EZRA 5

THE PROGRESS OF THE TEMPLE QUESTIONED

Ezra recalls how the prophets Haggai and Zechariah prophesied to the Hebrew people in Jerusalem during this time.

Zerubbabel began to rebuild the temple, despite the earlier efforts of Artaxerxes to stop building. Tattenai, the governor of a nearby province, challenges the builders and questions their authority to continue constructing the temple. Zerubbabel and the elders work diligently on the temple and prosper in their work.

Tattenai and his associates then send a letter to King Darius of Persia, asking him to search for a decree from the previous king, Cyrus, to verify the legitimacy of their work in rebuilding the temple.