The exiles who returned under the leadership of Sheshbazzar made a point of beginning to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem destroyed at the time of the exile (Ezra 4:12; 2 Kings 25:9–10). Upon protest from surrounding nations, however, King Artaxerxes decreed that this work be stopped (Ezra 4:23). So the city remained exposed to threat. It is true that the returned exiles were able to rebuild the temple (in response to the preaching of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah; Ezra 5:1–2; Ezra 6:14). But the city’s broken walls and burnt gates remained a vivid reminder that the Lord God had not caused the remnant to flourish—despite his promises through the prophets (Isaiah 11:11; Isaiah 37:32; Isaiah 46:3; Micah 4:7; Micah 5:7–8; Micah 7:18; Zephaniah 2:7; Zephaniah 3:12–13; Ezekiel 11:16–21). This was embarrassing for the people and for the glorious name of the Lord God.
3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”