Ezra 5:1-5
The Temple Rebuilt
51 When the prophets , Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo , prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel , who was over them, 2 then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God which is in Jerusalem ; and the prophets of God were with them supporting them.
3 At that time Tattenai , the governor of the province beyond the River , and Shethar-bozenai and their colleagues came to them and spoke to them thus , " Who issued you a decree to rebuild this temple and to finish this structure ?" 4 Then we told them accordingly what the names of the men were who were reconstructing this building . 5 But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews , and they did not stop them until a report could come to Darius , and then a written reply be returned concerning it.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezra 5:1-5
Commentary on Ezra 5:1-2
(Read Ezra 5:1-2)
The building of the temple was stopped about fifteen years. Then they had two good ministers, who urged them to go on with the work. It is a sign that God has mercy in store for a people, when he raises up prophets to be helpers in the way and work of God, as guides, overseers, and rulers. In Haggai, we see what great things God does by his word, which he magnifies above all his name, and by his Spirit working with it.
Commentary on Ezra 5:3-17
(Read Ezra 5:3-17)
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.