⁶ This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai the governor, Shethar-bozenai, and the other officials of the province west of the Euphrates River sent to King Darius:

⁷ “To King Darius. Greetings.

⁸ “The king should know that we went to the construction site of the Temple of the great God in the province of Judah. It is being rebuilt with specially prepared stones, and timber is being laid in its walls. The work is going forward with great energy and success. ⁹ “We asked the leaders, ‘Who gave you permission to rebuild this Temple and restore this structure?’ ¹⁰ And we [asked them] their names so that we could tell you who the leaders were.

¹¹ “This was their answer: ‘We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the Temple that was built here many years ago by a great king of Israel. ¹² But because our ancestors angered the God of heaven, he abandoned them to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who destroyed this Temple and exiled the people to Babylonia.~

Ezra 5:6-12 (NLT)

Accurate report

Yesterday we discussed the integrity of Tattenai, the governor, who investigated the re-building. Today further confirms that. He seems to have faithfully recorded all the details of how Zerubbabel and Joshua responded to his inquiry. They were quite bold in the details provided to Tattenai: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth”.

Humble confession

Those details also were quite honest and humble: “because our ancestors angered the God of heaven”. Clarke’s commentary summarizes it: “How simple, plain, and ingenuous is this confession! They were the servants of the God of heaven. How [how did they come] into bondage! Why, they provoked the God of heaven – repeatedly sinned against him, and then he gave them into the hands of their enemies.” 

Model confession

This confession is so humble and bold. It serves as a good model for us. If we fully trust the Lord and listen to His voice, we can be confident in telling our story. But we must use prayerful discretion regarding how much and with whom we share. “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15 ESV)