Today I read Ezra 3 & 4, in which the altar and foundation were built for Jerusalem but the enemies frustrated their efforts to finish building. Today I considered that sometimes enemies will try to stop you from finishing your project.
Building Begins and Stops
The Jews began building in Jerusalem but had to stop because of the lies of their enemies (Ezra 3:1-4:24). In the seventh month, the children of Israel gathered and were led by priest Jeshua and family and Zerubbabel and family to build an altar to God despite their fear of the people of the countries around them. They then offered burnt offerings and kept the feast of tabernacles. The children of Israel gave money to masons and carpenters and bought wood to build the foundation of the temple. In the second year and second month the children of Israel gathered and built the foundation of the temple. Then they celebrated with ancient men weeping and others shouting with joy such that the noise was heard far away. Enemies of Judah asked to be part of the building of the temple for God, but Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the leaders refused. The enemies hampered their efforts to build during Cyrus’ and Darius’ reign. The enemies wrote Artaxerxtes saying the Jews would rebel like before and not pay taxes if they finished building the city. Artaxerxtes’ response said the records indicated that Jerusalem previously had mighty kings that ruled, and they enemies were to stop Jerusalem from being rebuilt.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
There are people in the world that will not be happy that you started a beautiful project. These individuals will not want you to finish it. So, sometimes it is better not to tell others about your project or let them know about your happiness so they can’t cause you problems.
When was a time you wished you had waited until you completed a project before letting anyone know about it?