Ezra 5:11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.

As soon as the rebuilding began after a lapse of fifteen years, another letter was sent to the Persian government for advice. Tatnai, the governor in Judah, and his companions made a visit to the construction site and asked the Jews: “Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?” (Ezra 5:3). The elders of the Jews replied: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up” (Ezra 5:1).

Those who don’t work are still asking these same questions today: “Who gives you permission to do this thing?” and “Why are you doing this?”

We simply need to return them the same answer the elders of the Jews gave to Tatnai: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.”

We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth - The answer acknowledges the sovereignty of God as their authority and they were merely servants carrying out His order. They were doing God’s work, in obedience to His will, and to whom they were accountable.

Everyone who is a worker for the Lord must know that he is a servant of God. We work for God and not for men. He has commanded us to work in His vineyard (Matthew 20:1-4). Let us count it an honour to be about the Father’s business: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:23).

and build the house that was builded these many years ago - They were not erecting a building where there was none before, but were rebuilding what was in ruins. King Solomon built the temple five hundred years ago. They were simply continuing the legacy of an ancient builder. 

Today, we have a spiritual house of God. This house was built two thousand years ago. The apostles and early Christians were busy building and enlarging the house of God; they went about preaching the word (Acts 8:4). It is now our business to continue building the house of God, which is the church of the living God (1 Timothy 3:15). Are you a builder in the house of God?

which a great king of Israel builded and set up – King Solomon built the temple as soon as he ascended to the throne.

But the house of God in which we are members was built by the greatest King of all times. He is the Lord of lords and King of kings (1 Timothy 6:15). He is Jesus Christ our Saviour and Redeemer. He is the builder of His church (Matthew 16:18).

This greatest King of all times has set up His church and we are building on it: “For we are labourers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9). This verse suggests teamwork. The pronoun “we” suggests working with others. The expression “With God” suggests God is in the partnership. The conjunction “with” suggests “not against; not ahead of; not behind." The whole idea is that of full cooperation and teamwork. Are you working with God and with others?

Jesus set an example of work while He was upon the earth doing the work that God gave Him to do. Let us follow His example and work in this house which this great King has set up.

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.