OUR FATHER WHO HOUSE WAS TO BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER

The book of Ezra in the second half of chapter 4 contains the letter the was written to  King Artaxeres about the activeity of the Jews as well as the responding letter that King Arterxerxes wrote back.

The letter to King Artaxerxes informed him that they were already completing the walls of Jerusalem and that they were almost done the foundation.  The letter went on to warn the king that shortly, once the city walls were complete, the inhabitants would rebel against his authority and refuse to pay the alloted revenue to his kingdom.

The writers argued that they were obligated to warn the king of this matter because they were beneficiaries of the kings largess and did not want to remain silent while a threat against their benefactor was formenting as they got close to building a highly defencible position.

11“To King Artaxerxes, your servants, the men of West-of-Euphrates, as follows: 12 Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have arrived at Jerusalem and are now rebuilding this rebellious and evil city. They are completing its walls, and the foundations have already been laid. 13 Now let it be known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls completed, they will no longer pay taxes, tributes, or tolls; eventually the throne will be harmed. 14 Now, since we eat the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to look on while the king is being dishonored, we have sent this message to inform the king, 15 so that inquiry may be made in the historical records of your fathers. In the historical records you will discover and verify that this is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces; its people have been acting seditiously there since ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed. 16 We therefore inform the king, that if this city is rebuilt and its walls completed again, you will thereupon not have a portion in the province West-of-Euphrates.”

17 The king sent this answer: “To Rehum, the governor, Shimshai, the scribe, and their fellow officials living in Samaria and elsewhere in the province West-of-Euphrates, greetings: 18 The communication which you sent us has been read in translation in my presence. 19 When at my command inquiry was made, it was verified that from ancient times this city has risen up against kings and that rebellion and sedition have been fostered there. 20 Powerful kings once ruled in Jerusalem who controlled all West-of-Euphrates, and taxes, tributes, and tolls were paid to them. 21 Give orders, therefore, to stop these men. This city may not be rebuilt until a further decree has been issued by me. 22 Take care that you do not neglect this matter. Why should evil increase to harm the throne?”

23 As soon as a copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter had been read before Rehum, the governor, Shimshai, the scribe, and their fellow officials, they immediately went to the Jews in Jerusalem and stopped their work by force of arms. 24 As a result, work on the house of God in Jerusalem ceased. This interruption lasted until the second year of the reign of Darius, king of Persia.

The king Artaxerxes, upon reading the letter, replied to those who sent it say that his research confirmed that the city of Jerusalem had a long track-record of sedition and rebellion against those who ruled over it. He therefore gave orders for the governor of the adjacent region to stop the builders from completing the the city wall. 

Immediately the officials got the official documents documents, they went to the construction site o the Temple of God with the cease and desist letter and a troop of armed men and put a stop to the building effort of the children of Israel

Construction came to a grinding halt and was in limbo for until the second year of Darius the king of Persia.

Amen.

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