Lessons for Christians to follow: EZRA 4: 1 – 9
BASIC SCRIPTURE: EZRA 4: 1 – 9
Ezra 4:1-9 (NIV):
1 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, “Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.”
3 But Zerubbabel, Joshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, “You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us.”
4 Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. 5 They bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.
6 At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, they lodged an accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.
7 And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. The letter was written in Aramaic script and in the Aramaic language.
8 Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows:
9 Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary, together with the rest of their associates—the judges, officials and administrators over the people from Persia, Uruk and Babylon, the Elamites of Susa,
FINISH READING: Today’s ODM Devotional 9 November 2023
Lessons for Christians to follow:
- Commitment to God’s Work: Just as the Israelites were committed to rebuilding the temple, Christians should be dedicated to God’s work in their lives and communities, despite opposition or discouragement.
- Stay Focused Despite Opposition: Christians should remain focused on their calling and God-given tasks, even when facing opposition. They should not allow detractors or adversaries to hinder their commitment to serving God.
- Reject Compromise: The Israelites refused the assistance of those who didn’t share their faith, staying true to their purpose. Likewise, Christians should be cautious not to compromise their faith or dilute their convictions by aligning with those who oppose God’s ways.
- Perseverance and Resilience: Even in the face of opposition, Christians are called to continue the work God has entrusted to them, showing resilience, perseverance, and trust in God’s sovereignty.
- Prayer and Dependence on God: In the midst of challenges, it’s essential for Christians to maintain a deep reliance on God through prayer, seeking His guidance and strength to overcome obstacles.
This passage from Ezra serves as a reminder to stay committed to God’s work, even in the face of opposition, and to remain steadfast in faith and purpose.