The Pulpit Commentary — Ezra — Section 70

building on the part of the Jews. In vers. 6-10 we have an almost identical but slightly fuller account of the same matter in the letter sent by the opponents them- selves to Darius. In ver. 5, in the next place, we have the historian's account of the amount of success to which that revived opposition attained, viz., to obtaining the consent of the builders, whilst still justifying and continuing their operations, to refer the whole subject to King Darius. In vers. 11-17 that same letter of the same opponents to Darius gives us a fuller account of this point also. Altogether, we cannot help seeing how very marked is the difference, so far as the question of result is concerned, between this attempt and that made before. In that other case, while the appeal was pending, the work on the spot almost expired of itself ( eh. iv. 4 ). In this case, although the appeal is consented to, the work on the spot, meanwhile, thrives to perfection (vers. 5, 8). What are the reasons of this striking difference? So far as second causes go, they will be found, we believe, in two things, viz., I. In comparatively greater moderation on the part of the attack; and, II. In compara- tively greater vigour on the part of the defence. Let us proceed to see how the whole story illustrates these two points. I. A WEAKER ATTACK. For example, it was (1) apparently not so general. Names we read of before (iv. 7, 9), such as Bishlam, &c., the Dinaites, &c., are now mentioned no more. Tatnai and Shethar-boznai are acting, if not in ignorance, yet in independence, of native ideas. So much so, that the only II companions " mentioned in this case, the Apharsachites, are supposed by some to be them- selves II Persians II of some sort. At any rate, all the other previous II companions " are only conspicuous now by their absence. The present movement is leas for- midable than the previous one both in numbers and names. Also the attack is (2) less vital. There is no such plausible yet utterly fatal proposal for co-operation in this instance as that we read of before ; only certain not unnatural and, all things considered, not disrespectful inquiries are addressed to those engaged in so evidently important a work. " Where is your authority for operations such as these ? Who are the persons who hold themselves really responsible for them? 11 (See vers. 3, 4, 9, 10, reading "they II for II we II in ver. 4 with Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions, and even in the Chaldee with very slight change.) These deputy rulers would have failed in their duty if they had asked any, leas ; even if we infer, as we must, from ver. 5, that their object in so doing, at e.ny rate in the first instance, was to II cause " the Jewish elders to "cease " for the time. Such opposition, even so, is very different from that settled intention to "frustrate" the Jewish II purpose " entirely of which we find traces before (iv. 5). Once more, the attack is (3) less unreasonable and malignant. The answer of the elders to the official inquiries put to them is heard with candour, and reported with truth. Nor are any charges made, as before, of treachery or sedition. Nor is anything more proposed to the king than a due hearing and examination of the appeal which the Jews have made to a previous edict uf Cyrus in justification of their conduct (ver. 17). Meanwhile, moreover, though ap- parently with some reluctance, the chief authorities of the province in which Judl!la was situated have consented to treat that justification as being, till proved otherwise, sufficient and valid, by allowing that work to go on without endeavouring to stop it by menace or force. In all this, if there is something of opposition, as there undoubtedly is, it ie not like that of the previous occasion-not a wide conspiracy, not a deadly aim, not a malignant effort, like that before. II . .A STRONGER DEFENCE. The answer of the Jewish elders was a good one-1. On the score of principle. " We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth" (ver. 11). In other words," Do you ask our names? We are named after the great God (see ver. 8), the God of heaven and earth. Do you ask why we are thus labouring? Because in doing so we serve him 11 (comp. Acts x.xvii. 23). It was well for them to put this first, like soldiers displaying the flag they fight under on entering into the battle. " Before all things we wish you to understand that this is a question with us of religion." 2. On the score of precedent. This was no novel idea that they wero engaged in promoting. They were 11ot beginning, but restoring, the temple. Many successive centuries though these officials were perhaps not aware of it) a glorious temple to the great od had stood on that place. Not only so, the man who hut! origin11lly II built" and " set it up " had been one of the greatest of their kings. This  74 THE BOOK OF EZRA. [OH. V. 8-17.