So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them, helping them. At the same time Tattenai the governor of the region beyond the River and Shethar-Boznai and their companions came to them and spoke thus to them: “Who has commanded you to build this temple and finish this wall?” Then, accordingly, we told them the names of the men who were constructing this building. But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, so that they could not make them cease till a report could go to Darius. Then a written answer was returned concerning this matter. Ezra 5: 2-5, NKJV.
Gracious God, Heavenly Friend, My heart leaps with joy when I think of how much You love me! When I think that the Sovereign of the Universe has His eye on me, it causes me to exclaim: “How great Thou art” – therefore I sing for joy, in the precious name of Jesus the Christ. Amen!
If only we were convinced that the “eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9a); we would be at peace. If we had total faith in these words of Jesus: “‘”Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows”‘” (Matthew 10: 29-31), we would sleep better at night.
In our story for today, God’s servants are busy running God’s errand while the Adversary’s agents are also busy doing his will. The good news is that God’s people did not allow themselves to become distracted. Because God’s eye was on them, their enemies “could not make them cease” till the matter was cleared up. There are several interesting details that are worthy of mention in this story. Let us take a look:
“Then we asked those elders, and spoke thus to them: ‘“Who commanded you to build this temple and to finish these walls?”’ We also asked them their names to inform you, that we might write the names of the men who were chief among them. And thus they returned us an answer, saying: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and completed”‘” (Ezra 5:9-11. Emphasis provided).
The way the elders answered their inquirers is very revealing. What they were doing, they were doing for the glory of God, not for themselves; so before answering the question they first informed them who they were: servants of the One and Only, the “God of heaven and earth[.]” then they went on to explain their mission. I can just imagine the impression that was made upon the minds of Tattenai the governor and Shethar-Boznai and his companions, when the elders told them Whose they were and what they were about! Whether they admitted it or not, they knew that they were not dealing with ordinary men.
There is a saying: “If you can’t beat them join them.” When the foundations of the temple was laid the “adversaries of Judah and Benjamin” had tried to join them but their offer was rejected(4:1-3). When that strategy did not work, they tried every imaginable plan to discourage them (4,5). That did not work either; so they started spreading false rumours (6-16). For a time it appeared that their scheming had succeeded (17-24). But the eye of [Israel’s] God was upon [them.]”
Finally the work was resumed. That is where our story began. Now the governor and the other adversaries of God’s people will indeed watch the “God of heaven and earth” work on behalf of His children. The rest of this story is so wonderful that we will continue it tomorrow!
Until then, remember that [God’s] “eye is on the sparrow” and on you and me!