Definition: But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this [matter].

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezra 5:5. It’s a bit complex, but here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where God was watching over the Jewish people and wasn't letting them stop completely. It highlights a period of tension and uncertainty. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “But the eye of their God…” : This is a metaphorical way of saying God was watching and observing everything happening. It's like a watchful guardian. “…was upon the elders of the Jews…” : “Elder” means leader or elder, in this case referring to leaders of the Jewish community. It’s about those who were in charge. “that they could not cause them to cease…” : This is the core of the verse. It means God wasn't allowing the Jewish people to stop completely – they weren't giving up. “…till the matter came to Darius:” “Darius” was a powerful king at the time, and “matter” refers to a specific problem or situation. This is where things started to escalate. “…and then they returned answer by letter concerning this [matter].” : This tells us that the Jewish community responded – they sent a letter explaining their actions and apologizing for what had happened. In simpler terms: God was watching over them, but he wasn’t letting them stop completely. It started to get tense because of something specific happening. Then, they decided to address it through a written explanation – a letter. What's the Big Picture? This verse is about obedience and repentance. It speaks to a time when the Jewish people were facing challenges and needed to show remorse for their actions. The letter shows they understood how wrong what they had done, and they made an effort to correct it. It’s a reminder that God's judgment isn't always immediate, but he still cares about his people and wants them to be right. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage within the larger story of Ezra?