Ezra 5:5

_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._ But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews ... The unusual presence, the imposing suite, the authoritative inquiries of the satrap appeared formidable, and might have produced a paralyzing influence, or led to disastrous consequences, if he had been a partial and corrupt judge, or actuated by unfriendly feelings toward the Jewish cause. The historian, therefore, with characteristic piety, throws in this parenthetical verse to intimate that God averted the threatening cloud, and procured favour for the elders or leaders of the Jews, so that they were not interrupted in their proceedings until communications with the court should be made and received. Not a word was uttered to disp...

3-17 While employed in God's work, we are under his special protection; his eye is upon us for good. This should keep us to our duty, and encourage us therein, when difficulties are ever so discouraging. The elders of the Jews gave the Samaritans an account of their proceedings. Let us learn hence, with meekness and fear, to give a reason of the hope that is in us; let us rightly understand, and then readily declare, what we do in God's service, and why we do it. And while in this world, we always shall have to confess, that our sins have provoked the wrath of God. All our sufferings spring from thence, and all our comforts from his unmerited mercy. However the work may seem to be hindered, yet the Lord Jesus Christ is carrying it on, his people are growing unto a holy temple in the Lord, for a habitation of God through the Spirit....

Verse Ezra 5:5. _THE EYE OF THEIR GOD WAS UPON THE ELDERS_] The _watchful_ _care_ of God was upon the elders. They were assured of his _favour_; and they found his especial _providence_ working in their behalf....

EXPOSITION RENEWAL OF OPPOSITION ON THE PART OF THE NEIGHBOURING HEATHEN. LETTER WRITTEN BY THEM AND SENT TO DARIUS (Ezra 5:3). Once more opposition showed itself. Tatnai, a high officer, called "governor on this side the river" (Ezra 5:3), perhaps satrap of Syria, and Shethar-boznai, or Sitrabarzanes, a Persian noble probably, at this time took the lead, and learning that the building was making progress, came in person to Jerusalem, and demanded to know by what authority the temple and city were being rest

BUT THE EYE OF THEIR GOD WAS UPON THE ELDERS OF THE JEWS,.... He in his providence looked favourably at them, smiled upon them, encouraged them in the work by his good Spirit, and by the prophets, and gave them success, and protected and defended them, see 2 Chronicles 16:9, THAT THEY COULD NOT CAUSE THEM TO CEASE, TILL THE MATTER CAME TO DARIUS; they were not intimidated by what the governor and those with him said to them, but went on in their work; nor did the governor attempt to interrupt them, they having referred him and their cause to Darius for the truth of what they had said, and for further information from him: AND THEN THEY RETURNED ANSWER BY LETTER CONCERNING THIS MATTER; that is, Tatnai and those with him sent a letter to Darius about this affair, to which they had an answer, which are both related in this and the fo

CHAPTER 5 _ 1. The prophetic ministry of Haggai and Zechariah (Ezra 5:1)_ 2. The result of their ministry (Ezra 5:2) 3. Tatnai's interference (Ezra 5:3) 4. The letter to Darius (Ezra 5:6) Ezra 5:1. At that critical time when the enemy seemed to have triumphed, and they were losing their interest, God graciously intervened by sending them His two messengers the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. Their great prophetic messages will be more fully taken up in our annotations on the books which contain their prophecies. The voice of prophecy is always heard when the peo

EZRA 4:24 TO EZRA 5:17. The narrative which was broken off at the end of Ezra 4:5 is now resumed. There is silence regarding the period 536- 520 B.C.; in 516, however, it is said that the building had been proceeding during the whole of this time. Owing to the action of Haggai and Zechariah, the Jews are once more roused to undertake the work, which had been interrupted sixteen years before, of rebuilding the Temple (so according to our present text). This time there is no objection; on the contrary, application is made to Darius by the governor, who is supported herein by some of the Samaritans (the Apharsachites), to permit the Jews to go on with their work (which is continued, however, pending the arrival of the king's reply) on the ground tha

THE EYE. Figure of speech _Anthropopatheia._ App-6. elders. Chaldee. _sib_. grey, hoary. Used only of Ezra here and Ezra 6:7; Ezra 6:8; Ezra 6:14. DARIUS. See note on Ezra 4:5. ANSWER. See note on Ezra 4:17....

_But the eye of their God_ Cf. Deuteronomy 11:12, -a land which God careth for; the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it"; Psalms 33:18, -The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him"; Psalms 34:15, -The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous". _upon the elders of the Jews_ Cf. Ezra 10:8, -the princes and elders". The LXX. by a strange mistake render -the captivity" (τὴν αἰχμαλωσίαν). God's favour was shewn in that Tattenai did not immediately stop the work, but let it go on until he learned his master's wishes. _that they could not cause them to cease_ R.V. AND THEY DID NOT MAKE THEM CEASE.

_VER._ 5. _BUT THE EYE OF THEIR GOD,_ &C.— i.e. The peculiar favour, good providence, and protection of God. Houbigant renders the last clause of the preceding verse thus: _these are the names of the men who have undertaken this building._ REFLECTIONS.—1st, About fifteen years the building seems to have continued at a stand, till God by his prophets roused the people to the work. 1. They prophesied unto them, or against them; reproved them for their lukewarmness, and provoked them to renew the building. _Note;_ (1.) Ministers must be faithful reprovers, and urge the sluggish builders to their work. (2.) When God raises up zealous preachers of his word, then there is hope that the wall will be built. 2. The effect of their prophesy was soon evident. Zerubbabel and Jeshua immediately set themselves to the work, and the prophets helped them; so that the people once more began with vigour...