Now because we are in the service of the palace and it is not fitting for us to allow the king to be dishonored, we have sent to inform the king Now because we are in the service of the palaceThis phrase indicates the position and responsibility of the speakers, who are likely officials or subjects within the Persian Empire. The Persian Empire was known for its vast bureaucracy and administrative efficiency. Being in the service of the palace implies a duty to uphold the interests of the king and the empire. This reflects the hierarchical structure of ancient Near Eastern societies, where loyalty to the king was paramount. The palace, as a symbol of royal authority, underscores the importance of their role in maintaining order and allegiance. and it is not fitting for us to allow the king to be dishonored
The concept of honor and shame was central in ancient cultures, including the Persian Empire. Dishonoring the king would not only be a personal failure but could also have broader political implications. The king was seen as a divine or semi-divine figure, and maintaining his honor was crucial for the stability of the realm. This phrase suggests a deep sense of duty and the potential consequences of failing to protect the king's reputation. It also reflects the biblical theme of respecting authority, as seen in passages like Romans 13:1-7, which emphasizes submission to governing authorities. we have sent to inform the king
This action demonstrates the protocol of communication within the empire. Sending a message to the king was a formal process, often involving written correspondence or envoys. The act of informing the king suggests a proactive approach to governance and the importance of keeping the monarch aware of potential threats or issues. This aligns with the biblical principle of accountability and transparency, as seen in other scriptural narratives where leaders are informed of significant events or challenges, such as in the story of Nehemiah, who also communicated with the Persian king regarding the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Adversaries of Judah and BenjaminThese are the people who opposed the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. They were the ones who wrote the letter to King Artaxerxes, trying to halt the work. 2. King ArtaxerxesThe Persian king to whom the adversaries wrote, seeking to stop the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem. 3. JerusalemThe city where the temple was being rebuilt, central to Jewish worship and identity. 4. The PalaceRefers to the Persian royal court, from which the adversaries claimed to receive their sustenance or maintenance. 5. The Rebuilding of the TempleThe event that the adversaries were trying to stop by sending a letter to the king, claiming it would lead to the king's dishonor. Teaching Points Opposition to God's WorkExpect resistance when engaging in God's work. The adversaries' actions remind us that spiritual endeavors often face opposition. Discernment in AllegiancesBe cautious of those who claim to have your best interests at heart but may have ulterior motives. The adversaries claimed loyalty to the king but sought their own agenda. Faithfulness in AdversityRemain steadfast in your mission despite opposition. Like the Jews rebuilding the temple, we must continue in our God-given tasks. The Role of AuthorityUnderstand the influence of earthly authorities and how they can be swayed by misinformation. Pray for wisdom for leaders to discern truth. Integrity and HonorUphold integrity and honor in all dealings, as the adversaries falsely claimed to protect the king's honor while seeking their own gain. Bible Study Questions 1. How can we identify and respond to opposition in our spiritual lives, as seen in the actions of the adversaries in Ezra 4:14? 2. In what ways does the account of opposition in Ezra 4 parallel the challenges faced by Nehemiah and the early church in Acts? 3. How can we ensure that our allegiances and motivations align with God's purposes, rather than personal or political gain? 4. What steps can we take to remain faithful to God's calling in the face of adversity and opposition? 5. How can we pray for and support our leaders to make wise decisions, especially when they are presented with conflicting information? Connections to Other Scriptures Nehemiah 2Nehemiah also faced opposition when rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, showing a pattern of resistance against God's people when they seek to restore and rebuild. Daniel 6Daniel faced opposition from those who sought to undermine his position by appealing to the king, similar to the adversaries in Ezra. Acts 4The early church faced opposition from authorities, yet they continued to proclaim the gospel, showing that God's work often faces resistance. People Ahasuerus, Apharesattechites, Apharesites, Apharsathchites, Apharsites, Archevites, Artaxerxes, Asnapper, Babylonians, Benjamin, Bishlam, Cyrus, Darius, Dehaites, Dehavites, Dehites, Dianites, Dinaites, Dinites, Elamites, Esarhaddon, Jeshua, Mithredath, Persians, Rehum, Shimshai, Shushanchites, Tabeel, Tarpelites, ZerubbabelPlaces Assyria, Beyond the River, Erech, Jerusalem, Persia, Samaria, SusaTopics Announced, Appropriate, Certified, Damaged, Dishonor, Dishonored, Dishonour, Eat, Fitting, Honour, Inform, Informed, Injury, King's, Maintenance, Meet, Message, Nakedness, Palace, Patience, Proper, Responsible, Salt, Sending, Service, WitnessDictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 4:14 4357 salt Ezra 4:6-16 5202 accusation, false Ezra 4:6-23 7560 Samaritans, the Ezra 4:12-15 7468 temple, rebuilding Library Building in Troublous Times
'Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of Israel; 2. Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto Him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither. 3. But Zerubbabel, and Joshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Original Text and Its History.
1. The original language of the Old Testament is Hebrew, with the exception of certain portions of Ezra and Daniel and a single verse of Jeremiah, (Ezra 4:8-6:18; 7:12-26; Dan. 2:4, from the middle of the verse to end of chap. 7; Jer. 10:11,) which are written in the cognate Chaldee language. The Hebrew belongs to a stock of related languages commonly called Shemitic, because spoken mainly by the descendants of Shem. Its main divisions are: (1,) the Arabic, having its original seat in the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
The Median wars--The last native dynasties of Egypt--The Eastern world on the eve of the Macedonian conquest. [Drawn by Boudier, from one of the sarcophagi of Sidon, now in the Museum of St. Irene. The vignette, which is by Faucher-Gudin, represents the sitting cyno-cephalus of Nectanebo I., now in the Egyptian Museum at the Vatican.] Darius appears to have formed this project of conquest immediately after his first victories, when his initial attempts to institute satrapies had taught him not …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9 A Reformer's Schooling
'The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, 2. That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3. And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Ninth Commandment
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.' Exod 20: 16. THE tongue which at first was made to be an organ of God's praise, is now become an instrument of unrighteousness. This commandment binds the tongue to its good behaviour. God has set two natural fences to keep in the tongue, the teeth and lips; and this commandment is a third fence set about it, that it should not break forth into evil. It has a prohibitory and a mandatory part: the first is set down in plain words, the other …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ezra 4:14 NIVEzra 4:14 NLTEzra 4:14 ESVEzra 4:14 NASBEzra 4:14 KJV
Ezra 4:14 Commentaries
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