Bible Commentaries

A study of the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah makes it perfectly evident that the cessation of the work of building was unworthy of the men who had commenced. Judged by all human standards they could fairly urge the difficulties of the situation, and the necessity for obedience to the edict of the reigning king. Judged by the divine standard, as all the burning words of the prophets named make perfectly clear, they had no right to cease.

Under the inspiration of this prophetic message, governor and priest, Zerubbabel and Toshua, commenced the work again. But no sooner did they commence than opposition was raised, and they were challenged. To this challenge, however, they gave no heed, and the reason is graphically stated, "The eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews." We are not to suppose for a moment that this was something new. That eye had always been upon them, but through the teaching of the prophets, and their rousing call, their consciousness of relationship to God had again been renewed; and they went forward in spite of the challenge of their foes, determined not to cease until the matter had been submitted to Darius, the new king. The copy of the letter sent to him by Tattenai is preserved for us, and is very interesting. It is hardly possible to read it without feeling that there was in the mind of this enemy of the work some suspicion of a friendly feeling existing in the mind of the king toward the Jews. It would seem, however, that he did not believe their story concerning the edict of Cyrus, and appealed to the king that it be sought for, and produced if in existence.