Ezra 4:11

Afrikaans Bible (ABA) 2007 (Bybel vir almal)

Hulle het geskryf: Aan koning Ahasveros, van sy amptenare, mense van Wes-Eufraat en verder:

What Does This Mean?

This verse is part of a letter sent to King Artaxerxes by some men who lived east of the Euphrates River. They were writing to complain about the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The key message is that they were trying to stop the rebuilding efforts by informing the king.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're at a playground, and some kids are trying to build a big sandcastle. But other kids don't want the sandcastle to be built, so they tell the playground supervisor that the sandcastle shouldn't be there. This verse is like those kids telling the supervisor, which is King Artaxerxes in this case.

Historical Background

The book of Ezra was written by Ezra, a Jewish scribe and priest, after the Babylonian exile. The letter in this verse was written to King Artaxerxes around 450 BC. The context is about the efforts to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and the temple, which faced opposition from local groups.

Living It Out Today

Today, when you see a project or an effort that aims to rebuild or improve a community, think about how others might try to hinder it. This can be in a workplace project or community service. Recognize the importance of perseverance and support in the face of opposition.

Topics

• opposition
• perseverance
• rebuilding
• community
• leadership
• history

Related Verses

• Nehemiah 4:1
• Nehemiah 4:7
• Ezra 5:6
• Isaiah 45:13
• 1 Corinthians 15:58

Frequently Asked Questions

Who wrote the letter mentioned in Ezra 4:11?

The letter was written by people living east of the Euphrates River who were opposed to the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

Why were they writing to Artaxerxes?

They were trying to get the king to stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem, as it was against their interests.

What does this teach us about opposition?

This teaches us that even when working on important projects like rebuilding, there will often be opposition, and it's important to stay committed.

How does this relate to Nehemiah?

Nehemiah faced similar opposition in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, showing that perseverance through adversity is a recurring theme in these books.