Ezra 4:23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Those who wage war against the Almighty are destined for failure: in the beginning, they may escape consequences due to their boldness, as long as they do not heed God's calls to repentance and find clarity from their folly. However, if they continue down their reckless path without repenting, the repercussions they face will serve as a profound warning to others never to contend with God, as one cannot evade His all-powerful hand. Thus, these men swiftly encountered such misfortunes, their profound sorrow eclipsing every other affliction. After numerous acts of violence inflicted upon them by the Jews, whom they had thwarted from rebuilding the temple, the ground was deeply saturated with the blood of the slain, creating a thick mire. From the mingling of horse and human carcasses, and the wounds inflicting one another, a multitude of worms emerged, covering the earth with countless bodies, which in turn were overrun with worms. Witnessing this scene, one might have remarked that springs were erupting from below, releasing swarms of these creatures. The stench of decay, more persistent than any flood, did not diminish within days but lingered for an extended period. I reflect on this now not without purpose, for it follows a somber account shared with us, delivering grievous and offensive news to God. It was reported that even now some dare to perpetrate acts as brazen as those of the barbarians, if not worse; they expel all who embrace our faith and vehemently threaten anyone who speaks or teaches it to others. Upon hearing this, I cried out in distress and repeatedly confirmed with the messenger that he was not jesting. He assured me that he spoke truthfully; he would never fabricate such a story and would instead wish fervently, even pray, to be oblivious to this affront. Overwhelmed with deeper sorrow, I exclaimed that this act is far more wicked than the arrogance of Mithridates, as this spiritual temple is far more revered and sacred than that of Jerusalem. But who are these individuals, and from where do they come, to undertake such a deed? For what motive, and by what justification do they hurl stones upward, shoot arrows heavenward, and wage war against the God of peace? The Samaritans, the Egyptians, the Assyrian rulers, and others were deemed barbarians, evident in their names; their lifestyles distanced them from the Jews, and they feared the strength of neighboring nations, thinking it would outshine their own. Yet, what inspires these individuals to act in such a manner? Are they threatened in their freedom? Is their safety compromised? Have they received support from any rulers? While the Persian kings may have endorsed their venture, our own sovereigns, I believe, desire the opposite. Hence, I am greatly perplexed that, under virtuous kings, in the heart of cities, they dare to commit such acts.

However, the descendants of those who were exiled could not complete the work led by Zerubbabel and Jesus until a span of forty-six years had passed because of opposition from surrounding nations. This duration aligns closely with the completion of our Lord's physical body. Scholars in natural history express that the human form reaches completeness over this number of days. In the first six days after conception, it resembles milk; it is transformed into blood in the following nine days; then, after twelve days, it solidifies; and during the last eighteen days, it acquires the distinct features of its members before continuing to grow until birth. Six plus nine plus twelve plus eighteen equals forty-five. By adding one more day—representing the moment when the body, composed of distinct parts, begins its growth—we find that the timeline for the formation of our Lord’s body coincides with the years taken for the temple's construction.