I'm in Ezra 4:1-5 this morning.
When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles[a] were building a temple for Yahweh, the God of Israel, 2 they approached Zerubbabel and the leaders of the families and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we also worship your God and have been sacrificing to Him[b] since the time King Esar-haddon of Assyria[c] brought us here.”
3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other leaders of Israel’s families answered them, “You may have no part with us in building a house for our God, since we alone must build it for Yahweh, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia has commanded us.” 4 Then the people who were already in the land[d] discouraged[e] the people of Judah and made them afraid to build. 5 They also bribed officials to act against them to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of King Cyrus of Persia and until the reign of King Darius of Persia.[f]
When I read these verses, it reminded me of something I saw on Facebook a day or two ago. It was a picture of some animals (maybe fish swimming?) and the caption was "make sure those you surround yourself with are working toward the same goal you are". That is a rough translation. It's a truth I've internalized long ago; so, I did not pay much attention to it at the time...In these five verses we find the Jews busily rebuilding the temple, when they encounter some wolves masquerading as sheep. These people of Assyrian descent asked to take part in re-building the temple. Suspecting them of insincerity, the Jews refused their help.
Now, if these wiseacres had truly wanted to help, they would have politely accepted the Jewish leaders' refusal and gone out to try to help in other ways, such as by encouraging the Jewish people. But, that was not their response! Instead, they went out from the Temple area and began to sow seeds of discord among the Jewish people there in Jerusalem.
Notice these points:
1. They did not mount a direct attack. They were sneaky about it, pretending to be friends. This is a tactic the Devil often employs. He will either use a person to pretend to be your ally; or, he will deceive your actual friends into leading you astray.
2. Their first place of attack was the temple. The enemies knew that if they could frustrate the temple construction by causing it to go awry, they would more easily defeat these returning people. Satan's attacks often begin in the true Church.
3. The Jews used in their defense the command of their God and also of their earthly King. At this point, the enemies had no choice but to withdraw and employ another tactic.
4. The next tactics used by the naysayers are still two of Satan's favorite weapons today: discouragement and fear.
5. Lastly, they began to use the government to work against them.
Here are the lessons from this passage:
1. Choose your friends wisely. It is a fact that almost everyone will become more like those they choose to surround themselves with. Parents, protect your children, especially in their formative years while living at home and going to school. Here are some good verses on how to choose your friends: Proverbs 12:26, 13:20, 14:6-7 and I Corinthians 15:33
2. Know that, as a Christian, you are in the crosshairs. Whether we like it or not, we are at the nexus of the epic, spiritual battle which rages all round us in the spiritual realm. Anything you attempt to do for the glory of God (and that should be everything you do!) is going to be a target for Satan. He opposes everything that is "of God". It's "a given". Put on your armor! (See prior post.)
Here are just a few examples of opposition to the Truth, in Jesus' day and in the early Church:
Matthew 21:12-13
1 Cor. 5:12-13
Rev. 2:20
3. When attacked, stand on the Word of God. In order to do this, you have to know the Word of God, which means that Bible study is a necessity.
2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17
John 6:63b
4. Once you know what you should do, do not let discouragement or fear deter you. Believe in that to which you have been called! I have heard it said that a person's ability is not as important as his or her determination. Without the determination and persistence that come from a holy calling, you will not succeed, because you'll fall to the discouragement, frustrations and setbacks that will come your way.
Colossians 3:17, 23
5. There will be times along the way when you are "just not feeling it". So what? The attainment of your goals should not be dependent upon your feelings. Satan can too easily manipulate your emotions. Stand firm and soldier on. Once you have accomplished what God has called you to do, THEN you'll receive the reward of positive feelings. I had a professor in college once who used to say, "Good feelings follow right actions, and right actions follow right decisions." Wise words.
Ephesians 6:14 These verses tell us to "stand firm". We also should run to Him for comfort when we are battered and war-weary. Read Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
This is what I need when I'm not "feeling it" - - - the peace that transcends all human understanding!
6. You may be living in a time or place when/where your government is against you. In those cases, we need to be "wise as snakes and harmless as turtledoves", to paraphrase Jesus' instructions in Matthew 10:16. Where we can obey our government and still obey the Word of God, we should. Jesus made that plain with his command, "Give back to Caesar {the government} what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." Mark 12:17 (NIV) But, when it is impossible to obey both, our allegiance is to God and what He has revealed to us in his Word, the Bible.
7. Do not employ the tactics of the enemy. To do so hurts your testimony and cheapens the name of Christ. You bear His righteous name. Don't disgrace it in the pursuit of your God-given mission.
Dear Father, I am so easily discouraged, especially when the battle rages. I get weary and so sad sometimes, even though I know that I am on the winning side. Please help me to put on my battle gear every day and to realize the enemy's stealth attacks when they come. Remind me to run into your outstretched arms. "For in Your presence is fullness of joy..." (Ps. 16:11). In Your presence, I can be restored, rejuvenated and battle-ready again. Thank you for your great, great love for me! In Jesus' name, amen.
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