Ezra 5:1-5: a reflection

1Now the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem. They prophesied to them in the name of the God of Israel. 2Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build God’s house which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them. 3At the same time Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, came to them, with Shetharbozenai and their companions, and asked them, “Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this wall?” 4They also asked for the names of the men who were making this building. 5But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they didn’t make them cease until the matter should come to Darius, and an answer should be returned by letter concerning it.

When the exiles resume the rebuilding of the temple, encouraged by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, opposition comes at once: officials arrive demanding to know who authorized the work, seeking to stop it. But notice the quiet, decisive thing the account says: the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they didn't make them cease. Because God's watchful eye was upon his people, the opposition could not stop the work; God was watching over them, and his watchful care protected their work from being halted.

Notice what protected the work: the watchful eye of God upon his people. The opposition sought to stop the rebuilding; but the eye of God was on the elders, and so the opposition did not prevail to halt the work. It was not the strength of the builders or the weakness of the opposition, but God's watchful care over his people, that protected their work and let it continue. God's eye was upon them, watching over them; and under that watchful care, the opposition could not make them cease. God's watchful eye protected his people's work.

That is a comfort, for God's watchful eye is upon his people and their work, protecting it from what would halt it. When we do God's work and face opposition that would stop it, we can fear that the opposition will prevail, that the work will be halted; but the eye of God was on his people, and the opposition could not stop them. God's watchful care is over his people and the work he gives them; and under that care, what would halt it may not prevail. When your work for God faces opposition, do not fear that it must be halted; God's watchful eye is upon you and the work he has given you, and his care can protect it, as the eye of God on the elders kept the opposition from stopping the rebuilding. Trust that God watches over his people and their work, and that his watchful eye can protect what would otherwise be halted, as it protected the exiles' rebuilding from the opposition that sought to stop it.

Lord, when the exiles resume the rebuilding of the temple, encouraged by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, opposition comes at once: officials arrive demanding to know who authorized the work. But notice the quiet, decisive thing the account says: the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they didn't make them cease. Because your watchful eye was upon your people, the opposition could not stop the work; you were watching over them, and your watchful care protected their work. Show me what protected the work: your watchful eye upon your people. The opposition sought to stop the rebuilding; but your eye was on the elders, and so the opposition did not prevail. It was not the strength of the builders, but your watchful care, that protected their work. Your eye was upon them; and under that care, the opposition could not make them cease. Give me the comfort of that, for your watchful eye is upon your people and their work. When I do your work and face opposition that would stop it, I can fear that the opposition will prevail; but your eye was on your people, and the opposition could not stop them. Your watchful care is over your people and the work you give them. When my work for you faces opposition, keep me from fearing that it must be halted; your watchful eye is upon me and the work you have given me, Lord, and your care can protect it. Help me trust that you watch over your people and their work, and that your watchful eye can protect what would otherwise be halted.