September 9, 2025 -God's Plan Will Prevail

EZRA 2:1-4:5

1 CHRONICLES 3:19-24

Chronological Bible Readings

Ezra 4:1 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.”

The enemies that offered to help were not looking to actually help. They were enemies. They knew all that God had done for His people in the past and they were scared. Maybe they were trying to make nice so that they would not be attacked later. Or could it be they were trying to get their hands into things to have some influence and stop them from the inside. Whatever the reason it was not for the good of the Israelite people or in service or reverence to God. Could the Israelites have tried to read more into their offer? For example, they could have thought God is not only making it so we are allowed to rebuild the temple, but He is also using our enemies to help us accomplish the task. After all that would help them to get it built faster so it must be a good thing, right? But we know that God consistently discouraged them from partnering with their enemies because the enemy always pulls them away from Him. Sometimes God starts us on a path that is going to be hard work and take time and there is a reason for it. Justifying things that are not consistent in who God is because we think it could help us get there doesn't make it right.

Ezra 4:4 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.

When that didn't work the enemy switched tactics. When they were doing what they were called to do those around them tried to discourage them when they couldn't work their way into their plans for their own purposes. But God's purposes never fail. No matter how much an enemy tries to assert their influence over the situation.

When we are doing what we are called to do we must keep our eyes on what God is doing. We must resist the temptation to try to make things happen in our timing and by ways that do not align with God's nature and plan. And when we are challenged, we must always trust God who can overcome every enemy and accomplish His purpose in His timing.