Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
Ezra 4; Haggai
Ezra 4:1-5
1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel;
2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.
3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.
4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,
5 And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
For over 20 years the temple had lain in a heap of rubble and ashes. It was completely useless and the people stared at a constant reminder of God’s judgment. What a joy flooded throughout Israel when there was talk of rebuilding the temple. So much talk, that it got the attention of the enemies of Israel and they came willing to “help.” It takes great discernment to know the difference between those who are willing to help and those who are trying to leverage advantage for selfish agendas. However, Zerubbabel was no fooled at all and he refused the help of these adversaries.
As someone who has been in leadership for some time, I am always amazed how quickly the word “no” reveals the true heart. These “volunteers” were angry and they began to quickly show their true intent. Verse 4 says they weakened the hands of those at work building the temple. This part sound like the liberal left in America… “They hired counselors against them, to frustrate their purpose.” The strategy hasn’t changed all that much and human nature is still the same. America said no to the radical agenda of Hillary Clinton and they have not rested in their attempts to frustrate the leadership and progress of President Trump ever since. Today they hire rioters, looters, and protestors to frustrate the purposes of our president. The truth of the matter is simple… people do not like to be told no. However, we never really know if we are truly submitting to authority until we are told no. May we determine to live submissive to God and His word and respond properly to the word, “NO.”
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to respond submissively to when you say no.
- Lord, please help me to have the discernment to see those with alternative agendas.
- Lord, please help me to be steadfast in the midst of opposition to accomplish the work you have given me to do.
Political
- Representative Hank Vaupel
- Senator Roger Victory
- Representative Rodney Wakeman