THEOSISBeda Venerabilis
The communication sent by Phaphnaeus to King Darius significantly contrasts with the correspondence written by Rehum and Shimshai to Artaxerxes. While the latter was filled with charges against the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Phaphnaeus' letter is brimming with commendations, not only for the people but also for the Lord Almighty. It commences with the greeting: To Darius the king, may you have peace! It informs the king of their journey to Judea, to the house of the Most High; an edifice constructed from substantial stones, with timber integrated into the walls, and they observed that the work was progressing swiftly and successfully. They then inquired of the elders, asking, ‘Who authorized you to erect this house and complete these walls? (1 Ezra 5:7-9)’.
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In this passage, we discern the intention behind referring to the house of the Lord being constructed from large stones, despite the clear evidence that such a magnificent task could only be achieved with hewn stones. The term “unhewn stones” likely signifies the new materials that were gathered untouched, subsequently shaped to fit the sacred structure. Even if remnants of old stones were present, which, as pointed out by Jeremiah in Lamentations, lay scattered in various places (Lamentations 4:1), it remains evident that new stones had to be crafted to fulfill the temple’s construction.
Moreover, the implication of this situation is unmistakable. The Church of God is formed not solely from those who, through repentance, regain their understanding and return to the righteous path they had previously abandoned due to sin, but also from those newly called to faith, who are guided by the teachings of mentors like skilled builders measuring and placing each stone appropriately in the Lord’s house. The reality that the temple comprised both old and new stones—those that had long been worked and those that remained unworked—can be interpreted to reflect the unity of Christ’s Church, which encompasses two peoples: Jews and Gentiles. The Jews represent the stones that have been processed over time, possessing knowledge and adherence to God's law. Conversely, the Gentiles, who were previously enslaved by idolatry and untouched by spiritual builders’ zeal or piety, have cast off the impurities of their former ignorance and earthly mindset.