Main Idea: A life lived for God doesn’t always entail an easy life.
A Look at the Text:
The returned exiles had laid the foundation of the temple. They had resumed sacrifices. Things were going well. Then the text today specifically notes that they were building the temple for the Lord, that is, Yahweh, the God of Israel (Ezra 4:1).
But then, adversaries came on the scene.
First, the people of the land desired to help in the rebuilding, claiming they worshipped the same God (Ezra 4:2). On the surface, it might seem like a nice offer, but these people followed a syncretistic approach to religion, and Yahweh would tolerate no competitors (Exodus 20:2-4).
The locals were an intermixed group of people who were settled in the Promised Land by the Assyrians after Israel was conquered in 722 B.C. After intermarrying, this new people, composed of Israelites and other nationalities, were a mixed people with a mixed religion, the ancestors of the Samaritans found in the New Testament.[1]
In response, the leaders of the returned exiles refused them (Ezra 4:2-3).
As a result, the temple building was opposed. The locals discouraged the people and frustrated their purpose (Ezra 4:4-6).
Even more, some of the residents, possibly Persians, issued a complaint against the Jews to the king of Persia. They claimed the Judeans were rebuilding Jerusalem, “that rebellious and wicked city” (Ezra 4:12). In response, the Persian monarch issued a decree that the rebuilding must stop (Ezra 4:21), and those who wrote the letter went by force and stopped the reconstruction of Jerusalem (Ezra 4:23).
Bringing it Home:
Serving God doesn’t mean things will be easy.
The returned exiles were doing the right thing. They had returned to the land as God had ordained. They were prioritizing the house of worship. Even more, they had refused to intermingle with those who might steer them away from whole-hearted devotion to Yahweh. Syncretism was a thing of the past. Yet, tragically, they were forced to stop building.
It’s helpful to remember that Scripture expects opposition for believers. Even more, not just natural adversaries, but spiritual ones. Peter once reminded first-century believers that:
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
In a similar manner, Paul encouraged the church at Ephesus:
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12).
While we can take heart today that God’s purposes are ultimately unstoppable, that doesn’t mean that it’ll be an easy road along the way.
Jesus said in this world we will have tribulation (John 16:33). Peter expected fiery trials to be normal (1 Pet. 4:12).
Let us then make it our resolve to serve the Lord, whatever may come our way, knowing that there will surely be difficulties during the time between God’s promise and its final fulfillment.
Challenge:
Does the presence of opposition discourage me? Or does it encourage me that I might be doing the right thing?
[1] John A. Martin, “Ezra,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 660.