Ezra 5:1 - Meaning and Application

Some say the temple work was stopped for only nine years. I think fifteen years was the most it could have been. During that time, they still had an altar and a tabernacle, and they likely used them. When we cannot do all we want in God’s service, we should do what we can, and be sad that we cannot do more.

But the hired advisers who worked to stop the building (Ezra 4:5) told them, perhaps pretending to speak by special revelation, that the time had not come to build the temple (Haggai 1:2). They argued that a long time passed before Solomon’s temple was built. In this way, the people felt content in their paneled houses while God’s house lay in ruins. Here we are told how new life came to a good cause that seemed dead.

They had two good ministers who earnestly urged them, in God’s name, to get the work moving again. These were the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, who both began to prophesy in the second year of Darius, as seen in Haggai 1:1 and Zechariah 1:1. The temple of God among people is built by prophecy, not by civil power. Civil power often hinders such work and seldom helps it, but God’s word builds it up. Just as the weapons of our struggle are spiritual, so the tools of our building are spiritual too, and gospel ministers are the master builders.

It is the job of God’s prophets to stir God’s people toward what is good, to help them in it, to strengthen their hands, and to wake them up to their duty with fitting reminders from God’s word. It is also a sign of mercy when God raises up prophets among a people to help them in his way and work, as their guides, overseers, and leaders.

These prophets were sent to the Jews, for the Jews had received the law and also the gift of prophecy. That is why they are called the children of the prophets (Acts 3:25), because they were trained under their teaching. The prophets spoke to them, yes, directly to them, like Ezekiel speaking to the dry bones so that they might live (Ezekiel 37:4). Bishop Patrick says they spoke against them, because they rebuked them for not building the temple. God’s word, if it is not received now as a witness to us, will one day be received as a witness against us and will judge us.

They prophesied in the name of the God of Israel, or, as some read it, for the sake of the God of Israel. They spoke by his authority, and they argued from his rule over them, his claim on them, and the honor of his glory among them.

They also had two good magistrates who were ready and active in this work, Zerubbabel, their chief prince, and Jeshua, their chief priest (Ezra 5:2). Those who hold positions of honor and power should use their standing to support every good work, and use their influence to give it life. It fits those who lead to go before others with visible care and zeal, and to do all that is right. These great men did not see it as beneath them to be taught and directed by the prophets of the Lord. Instead, they were glad for that help in reviving this good work.

Read the first chapter of Haggai here, for that is the best comment on these two verses, and see what great things God does by his word, which he sets above all his name, and by his Spirit working with it.