Reading:  Ezra 4-6 and Psalm 137
Posted:  September 26, 2014


Chapter 4 is a summary of all the different opposition that occurred while attempting to build the temple.  It skips across the reign of three different kings, and isn't chronologically correct with the rest of Ezra.

It took twenty years to rebuild the temple.  Cyrus sent the people back with a decree to rebuild, and they began...but the work soon fizzled.  It might have been because people were more interested in building their own homes and reclaiming their own land...or it could have been because they ran out of funds and didn't ask the king for more.    Haggai will tell us in a couple of days that they focused on different things.

Anyway, Cyrus gives the decree and they poke around doing a little at a time until Haggai lights another fire under them, and they build in earnest.   That last spurt of energy comes during the reign of Darius, which we read about in chapter 6.     So then, Chapter 4 is a summary of ALL opposition, and chapters 5-6 actually occur before the second half of chapter 4.  

King Artaxerxes (let's call him "Art") receives a letter from the trouble making neighbors AFTER temple is built, and the people are working on the wall, and the surrounding buildings.   King Art tells them to stop building the CITY, because the temple has already been built by this time.

Now, on to the application:   Any work that God puts us to will always have opposition.  Here on the earth satan still prowls around, causing trouble where he can.  He will always oppose what God does.   Opposition isn't always a sign that you should stop.  In fact, it could be a sort of confirmation that you are on the right track (at times).    Even though our work will be opposed, it will also be supported.   AND, the one who supports us is greater than the one who opposes.    You will always find this tension as you move forward in your christian practice.

When one member of a household accepts Christ, there is a tension between the husband and wife, and God will support the believer, who very often will win the day and the whole household accepts Christ.   God never fails to support His people.   It may not turn out the way we want it to...but God will support us through it.   Sometimes a marriage breaks up, or a job is lost, or a relocation is called for.   God sees us through it.  He never fails.

Consider today that God had one king tear down the temple, and the next king decreed that it would be rebuilt.   God is in charge of kings, and He oversees all human events.

Today I will relax a little, and acknowledge that the weight of running the church is not mine to carry alone.  In fact, it isn't mine at all.   God is in charge, and I am serving at his command.  Those who oppose Him are His problem, not mine.   The work that He has given us is His to fund and resource, not mine.    Why should you or I try to "force" something to happen when God can decree it and make it happen easily?

I suspect that the same principle could be used for whatever dilemma you find yourself in, and whatever issue is weighing heavy on your heart.

PR