Who Were the Dehavites?
The Dehavites appear in the book of Ezra as adversaries of the Jewish people during the post-exilic period. Their name is mentioned specifically in Ezra 4:9, where they are listed among the peoples who wrote a letter of complaint to the Persian king Artaxerxes, opposing the Jewish reconstruction efforts in Jerusalem. These individuals were likely inhabitants of the region around Babylon and Persia who had settled in the territories of the former kingdom of Judah. While we know little about their specific origins or customs, their actions reveal their spiritual opposition to God's redemptive work among His people.
The historical context is crucial for understanding the Dehavites' role. After the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, many Jewish people were taken into exile in Babylon. However, when King Cyrus of Persia allowed the Jews to return and rebuild their temple around 538 BC, opposition arose from various quarters. The Dehavites were among those who viewed the Jewish restoration as a threat to their own power and influence in the region. Their opposition was not merely political or economic; it represented a spiritual resistance to God's plan for His covenant people.
Their Opposition to Rebuilding
In Ezra 4:8-16, we see the full weight of the Dehavites' opposition when they joined other groups in writing to King Artaxerxes. Their letter accused the Jews of sedition, claiming that Jerusalem was "a rebellious city" known for causing trouble to kings and provinces. They appealed to the king's self-interest, suggesting that allowing the Jews to rebuild would ultimately threaten his authority. This demonstrates a common strategy of spiritual opposition: using worldly reasoning and fear to discourage God's work.
The fascinating aspect of this account is that their opposition was initially successful. King Artaxerxes issued a decree halting the construction work (Ezra 4:17-22). The work stopped for several years until the prophets Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the people to resume building, and ultimately Darius gave permission for the work to continue. The Dehavites' opposition, while temporarily effective, could not permanently stop what God had ordained.
Practical Application for Modern Believers
The Dehavites remind us that opposition to God's work is not new. Just as they used political and legal channels to oppose the Jewish restoration, believers today may face resistance from unexpected quarters. This could come through cultural pressure, institutional barriers, or simply the indifference of secular society. Yet their story reassures us that temporary setbacks do not represent ultimate failure.
When we face opposition to sharing our faith or serving God's kingdom, we can remember that God's purposes cannot be permanently thwarted. Like the Jews in exile, we must persevere in prayer, seek wisdom from God's Word, and trust that He orchestrates history according to His perfect plan. Our calling is faithfulness, not guaranteed comfort or immediate success.
"And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by command of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia." — Ezra 6:14