Who are Haggai and Zechariah in this passage and what did they do?

Haggai and Zechariah are prophets whom God sent to the Jews living in Judah and Jerusalem after the exile. The people had started rebuilding the temple earlier but had grown discouraged and slow, focusing more on their own houses than on God’s house. God used these prophets to speak his word, correct the people, and encourage them to get back to the work he had given them. Their messages stirred up Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the people so they rose up again and began to rebuild the temple with fresh courage.

Why did Zerubbabel and Jeshua restart building the temple at this time?

Zerubbabel, the governor, and Jeshua, the high priest, restarted the building after hearing the words of Haggai and Zechariah. God used those prophets to wake them up from delay and fear. They had already laid the foundation years before but had let the work slow down because of trouble and opposition. When they heard God’s call again through the prophets, they responded in faith, gathered the people, and began to build the house of God in Jerusalem, trusting that God would help them and bless their obedience.

Why did Tatnai and Shethar-boznai question the rebuilding work?

Tatnai, a governor in the area, and Shethar-boznai came to inspect what was happening in Judah. When they saw the temple going up with large stones and timber, they wanted to know who gave permission for such a project. They asked, “Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?” and also took down the names of the leaders. Their questions show normal government concern about a major building in the province, but for the Jews it felt like possible new opposition to God’s work.

What does it mean that the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews?

The phrase “the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews” means God was watching over them in kindness and protection. He was not distant or unaware. Because God’s eye was on them, the officials could not force the builders to stop the work right away. The case had to go all the way to King Darius. This picture of God’s eye reminds us that he cares for those who serve him, gives them courage, and quietly rules over events so that his plans move forward even when powerful people question or resist.

Why do the Jewish leaders call themselves servants of the God of heaven and earth?

When the officials asked who gave them authority, the Jewish leaders answered, “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth.” By saying this, they put God’s claim before any human claim. They were not just a local group pushing their own plans. They were saying, “We belong to the God who rules everything, and we are doing his work.” They still respected the king and appealed to his records, but their main identity and courage came from knowing they served the living God, not just an earthly ruler.

What history do the Jews retell about the first temple and its destruction?

The Jews explain that they are rebuilding a house that had already been built long ago by a great king of Israel, meaning Solomon. They honestly admit that their fathers angered the God of heaven by their sins. Because of that, God handed them over to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, who destroyed the temple and carried the people away. By telling this story, they show they understand that their exile was due to their own disobedience, and that the new temple is part of God’s mercy in bringing them back and restoring worship.

Why is King Cyrus’s decree so important in this chapter?

King Cyrus’s decree is key because it gave the Jews legal permission to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. The leaders remind Tatnai’s group that in the first year of Cyrus, he ordered the temple to be rebuilt and even returned the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken. These were given to Sheshbazzar, the governor, who laid the foundation. By appealing to this decree, the Jews show they are not rebels but are following both God’s command and a lawful order from a previous king of the same empire.

Why do the officials ask Darius to search the records about Cyrus’s decree?

After hearing the Jews’ answer, Tatnai and his companions write a respectful letter to King Darius. They report what they saw and heard and then suggest that the king have a search made in the royal records in Babylon to see if Cyrus really did give such a decree. This shows they are willing to let the empire’s archives decide the matter. For the Jews, this is actually good, because they are confident the records will confirm their story. It is another way God uses normal government processes to protect his people.

What does this passage teach about obeying God when facing opposition?

This passage shows that God’s people should listen to his word and keep going in his work even when they face questions or pressure. The Jews did not fight or lie. They kept building, trusted that God’s eye was on them, and spoke plainly about who they served and why they were building. They respected the king and were ready for their case to be checked in the records. For us, it gives a picture of steady obedience: taking God’s call seriously, acting with honesty, and trusting that God rules over human powers.

Ezra.5.1

Ezra 5:1

KJV

Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.

Temple Rebuilding Resumes

1 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.

2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.

3 ¶ 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?

4 Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?

5 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.

Tattenai’s Letter to Darius

6 ¶ The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:

7 They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace.

8 Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.

9 Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?

10 We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.

11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.

12 But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.

13 But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.

14 And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;

15 And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.

16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.

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

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.