THEOSISBeda Venerabilis
The communication sent by Phaphnaeus to Darius contrasts sharply with the correspondence authored by Rehum and Shimshai to Artaxerxes. While the latter was laden with allegations against the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the former is rich in commendation, not only for the people but also for the Sovereign God. It opens with the salutation: To Darius the king, all peace! The message continues, informing the king that they visited the territory of Judah, to the temple of the great God, which is constructed from substantial stones, with timber integrated into its walls; this undertaking has progressed swiftly and successfully. They then inquired of the elders, asking, “Who granted you permission to erect this house and to complete these walls?” (1 Ezra 5:7-9).
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From these words, we can discern the significance of the depiction of the Lord's house as being built from large stones, despite the understanding that such an impressive edifice could only be achieved using carved stones. The reference to these unhewn stones reflects the idea of fresh stones that were originally unrefined, which were subsequently shaped for the construction of the Lord’s temple. Even if there were remnants of ancient stones, scattered as described by Jeremiah in Lamentations (Lamentations 4:1), it is clear that new stones had to be crafted to fulfill the temple's construction.
This particular detail is also illuminating. The Church of God is constructed not only from those who have repented and returned to a life of righteousness after straying due to sin but also from new believers who are drawn to faith, guided by the teachings of leaders as a builder uses a measuring tool, therefore establishing them in their rightful place within the framework of the Lord's house. The presence of both old and new stones in the temple correlates with the reality that the singular Church of Christ comprises two groups, specifically Jews and Gentiles. The Jews resemble stones that have long been shaped, for they possessed knowledge and adhered to God’s law, while the Gentiles, previously ensnared by idolatry and untouched by the zeal of spiritual architects, shed their primitive inclinations and earthly mindset.