Resistance to Building The Temple
November 2, 2021
Commentary
When the Samaritans heard that the Jews were making good progress in re-building the temple, they approached them with an offer of help (vv. 1–3). On the surface, they appeared friendly and cooperative, but their goal was to inter-fere with the work and eventually stop it. Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the other leaders recognized their intention and refused to compromise. They rejected the offer. To some observers, this response may seem harsh or unkind, since the Samaritans spoke. However, if the leaders had accepted their proposal, the godly project would have been damaged. These people worshiped God in mixed and corrupt ways, sacrificing on other altars, and they were not true worshipers of the Lord. Protecting pure worship required wisdom, courage, and clear boundaries during seasons of pressure and subtle spiritual compro-mise. Such moments test leadership discernment, reminding believers that unity without truth can quietly undo God’s purposes.
After being rejected, these adversaries openly opposed the work in different ways (vv. 4–5). Scripture says they “weakened the hands of the people” (v. 4), which suggests that they used threats, pressure, or intimidation to create fear and discouragement. They also expressed their anger by sending accusations to Persian rulers, including letters to Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes (vv. 6–7). In these letters, they accused the Jews of rebuilding the city to rebel against the king and refuse to pay taxes. While earlier complaints seem to have been ig-nored, Artaxerxes later issued an order that caused the work to stop. This pas-sage reminds us that opposition often increases when God’s work moves for-ward, and perseverance is needed to remain faithful despite delay, fear, and mounting pressure.,
Application
Opposition reminds me to guard my heart and motives before God. I want wisdom to say yes or no without fear. Am I compromising truth just to keep the peace with others? Do I test advice by God’s Word daily? Where must I stand firm in obedience? Will I trust God when resistance slows His work?
Ezra 4:1–5 (NET)
1 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin learned that the former exiles were building a temple for the Lord God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and the leaders and said to them, “Let us help you build, for like you we seek your God and we have been sacrificing to him from the time of King Esarhaddon of Assyria, who brought us here.” 3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the leaders of Israel said to them, “You have no right to help us build the temple of our God. We will build it by ourselves for the Lord God of Israel, just as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, has commanded us.” 4 Then the local people began to discourage the people of Judah and to dishearten them from building. 5 They were hiring advisers to oppose them, so as to frustrate their plans, throughout the time of King Cyrus of Persia until the reign of King Darius of Persia.
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