Ezra 4: Work Stoppage

The reconstruction of the Temple did not go smoothly.  It wasn't like the days of Solomon where David had prepared everything beforehand.  Instead, Zerubbabel actually had to face down political opposition from some of Judah's hostile neighbors who were successful in interrupting the work of rebuilding.

People have different opinions regarding what happened in verses 1 through 3.  The nation's adversaries at first offered to help in the rebuilding of the temple, but were rebuffed.  Some see here a lost opportunity to reach out to non-Jews and incorporate them into the family of faith.  Did Zerubbabel arrogantly dismiss a legitimate olive branch extended to him?  Others see the Jews attempting to stay faithful to God and the king by following through on the task as given to them.  It was their job to do, and Judah's enemies were not to be trusted.

Regardless, the events of those verse set into motion what happens in the rest of the chapter.  Israel's enemies write a letter to the new king of Persia advising him that he would do well to reconsider the permission that had been given for the rebuilding of the temple.  Judah's neighbors point out to him that Jerusalem was always causing problems for kings in the past, and, if the temple were rebuilt, they would surely try to secede from Persia.

The king is convinced that the temple project means trouble so, in verse 21, he writes back to say, "Therefore issue an order that these people be made to cease, and that this city not be rebuilt, until I make a decree."  That's all it took.  With glee, Israel's enemies rush to the job site with the royal work stoppage order.  "Then when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum and the scribe Shimshai and their associates, they hurried to the Jews in Jerusalem and by force and power made them cease" (vs. 23).  

The  Jews would have to wait until the second year of the reign of King Darius to pick up their labor again, a total of about sixteen years.