brutal suppression, twisting it to stop more than just the city walls and revealing how easily authority can be abused. This shows that the "integrity and wisdom of inferior magistrates" are just as crucial as the king's own decrees for the well-being of God's people.
The adversaries, fueled by malicious glee, didn't waste a moment after hearing King Artaxerxes' decree. They immediately went to Jerusalem and used military might and intimidation to halt the Jews' building efforts, extending the king's order to stop construction to include the temple itself. This swift, forceful action by the local authorities crushed the Jews' hopes and demonstrated the world's readiness to believe accusations against God's people.
The adversaries, fueled by malicious glee, didn't waste a moment after hearing King Artaxerxes' decree. They immediately went to Jerusalem and used military might and intimidation to halt the Jews' building efforts, extending the king's order to stop construction to include the temple itself. This swift, forceful action by the local authorities crushed the Jews' hopes and demonstrated the world's readiness to believe accusations against God's people.
"Then, when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their associates, they went in haste to the Jews at Jerusalem and by force and power made them cease. Then the work on the house of God that i…" — It's easy to read this and think, "Oh, they just followed orders." But the text highlights they acted "by force and power," using the king's decree as a justification for their own brutal suppression…
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