Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

September 19th

The bible reading today is in Ezra 4-6 and Ps 137.

In Ezra chapter 4, the Samaritans, .made up of Assyrians who married Israelis for several generations since the Assyrian defeat and capture of the northern kingdom, made an offer to help build the Temple. But the Judeans refused their offer.

The Samaritans wrote a letter to the king of Persia full of accusations against the Judeans. The king of Persia responded commanding the Jews to cease building the Temple.

The text...“The Samaritans approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers’ houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Ezzerhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.”

But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers’ houses in Israel said to them, “ “You have nothing to do with us...in building a house to our God; but we “alone” will build to the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭4:2-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

At first, the Samaritan appeal to help the Jews rebuild their Temple seems like a generous offer. It was going to be a huge job. Surely the Judeans could use all the help they could get.

“Let us build with you...” Did they really want to help? Without strings attached? That is what Godly helping starts with no hidden agendas just looking for ways to assist someone with “their” work.

But Zerubbabel and the High Priest, Joshua, and the chiefs of the tribes in Israel knew what I didnt. They knew the motive behind the Samaritan offer. They were looking for a way to ease into a partnership with the Judeans, especially for the use of the Temple itself.

They had some Jewish ties but they also had ties with Assyrian gods and goddesses, the main one being Ashur, known as the Sun God, and the Tree God. The Samaritans thought they could go through the “Temple motions” of worshipping Yahweh and worship Ashur as well.

No wonder Zerubabbel told them in no uncertain terms that they had “no part”...“no common fellowship” on this mission to rebuild the House of God. Not even. a "thank you though”. Just a straight forward “no...” we “alone” will build this house unto the Lord...”

Reminds me of the apostle Paul’s teaching...“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6:14-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Zerubabbel knew that the Samaritans were posers, unbelievers, pretenders, with wicked motives. He courageously led the Judeans to reject their offer.

So the Samaritans conspired with Artaxerxes, the king in Persia to put a stop to the Temple building. And so by kings edict and force, the rebuilding of the Temple ceased.

Somewhere between 9 and 15 years later “...Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.”

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭5:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Even the Godliest can be beaten down and separated from his dedication to fulfill his God given mission. Even Zerubabbel needed the support of the prophets to get back to work. Working with God on his God-sized assignment...regardless of the consequences.

Thanks, Lord, for using these ordinary men to do extraordinary things. They started and stopped and then started again...with You and with each other.

May our churches do the same....with the assignments You give us.

Have a great day