Speak up!

I hope by now you have read (at least once) the fifth chapter of Ezra. If you have, did you start the chapter like I did, with a sinking feeling?
Why?
I was afraid that this character, Tattenai, was going to be another problem. A troublemaker. After all, his name even makes me think of the tattletales that were in our previous chapter!
Tattenai was the governor over Israel, over the district, so to speak, and no sooner had the people begun to work again . . . . here came Tattenai and his sidekicks and challenged them!

At that time Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates went to them and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and to finish it?” 4 They also asked, “What are the names of those who are constructing this building?” 5 But the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received. (Ezra 5:3-5)

It appears, though, that he was just doing his job. As the governor of the territory, he reported to King Darius. The scholars tell us that King Darius started his reign with some significant challenges, so these reports from far-flung districts were important.
The reason I say that he was just doing his job is that he asked the people what they were doing, but didn't try to stop them from doing it. He may have had in his mind that a plot for rebellion could be brewing, but he didn't force them to stop their work.

Instead, they permitted the people to continue building until word came back from the king. That may have taken several months, and a lot of work can get done in four, five, or six months of good solid effort. We see the reason in the verses above: "The eye of their God was watching over" the leaders and the people. I thought about this a lot during my study; I thought it was really interesting and inspiring, too. Not only is the eye of the devil on the believer (he's pacing about like a lion, seeking peeps to devour and cause them to sin) but the eye of our Lord is on us, as well.

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,    keeping watch on the wicked and the good. (Proverbs 15:3)

The Lord looks down from heaven    on all mankindto see if there are any who understand,    any who seek God. (Psalm 14:2)

We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. (II Corinthians 12:19b)

Knowing that the eye of God is upon us, and He is watching protectively over us, we can keep going even when the enemy is trying to get us to stop doing God's work.
So, Tattenai sent his letter to King Darius. The rest of the chapter details what he told the king. It's really interesting because it doesn't distort the truth like the people who caused trouble in chapter four. This letter is surprisingly accurate and just states the facts. Then he asks for verification of what the Jewish people told him. Kinda refreshing, isn't it? He appears to have integrity!

His letter also shows that the Jews were not afraid to speak up. They gave a strong vocal testimony to Tattenai about God and His ways. Nowadays, they would have shown him a powerpoint presentation, and their bullet points would have looked like this:
   * They used to worship at a temple that Solomon built
   * Because of their sin, God had allowed Nebuchadnezzar to conquer them
   * They'd been deported to Babylon
   * King Cyrus had decreed they should return and rebuild the temple
   * He had returned the gold and silver utensils to the leaders before they left
Maybe the Jews even showed Tattenai the utensils as a proof, we don't know. But the point is, they gave Tattenai and his colleagues a strong witness about God. They spoke up and gave a testimony about His covenant and His faithfulness.

Applying this to our lives, it's a strong antidote for discouragement to give a strong witness of our faith in Jesus. The adrenaline starts to pump. We get passionate. We're vocal. We are committed because we know someone is listening. Someone is watching.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (I Peter 3:15)

If we will be bold for the Lord, we can rest assured that His eye is upon us; He's watching whatever response our listeners come back with.
Don't be shy! Don't be fearful! God is with us! Speak up!