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JULY 21
the region beyond the River; and tax,
tribute, and custom were paid to them.
21 Now give the command to make these
4:6–23 This section represents later opposi- men cease, that this city may not be
tion which Ezra chose to put here as a paren- built until the command is given by me.
thetical continuation of the theme “opposi-
22 Take heed now that you do not fail to
tion to resettling and rebuilding Judah.” He
first referred to the opposition from Israel’s do this. Why should damage increase
enemies under King Ahasuerus (a regal title) or to the hurt of the kings?
Xerxes (ca.486–464 B.C.), who ruled at the time 23 Now when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ let-
of Esther (4:6).Ezra 4:7–23 then recounts oppo- ter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the
sition in Nehemiah’s day under Artaxerxes I (ca. scribe, and their companions, they went up in
464–423 B.C.) expressed in a detailed letter of haste to Jerusalem against the Jews, and by
accusation against the Jews (vv. 7–16). It was force of arms made them cease. Thus the
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successful in stopping the work, as the king’s
reply indicates (vv. 17–23). Most likely, this work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem
opposition is that also spoken of in Nehemiah ceased, and it was discontinued until the sec-
1:3. All this was the ongoing occurrence of ond year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
severe animosity between the Israelites and Psalm 86:11–17
Samaritans, which was later aggravated when
11
the Samaritans built a rival temple on Mt. Teach me Your way, O LORD;
Gerizim (John 4:9). The opposition to I will walk in Your truth;
Zerubbabel picks up again at 4:24–5:2 during Unite my heart to fear Your name.
the reign of Darius I, who actually reigned 12 I will praise You, O Lord my God, with
before either Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes. all my heart,
And I will glorify Your name
forevermore.
16 We inform the king that if this city is 13
rebuilt and its walls are completed, the For great is Your mercy toward me,
result will be that you will have no And You have delivered my soul from
dominion beyond the River. the depths of Sheol.
14
17 The king sent an answer: O God, the proud have risen
against me,
To Rehum the commander, to And a mob of violent men have sought
Shimshai the scribe, to the rest of their my life,
companions who dwell in Samaria, and And have not set You before them.
to the remainder beyond the River: 15 But You, O Lord, are a God full of
Peace, and so forth. compassion, and gracious,
Longsuffering and abundant in mercy
18 The letter which you sent to us has and truth.
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been clearly read before me. And I
16 Oh, turn to me, and have mercy
gave the command, and a search has
been made, and it was found that this on me!
city in former times has revolted Give Your strength to Your servant,
against kings, and rebellion and And save the son of Your maidservant.
sedition have been fostered in it. 17 Show me a sign for good,
20 There have also been mighty kings That those who hate me may see it and
over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all be ashamed,
Because You, LORD, have helped me
and comforted me.
Proverbs 21:17–18
4:21 Now give the command. No small order 17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor
for one or two workers,but rather the efforts of man;
50,000 were called to a halt.The king was com- He who loves wine and oil will not be
missioning a decree of great significance. The rich.
original language calls for the difference. This
decree would not lose its authority until the 18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the
king established a new decree. righteous,
And the unfaithful for the upright.

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