April 23, 2025, Ezra 4:17-24
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?”
23 Then,
when the copy of King Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum and Shimshai the
scribe and their associates, they went in haste to the Jews at Jerusalem and by
force and power made them cease. 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.
In verses 23 and 24 it
appears evil people have thwarted God’s work. Think about churches where you
have served and attended. Are people any different today? Are there people
present in our local churches that work to undo what God has called the minister
to do? Be careful of your position as you labor for the Lord.
Debbie Walker
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