5/4/2018. Ezra. (Ahasuerus) [Esther] [Ezra/Nehemiah]

Transcription

1 5/4/2018 Ezra (Ahasuerus) [Esther] [Ezra/Nehemiah] 1

2 Ezra 4:6 6:22 uses a literary device called prolepsis whereby the story line reaches a certain point, then looks beyond it to events known to have happened later, and finally continues from the point where it had been interrupted. (Frank W Hardy, The Chronology of Ezra 4) No time period or content is given for the letter to Ahasuerus other than it was in the beginning of his reign. This would be the same as Xerxes I who reigned 486 B.C. to 465 B.C. The point here is the continued and intense harassment by those who would hinder the work. This is the Ahasuerus from the book of Esther. Up to this point the focus has been on the rebuilding of the foundation of the temple. Ezra 4:7 23 speaks of the rebuilding of the walls and structure of Jerusalem. Historically this would fall between the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Ezra was sent to Jerusalem in the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes and Nehemiah went to Jerusalem in the 20 th year of Artaxerxes. This letter would have been sent sometime between theses events. 2

3 No specific date given but references that the work on the walls and foundations are being done by those who came from Artaxerxes. This would fit in the timeframe between Ezra and Nehemiah The appeal was their concern for the king that the people would rebel by refusing to pay tribute and taxes. They focused on the historical clashes between Jerusalem and the surrounding kingdoms. 925 B.C. Shishak, king of Egypt, takes the city during the reign of Judah's King Rehoboam (2Chronicles 12:9, 1Kings 14:25 26). The temple is plundered. 3

4 They focused on the historical clashes between Jerusalem and the surrounding kingdoms. 850 B.C. The Philistines, Arabians, and Ethiopians lay siege during the rule of King Jehoram (2Chronicles 21:16). The King's palace is sacked and the Temple plundered. 792 B.C. Jehoash, king of Israel, attacks Amaziah, king of Judah (2Kings 14:13, 14). Jerusalem and the Temple are pillaged. Jehoash captures Amaziah and takes him captive to northern Israel. They focused on the historical clashes between Jerusalem and the surrounding kingdoms B.C. Rezin, king of Aram, and Pekah, king of Israel, go to war against Ahaz, king of Judah (2Chronicles 28). Ahaz seeks the aid of Tiglath Pileser, king of Assyria, to deliver him. In 732 Tiglath Pileser conquers Damascus and executes Rezin. 701 B.C. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, tries to lay siege to the city during the reign of King Hezekiah (2Chronicles 32). He threatens to destroy it but God has the Angel of the Lord kill 185,000 troops as they prepare to enter (2Kings 18 19). 4

5 They focused on the historical clashes between Jerusalem and the surrounding kingdoms. 605 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem and the prophet Daniel and his companions are taken captive to Babylon. 597 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar again attacks the city (2Chronicles 36:10). He captures King Jehoiachin whom he takes to Babylon. 586 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar attacks a third time. He burns the temple, destroys the city and carries all the temple's treasures to Babylon (2Kings 24:13, 2Chronicles 36). Their interpretation for the destruction of the city was that it was rebellious, dangerous and incited trouble. Their final appeal was that if the city was rebuilt it would be the end of control of the Persian Empire over that whole region. 5

6 The records were found and interpreted in light of the letter. Revealed the conflicts with Jerusalem Revealed the strength and scope of the rule from Jerusalem. Artaxerxes responded by a decree that the work cease and the city not be rebuilt until any further decree was made by him. Rehum and Shimshai and company enforced the kings decree and the work stopped. This will be the state of the city until the 20 th year of his reign when Nehemiah learns of the unfinished walls of Jerusalem. Now we return to the matter of the building of the Temple. 4:24 6:22 In obedience to the Word of the Lord spoken by Haggai and Zechariah, Zerubbabel and Jeshua begin rebuilding the Temple. The second year of Darius Haggai 1:1 Haggai delivers the rebuke that the people have procrastinated on building God s house while they have focused on their own houses. 1:2 6 A direct command is given to rebuild the Temple. 1:7 6

7 Now we return to the matter of the building of the Temple. 4:24 6:22 In obedience to the Word of the Lord spoken by Haggai and Zechariah, Zerubbabel and Jeshua begin rebuilding the Temple. The lack of God s blessing on them in every area is attributed to this neglect. 1:8 11 Work began 23 days later as God reminded them of His presence with them in their obedience. With the events that follow in Ezra, they needed this reassurance and will see how God provides through the decree of Darius. Now we return to the matter of the building of the Temple. 4:24 6:22 In obedience to the Word of the Lord spoken by Haggai and Zechariah, Zerubbabel and Jeshua begin rebuilding the Temple. Zerubbabel and Jeshua had clear instructions from God and did not nor should they have requested the permission of anyone else. The opposition was swift and strong but contrary to earlier times did not stop the building. The fact that the regional governor, Tattenai came to check out the building reflects the continuing opposition from those referenced in Ezra 4:4 5. Ezra 5:3 5 7

8 Now we return to the matter of the building of the Temple. 4:24 6:22 In obedience to the Word of the Lord spoken by Haggai and Zechariah, Zerubbabel and Jeshua begin rebuilding the Temple. The text of the letter indicates a greater sincerity than the letter we saw to Araxerxes. The fact that they did not forcibly stop the work showed at least a cautious possibility of a the claim of a decree by Cyrus. There seems to be an accurate recounting of the reason given by the Jews for rebuilding and a sincere desire to know if such a decree was made by Cyrus. 8