In Ezra, chapter four, verse twenty-four, the work on the temple ceased soon after it began and did not resume eighteen years later. The record returns to Ezra four, verse five, with more specific detail. The suspension of the general enterprise called “the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem” lasted nearly …
In Ezra, chapter four, verse twenty-three, the “adversaries” lost no time by obtaining the decree which forbade further building and proceeded with it to Jerusalem, and by a display of force compelled the people of God who were helping to build into submission. No doubt, resistance may have occurred, but resistance would have been rebellion. …
In Ezra, chapter four, verses eleven, Ezra does not give details of the accusation made by Judah’s enemies to King Ahasuerus, as in verse six, when the copy of the letter on Ezra’s day was given to the next king, Artaxerxes. Unfortunately, the letter contained some truth – Jerusalem had rebelled against the Babylonians more …
In Ezra four, verse five, the Samaritans endeavored by every means to molest the workers and obstruct the progress of the building. Although they could not alter the decree that Cyrus had issued regarding it, yet by bribes and fraudulent activity plied at court, they labored to frustrate the effects of the commandment.Their success in …
In Ezra, chapter four, verse three. Zerubbabel and Jeshua refused to enter fellowship with “the people of the land,” for they lived by the Biblical principle of separation from idolatry and compromise with the world. This refusal to accept a pluralistic religion led to opposition and persecution for God’s faithful people, as in verses four …
In Ezra, chapter four, verse two, the enemies of God, as in the example with the Samaritans in Second Kings, verses twenty-four through thirty-four, attempt to infiltrate the chosen people of God and disrupt the building of the temple by a pretense of unity and by an offer to join together to advance God’s work. …
In Ezra, chapter four, verse one, believers will always undergo a measure of opposition from the ungodly, as in Second Corinthians eleven, verses thirteen through fifteen, Ephesians six, verse twelve, and Second Timothy three, verse twelve, respectively. The righteous, who proclaim the truth and rely on God alone, must respond to these threats by constant …
In Ezra, chapter three, verse twelve, although God’s law encouraged worship in an orderly manner, it did not limit worship to a set form or pattern. Some of those who had seen the glory of Solomon’s temple burst into tears, undoubtedly relieved that the shame of its destruction was now gone, while others broke into …
In Ezra, chapter three, verse eight, the highest priority for the people upon returning to Jerusalem was to rebuild the temple and reinstate the faithful worship of the Lord. Their years in captivity had taught them that God would not be their protection and helper unless they put Him first in their lives. The building …
In Ezra, chapter three, verse eleven, the people sang praise to the Lord when they saw the temple laid because it represented God’s answer to their prayers and His goodness. Biblical praise exalts God and His work and is an element of worship in which all the people are to participate. There was a remarkable …
