Day 261 – Ezra 4-6, Psalm 137

Talking Points

• The enemies of God’s people offer to help with the rebuilding of the temple; however, their offer is refused. Bitter in the rejection, they launch a smear campaign against the Jews, seeking to incite the disapproval of the king of Persia. The king is falsely told the Jews’ successful rebuilding would result in his dishonor, a decline of revenue, and the loss of some of his kingdom. A decree is sent out for the building to be stopped.
• Under the urging of prophets Haggai and Zechariah, a descendant of David named Zerubbabel begins construction again. The governor of the territory beyond the Euphrates sends a letter in protest, asking the new Persian king to check the archives and determine if Cyrus had ever made a decree calling for the Jews to rebuild the temple. In an ironic turn, not only did the king find the decree and reinstate it, he also imposed taxes on the neighboring territories to finance it.
• Showcasing God’s grace, faithfulness, and sovereign power, the temple is completed in 515 B.C. After the temple dedication, the Passover is joyfully celebrated by God’s people. Once again, God is proclaimed as the God who remembers and delivers His people. Once again, God’s people are reminded that salvation comes through the blood of the Lamb.

Thoughts

Chapter four includes an account we might find hard to understand today. Why would the Israelite leaders reject the offer of help from the neighboring people? Shouldn’t they have rejoiced in including them? After all, they declared, “for like you, we seek your God” (Ezra 4:2). Wasn’t this refusal unloving and unkind?

There is an important lesson for us, here. The neighbors who offered their help were described as “enemies” of God’s people for a reason — they did not truly worship the same God (4:1). While they claimed to worship God, they also worshiped the pagan gods of their own nations. The “heads of the fathers’ households of Israel” were wise in their discernment (4:3). False worship of any god cannot mix with worship of the one true God. Period.

Today, we live in a world that loves the idea of compromise, holding it up as a sign of understanding and compassion. People believe there can be many versions of the truth and all can be equally valid. As a result, to make the discerning distinction that there is only one Truth will be ridiculed and hated. Yet, our reality is the same as the Israelite leaders of old — false worship is just that — false.

In this effort to make our way through God’s Word, may we gain Godly wisdom, exhibit supernatural discernment, and stand in Christ-honoring boldness.