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Introduction: After an interval of approximately fourteen years, work resumed on the Temple. Immediately, the local representatives of the Persians king demanded to know by whose authority the work was proceeding. The Jews explained how Cyrus had given a decree for the work and they were in compliance with it. Word was sent to Babylon. The decree of Cyrus was confirmed.
I. The Rebuilding Begins Anew
Ezr 5:1 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
Ezr 5:2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them. The events here synchronize with Haggai and portions of Zechariah.
They, through their preaching, urged the Jews to get back to rebuilding their Temple. In the interim, they had built comfortable, nice homes; but the Temple remained in a dismal state and only partially started. Weeds no doubt had grown back up on the site. It was a pathetic testimony of unfinished business. See Haggai Chapter 1.
Some claim they don’t have enough time to do needful things. This really is not an excuse. Zig Ziglar said “Lack of direction , not lack of time, is the problem. We all have 24 hr days.” We must be disciplined and make the best use of our time.
The record of Zechariah being the son of Iddo when referenced with Zechariah 1:1 describes such. Zechariah was the son of Berechiah and the grandson of Iddo. In any event, these prophets stood and preached it was high time to begin work on the Temple once again.
Zec 1:1 In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
Zec 1:2 The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers.
It is noteworthy how the decree to cease and desist by Cambyses (a.k.a. Ahaseurus and Artaxerxes) was specifically directed only at the rebuilding of the city and by assumption, its wall.
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