Saturday 9th May
Read Ezra 4:11-16
“(This is a copy of the letter they sent him.)
To King Artaxerxes,
From your servants, the men of Trans-Euphrates:
12 The king should know that the people who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations.
13 Furthermore, the king should know that if this city is built and its walls are restored, no more taxes, tribute or duty will be paid, and eventually the royal revenues will suffer. 14 Now since we are under obligation to the palace and it is not proper for us to see the king dishonoured, we are sending this message to inform the king, 15 so that a search may be made in the archives of your predecessors. In these records you will find that this city is a rebellious city, troublesome to kings and provinces, a place with a long history of sedition. That is why this city was destroyed. 16 We inform the king that if this city is built and its walls are restored, you will be left with nothing in Trans-Euphrates.” (NIVUK)
The temple is built by this stage, the enemies of God’s people increasingly frustrated, so they confidently craft a letter to turn the tables. It is a masterclass in misdirection and implication. The accusations aim at the history of Jerusalem and its rebelliousness and the economic consequences of allowing it to reestablish itself. Like all earnest letters of this nature it exaggerates the consequences, implying that Persia will lose immense amounts of territory. The purpose though is clear.
Whilst the claims are malicious, there is enough truth in them to populate a letter of this nature. Historically the church has engaged in practices that allow similar claims to be made. Scandals have tarnished the reputation of God’s people, in much the same way as that described here. We might feel the same injustice that the people in Jerusalem at that time felt – tarred with the legacy of indiscretions past. But then, as now, when powerless against the accusations of others, we serve a powerful God. A God able to provide strength and voice to the powerless.
