Ezra 4:1-24

OPPOSITION TO REBUILDING

Keywords 4:3b

"You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us."

 

1. We alone will build it for the LORD (1-5; 24)

The enemies were people brought into the land by various Assyrian kings (2,

10) after their conquest of northern Israel (2 Ki 17:24). They offered to help build

the temple and claimed to worship God. In fact, they worshiped many idols (2

Ki 17:29) and did not obey God’s word. Their offer was an attempt to subvert the

construction and lead the people away from God. However, God gave spiritual

discernment to the leaders. The exiles alone would build the temple for the LORD.

These enemies continued to plant fear and frustrate plans until the temple efforts

stopped for 15 years (24).

 

2. Enemies hinder wall rebuilding (6-23)

Verses 6-23 record two official complaints (6, 7-16) lodged against the Jews

made many years later. This look into the future reveals that enemies hindered

efforts for over 100 years. The second letter was about rebuilding Jerusalem and

her walls. It resulted in an official decree to stop the rebuilding. God blesses his

people with his work but he never promises that it gets easier. God’s people must

be prayerful and patient.

 

Prayer Lord, thank you for your work. Please give us spiritual discernment,

patience and faithfulness.

One Word Don’t compromise; wait and pray