Ezra 4:3

Dutch 2024 (EBV24 een Eigentijdse Bijbelvertaling)

Maar Zerubbabel en Josua en de overige hoofden van de huizen van de vaderen van Israël zeiden tegen hen: “ Het is niet aan jullie om met ons een Huis voor onze GOD te bouwen. Wij alleen zullen het voor de HEERE, de GOD van Israël, bouwen, zoals koning Kores, de koning van Perzië, ons geboden heeft.”

Wat betekent dit?

In this verse, Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and other leaders of Israel reject the help of non-Israelites in rebuilding the temple. They affirm their own responsibility to build the house of God as commanded by King Cyrus.

Uitgelegd voor kinderen

Imagine you and your friends are building a fort. Some kids from another group want to help, but you say, 'Thanks, but we want to build it ourselves, just like our parents told us to do.' That's what Zerubbabel and Jeshua are doing with the temple.

Historische achtergrond

Ezra wrote this part of his book after the Babylonian exile, around 450 BC. The Israelites were returning to rebuild their temple in Jerusalem, facing resistance from local groups who didn't want to help.

Toepassing voor vandaag

Today, a similar scenario might be choosing to do a project yourself or with a team, despite offers of help from others. Zerubbabel and Jeshua remind us to listen to the guidance and commands we have been given.

Onderwerpen

• leadership
• rebuilding
• God's commandments
• perseverance
• rejection of help
• community

Gerelateerde verzen

• Ezra 1:1-4
• 1 Corinthians 3:9-10
• Nehemiah 2:17-18
• Haggai 1:1-4
• Isaiah 44:24-28

Veelgestelde vragen

Why did Zerubbabel and Jeshua refuse help?

They believed they should build the temple themselves, as God had commanded, rather than accepting help from those who might have ulterior motives.

What was the role of King Cyrus in this context?

King Cyrus, the Persian emperor, had allowed the Israelites to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple, setting the stage for this action.

How can we apply this verse to our own projects?

We can apply this verse by being confident in the guidance we have and not letting external pressures or unwanted help deter us from our goals.

What does this verse teach about leadership?

It teaches leaders to be decisive and to stick to their mission, even if it means rejecting offers of help that might compromise their goals.