In Ezra 5, we encounter an important leadership principle: operating with help from friends. In the midst of opposition, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the Jews to resume rebuilding the temple, reminding them of their identity as servants of the God of heaven and earth. This daily devotional highlights the value of leaning on godly companions during challenging times. As leaders, we may feel isolated, but the biblical model calls for seeking counsel and support from others. Who are your trusted friends in times of struggle? Today, let’s explore how God’s work is strengthened through community. To see who opposed the rebuilding of the temple, read the daily devotional on Ezra 4.
Ezra 5 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
In Ezra 5, we will be considering leadership principle number six from the Book of Ezra, operate with help from your friends. Who are your friends? Can you rely on their advice when you are in a battle? Please read or listen to Ezra 5.
Who Were the Prophets during the Time of Ezra?
In 1999, I wrote, “Prophets Haggai and Zechariah say get back to work! Jews go back through the political channels but do not stop building. ‘We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth’ (NASB). Know who we are in the Lord, referring to verse 11.” Then I wrote, “Go back to original instruction. Before work was stopped, it was ordered by the king.”
In 2009,I read chapters 3-5 (NASB) on the same day and wrote about each of those chapters. Concerning chapter 5, I wrote, “The work had stopped, but finally Haggai and Zechariah said let’s get back to work.” Then, “Know who you are. ‘We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth’” (v. 11).
Haggai and Zechariah Encourage the People
In 2015, I read Ezra 5 and 6 on the same day and wrote about chapter 5, “Prophets Haggai and Zechariah encouraged Jews to get back to work on the temple. With their support, work began again and so did the opposition. This time, support for rebuilding the temple is found in Persian records, so work is permitted and actually paid for by the Persian government. God can resource His work from wherever He wants.”
Did you know the Prophets Haggai and Zechariah were alive at the same time as Ezra and Nehemiah were rebuilding the temple and the walls of Jerusalem? I did not get that connection until I read the Bible chronologically one year. You may want to read the Bible chronologically one year. If you do, visit ezraproject.net and order a Chronological Bible Reading Journal, which has a chronological Bible reading schedule in it. Or order just a schedule without the journal.
What Is the Message of Haggai and Zechariah?
The prophets tell the people to get back to work, and they do. Let’s look at the sixth leadership principle from the Book of Ezra found in this chapter, operate with help from your friends. By the way, I am referring to these principles of leadership from a booklet I wrote called Twelve Practical Principles of Leadership According to Ezra. If you are interested in the booklet, go to ezraproject.net to our resource page and order a copy.
We have covered five leadership principles so far and here in chapter 5 is principle number six, operate with help from your friends. In the opening two verses of this chapter and verse 5, Ezra’s friends come to the rescue. They are the prophets Haggai and Zechariah.
In the booklet, I write about this leadership principle:
Many leaders confess it’s lonely at the top. The tendency is to go it alone, fight my own battles, sink or swim based on our own efforts. However, the biblical model is not isolation. Wisdom is in the counsel of many. You should not go it alone. Reach out to Christians around you for support, guidance, and wise counsel.
When you’re frustrated, don’t know what to do, are being beat up, maybe even losing the battle, reach for godly wisdom and get a little help from your friends. Who are your Christian confidantes? Those you can count on when your chips are down.
How Do Your Friends Help You?
In Ezra chapter 4, the enemy won a battle and the work stopped. In chapter 5, the prophets show up and encourage people to get back to work. Who are the people around you that encourage you to fight through the battles you are facing? That is what principle six is all about. It is operating with help from your friends.
There is no reason to fight the battle alone. In fact, that is one of Satan’s strategies, to isolate us as Christians. But that is not what the Bible says. The Bible says, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them” (Matt. 18:20). It also says, “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another” (Heb. 10:25). So, isolation is a principle of the enemy, not a principle of the Word.
Who Are Your Friends, and What Are They Doing?
Who are your friends? Who are the people you lean into when you are fighting a battle? If you do not have any, find some. Ask the Lord for some. Ask the Lord for some people that can come around you and help you. And if you have some, thank the Lord for them, and call and thank them today.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for this principle of a little help from our friends. Put people around us we can depend on for godly counsel and wisdom. In this story, it appears sometimes the enemy wins. In our lives, it may appear the same. Surround us with people like Haggai and Zechariah that say get back to work. The battle may have been lost, but the war is not over. Give us strength to keep fighting, Lord, keep fighting with You and for You. In the name of Jesus, we pray it. Amen.
