Rebuild: Ezra 4:1-24

Notes:

Exiles Experience Pushback

Verses 1-6; 24:

Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the LORD, the God of Israel, 2 they 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 Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.” 3 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.”

4 Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build 5 and bribed counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

24 Then the work on the house of God that is in Jerusalem stopped, and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

How do we relate to the World?

Rejecting Syncretism

Commentator calls this group of Exiles “Nation-Church”

Too strong:

More like a county within a broader Nation.

Fully Governed by foreign Kings, but yet trying to operate with their own self-governing group of Exiles.

All told=just less than 50,000: Size of Holly Springs!

A group the size of Holly Springs trying to build an altar and a temple.

After a while, their Neighbors do, what appears to be, the neighborly thing to do:

“How can we help?”

“Let us build with you…” Sounds good…

But then: For we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.”

Reference to an event that happened 140 years earlier…

2 Kings 17:33 “So they feared the Lord but also served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.”

Neighbors weren’t being neighbors… vs. 1: “Now when the adversaries…”

They were only neighbors in the sense that they lived nearby, but their offer isn’t genuine.

“adversaries”=

v. 2: “We worship your God as you do…” Is a lie! Kidner: “Put forward as a multi-faith proposition.”

v. 3: “There is nothing to you and to us.”

Appeal from local Jehovah Witness “pastor.”

I want to learn more about this passage.

Both trying to convert the other.

Can’t do ministry with “adversaries.” They are, by definition, not on your side. They are trying to weasel themselves into your agendas.

Jehovah Witness isn’t my enemy, he is merely a victim in this war, blinded by in the Darkness, wanting to spread the darkness.

God’s People saw through their intent:

Response:

“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.”

You have nothing to do with us= “Nothing is to you and to us.”

Shouldn’t have Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the gang been more neighborly?

Imagine I was working on an outdoor project, say fixing my screen-in porch door… And John, my neighbor, came up to me and said, “Hey Mark, how could I help? Give me a hammer.”

And I responded: “Nothing is to you and to me…”

NIV: “You have nothing to do with us…”

What kind of response is that? Too extreme?

Commendable Response!

Issue Zerubbabel and Jeshua were avoiding:

Don’t start mixing in with the wrong crowd.

Don’t partner with those you know are not fully on board with the Gospel.

Don’t synchronize your beliefs with people who

Jehovah Witness

Years ago, I put my washer and drying on Facebook marketplace. The guy who ended up buying it from me gave me a few extra bucks for delivering it to his home.

Super nice dude! Between the 2 of us, man handled the two machines into it’s spot and we started talking.

Turns out, he was a regular preacher at the Jehovah Witnesses building down on Sunset Lake Road.

Offered to get together with him for evangelistic purposes. Again, super nice guy.

We got together once at a local coffee shop and he shared a lot about how he prepares for sermons and all that. I shortly discovered that he was trying to convert me just as much as I was trying to convert him!

Anyway, after we met he threw me a text with an invitation: He was wanted to see if I would be willing to meet each week to discuss a Bible text: What it could mean, how to preach it? He basically wanted to exegetical work with me.

And I hated having to do this, but I wrote him this long and thoughtful response explaining that it would be impossible for me to do that kind of work with him.

We never met again.

There’s a line that we must draw.

Hope Center at Pullen

Early on in church planting, we had supported an organization that supported foster kids transition out of the foster care program as young adults. Only to find out later this organization was somehow affiliated with one of the most liberal churches in the City.

YMCA

Years ago, I used to plan out a prayer meeting at the YMCA. In my third year of that, I couldn’t make the first planning meeting and they decided that rather than a denominational prayer service, it would be an interfaith prayer service. The year previous, I explained how that kind of partnership doesn’t work, but the planning committee just couldn’t stop from wanting to hold hands and sing cumbaya. I informed them I had to resign from the planning committee. I talked to the organizer afterwards to ask how it went, and she said somethign like, “It was so great! So meaningful to pray in each their own way and doing so so respectfully. It was a huge success!”

I again tried to explain that by definition, these interfaith prayer events just don’t work. But her experience of what it felt like to be together far outweighed my opinion…

God’s people couldn’t allow neighbors to come and help them build. This was God’s People, God’s building, God’s City, God’s Walls, intended for God’s people to build. There is no wiggle room here.

Result=

People did three things:

Discouraged the people

Threatened them

Hired professionals to frustrate their purpose.

This kind of tension just continued…

Goes against my natural tendencies:

StrengthsFinder:

“Woo stands for winning others over. You enjoy the challenge of meeting new people and getting them to like you. Strangers are rarely intimidating to you.

Not only are you rarely at a loss for words; you actually enjoy initiating with strangers because you derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection. Once that connection is made, you are quite happy to wrap it up and move on. There are new people to meet, new rooms to work, new crowds to mingle in.

In your world, there are no strangers, only friends you haven't met yet -- lots of them.

Conflict Never Went Away

6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

7 In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam and Mithredath and Tabeel and the rest of their associates wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated. 8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows: 9 Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges, the governors, the officials, the Persians, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites, 10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River. 11 (This is a copy of the letter that they sent.) “To Artaxerxes the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now 12 be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. 13 Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired. 14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to witness the king’s dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king, 15 in order that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will find in the book of the records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and that sedition was stirred up in it from of old. That was why this city was laid waste. 16 We make known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River.” The King Orders the Work to Cease

17 The king sent an answer: “To Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their associates who live in Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River, greeting. And now 18 the letter that you sent to us has been plainly read before me. 19 And I made a decree, and search has been made, and it has been found that this city from of old has risen against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it. 20 And mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, who ruled over the whole province Beyond the River, to whom tribute, custom, and toll were paid. 21 Therefore make a decree that these men be made to cease, and that this city be not rebuilt, until a decree is made by me. 22 And take care not to be slack in this matter. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the king?”

Timeline:

538 BC: Cyrus of Persia issues decree allowing Jews to return (Ezra 1; cf. Isa. 44:28).

536 BC: Altar rebuilt; Temple foundations laid (Ezra 3). Opposition begins (Ezra 4:1–5).

530–520 BC: Temple rebuild stalls during reigns of Cambyses II and early Darius I.

520 BC: Haggai and Zechariah prophesy; rebuild of Temple resumes (Ezra 5; Hag. 1:1).

515 BC: Temple rebuild completed

486–465 BC: Ahasuerus (Greek=Xerxes from Esther) reign; Ezra 4:6 shows opposition to rebuild of Jerusalem.

465–424 BC – Artaxerxes I; Ezra 4:7–23, letter written by adversaries to stop Jerusalem rebuild (Timeline of Ezra 7-Nehemiah

By Artexerxes, Temple was already 50 years old.

Thematic Point: Constant, persistent, unavoidable, and inevitable Conflict was the reality of the Exilic Life

Constant opposition to rebuild of Temple

Constant opposition to rebuild of Jerusalem

Dale Davis: Author’s desire from vv. 6-23 is to overwhelm the reader with just the constant seige of attack.

Letter to Artexerxes I is a perfect example of this opposition: Shows strategy for how they functioned:

Loyalty to the Crown

v. 14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace…”

NIV: “14 Now since we are under obligation to the palace”

2. Coercion: “it is not fitting for us to witness the king’s dishonor.”

lit.= “they do not want to see his nakedness.”

3. Accusations of Jewish Revolt

v. 13: Problem #1: They will evade paying taxes

4. Accusations of Flat out of Rebellion:

v.16 We make known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River.

Dale Davis, 54: “Perhaps they discovered the revolt of Hezekiah against Assyria (II Kings 18:7) and/or Zedekiah’s rebellion against Babylon (Jer 52:3).”

Egypt rebelled against Babylon in 586 (Khabasha’s revolt), lasting to 483.

Beginning at v. 8 and through 6:18, the verses are written in Aramaic

Open to Changing his mind:

Ezra 4:21 “21 Therefore make a decree that these men be made to cease, and that this city be not rebuilt, until a decree is made by me.” Open door for him to change his mind and send Nehemiah

Conflict Remains

1 John 3:13 “13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.”

1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”

2 Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”

John 15:18–20 “18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”

How do we respond?

With Confidence that Jesus Already Won

Jesus Won

Colossians 1:13 “13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,”

Hebrews 12:28 “28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,”

With a strong sense of identity:

Peter Dealt with Conflict:

Went from rejecting Jesus to equipping the Church to deal with opposition.

1 Peter 1:1 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion...

Church=Elect Exiles

Exilarch: Title given to those considered the ruler of the Jewish Rulers during the intertestimentary period.

Christ is our Rule!

Who is the Enemy?

Who the enemy is not?

Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Revelation 12:10 “10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.”

1 Peter 5:8–9 “8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”

How do we fight?

With the Armor of God

Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

With Sacrifice

Hebrews 10:32–34 “32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.”

With Integrity, Gentleness, and Good Deeds:

1 Peter 2:12 “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

1 Peter 3:13–16 “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”

1 Peter 4:14–15 “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.”

1 Peter 4:19 “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”

With Love

Matthew 5:44 “44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

Matthew 5:10–12 “10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

1 Peter 3:9 “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”

With Prayer and in the Word:

1 Timothy 2:1–2 “1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

Philippians 2:15–16 “That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”

1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

With the Future in Mind

1 Peter 5:10 “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

Philippians 3:20 “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”

Don’t like conflict…

How do we do this?

1st Century Conflict:

The Church don’t need to protect itself like it’s it’s own nation. That’s not our responsibility.

We are walking around as if we’re losing the cultural wars!

We’ve already WON!

Lies we tell ourselves:

The Reign of Christ is here and now, not waiting and future.