November 27, 2010
Seven months after the Israelites settled into their homeland, they met together and began to build the altar. Ezra 3:3 - "Even though they were afraid of the people living around them, they built the altar where it had been before." Two years after they arrived they began to rebuild the foundations of the temple. When they finished the foundation, with praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD, "He is good; His love for Israel continues forever."
But then... their enemies heard what they were doing and they showed up under the guise of "helping."
Ezra 4:2 - "Let us help you build, because we are like you and want to worship your God." The people saw through the ruse. They said, "We will build it ourselves." When their enemies first attempt to disrupt them didn't work their enemies tried again, this time using discouragement and fear. Then their enemies tried a third method. They hired others to delay their work. When that wasn't enough they tried the fourth, send a letter to the king. This time their guise was to act like they were only concerned about the king. You should know—the people you freed are rebuilding Jerusalem. You should know—if you allow them to do this they won't pay taxes. We're only writing to tell you this because we are loyal to the government and we don't want to see the king dishonored. Check the records king. You should know—that if you allow this you will be left with nothing. And the king gave the order for them to stop.
Next Entry: Ezra 5:1 – 6:22
Seven months after the Israelites settled into their homeland, they met together and began to build the altar. Ezra 3:3 - "Even though they were afraid of the people living around them, they built the altar where it had been before." Two years after they arrived they began to rebuild the foundations of the temple. When they finished the foundation, with praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD, "He is good; His love for Israel continues forever."
But then... their enemies heard what they were doing and they showed up under the guise of "helping."
Ezra 4:2 - "Let us help you build, because we are like you and want to worship your God." The people saw through the ruse. They said, "We will build it ourselves." When their enemies first attempt to disrupt them didn't work their enemies tried again, this time using discouragement and fear. Then their enemies tried a third method. They hired others to delay their work. When that wasn't enough they tried the fourth, send a letter to the king. This time their guise was to act like they were only concerned about the king. You should know—the people you freed are rebuilding Jerusalem. You should know—if you allow them to do this they won't pay taxes. We're only writing to tell you this because we are loyal to the government and we don't want to see the king dishonored. Check the records king. You should know—that if you allow this you will be left with nothing. And the king gave the order for them to stop.
Next Entry: Ezra 5:1 – 6:22
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