Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 1 · Ezra · Chapter 5
CHAP. V.
THen, that is, Anno 2 of Darius prophesied Haggai and Zechariah, that they Vers. 1, 2.should build, Zorobabel the Prince, and Jeshuah the High Priest hereupon setting again upon the work. This seemeth to contradict the History of Josephus, and of 3 Esdras, because if by the grant of King Darius, they returned to this building, then they should not have needed Prophets to incite them, and to make them promises if they proceded in it, or to reprove them for their backwardnesse to this work, as Haggai doth. For hovv could they have shevved more forvvardnesse, then in sending over to Darius, so soon as they heard, and so could conceive any hope to prevail for liberty to returne to this building againe? The prophesie therefore of Haggai being an invective against them for their backwerdnesse, and a complaint that they rather intended their own private contentments then the building of the Lords House, sheweth that till they were excited by the Prophets, they had little zeale or care about this work, and that the encouregement which they had from Darius, came after an attempt made again in the time of Darius by the enemie to hinder it, appears here, Chap. 6, 7, 8. It is to be conceived then, that when these Prophets prophesied, both the Prince and people being cooled in the zeale by the opposition of enemies, fat still and ceassed working upon the Temple, and yet both built houses for themselves and followed the works of their husbandry and trades. For this Haggai intimateth when he saith, it is time for you to dwell in seiled houses, &c. And yee carry out much seed, and reap but little &c. That this was a fault, and worthy of reproof, appeareth, because as was noted before, when Art axerxes forbad the building of the City, he forbad not the Temples building also, but passed that over in silence, so that they were not by his command kept from this work, however their enemies night abuse their authority to make them to ceasse from that also, if their words would doe it. But notwithstanding these enemies opposition, they built them fair houses to dwell in, it being no part of that Kings meaning that they should be hindered here-from, but from bringing it into the forme of a City, by walling it, and making Forts therein. Wherefore if their zeal had been as great to the Lords house, as their care for their own private content, they would not doubtlesse so have neglected it, but taken as much liberty to re-build it as for their own dwellings. As need was therefore, God now stirreth them up by his Prophets, in a time, which he by his divine spirit knew to be most fit, and so they set to the work again. Yet Josephus to make good what he hath said, conceiveth that the Jews were afraid, notwithstanding the Kings writing, that hee might change his minde, and therefore they needed Prophets to put them on, which is improbable, seeing the Laws of the Medes and Persians altered not. But Thainai Vers. 3.Governour beyond the River, and Shether-Boznai came unto them and said, &c. These men, as it seemeth, were at the comming on of a new King, put into commission there, to rule instead of those in the time of Artaxerxes, for Chap. 6. 16. they are called Persians, and they were more equally disposed towards the Jews, then their predecessours had been. For they certified nothing but the truth, and sought not to exasperate the King against them by malicious suggestions, as they, but onelyonly desired him that search might be made, whether Cyrus had given liberty, and contributed to this building or no, as the Jews said, and hereupon to signifie Vers. 4. Pellican. Lyra.his pleasure. Whereas it is said in the first person, we answered them, &c. Pellican gathereth that Ezra was now present amongst the Jews, and Lyra likewise, but I rather subscribe unto Lyra, in otherwise shewing a reason of his thus writing, viz. because he counted himselfe one of them, although at this time in another place, as appeareth, Chap. 7. 1. we answered therefore, is as much as if he had said, some of us Jews, so St. B. speaking of Christs comming to judgement, saith, Then we that are alive shall be taken up, that is, some of us who are the faithfull. 1 Thes. 4. Vers. 5.Ver. 5. But the eye of their God was upon the captives which returned, this is inserted that it might not be imputed to fortune or chance, but to the divine providence, that these Princes did no way hinder the building of the Lords house, although they came to enquire about it, and that we might know that it was no Note. good disposition in them, but an over-ruling power of God, who hath all mens hearts in his hands, to hold them from doing otherwise, and withall to encourage all men to obey his Prophets, in doing that which they commanded in his name, although otherwise they can see no cause of encouragement, as these Jews could not, when they were exhorted to set upon this work again, till the event gave them encouragement.