The Battle of Following
Daily Old Testament Reading: Ezra 2-4
Daily Focus Passage: Ezra 4
The Book of Ezra shares the event of the people returning from exile under the rule of the Babylonians and the Assyrians. The return included returning to their homeland and rebuilding the city and temple in ruins. As the people returned, the Lord instructed them to rebuild the temple. In Ezra 2-3, the Lord equips those he needs for the task and calls on the people to obtain the required material for the reconstruction sacrificially. In Ezra 4, the people seek to follow the Lord's instruction when facing opposition to the work. As we read this historical event, may we see the reasons for the opposition and the need for the resolve to serve the Lord through the moments of facing opposition.
THE REALITY OF OPPOSITION
When we follow the Lord, we will face moments of opposition. The opposition often comes from those who say the right things and have the proper desire. In Ezra 4, the people approach those called to reconstruct the temple and appear to have the same desire. Their words affirm the reconstruction and seem to desire to honor the Lord. Yet, this moment reveals that their words and ambitions rested on the wrong motivation.
The people approached the workers with the wrong heart. They supported the reconstruction because it appeared to be the "in thing" to do. They wanted to appear faithful and with the Lord. They sought to carry out proper acts to be on the right side of history. They did not seek to serve the Lord in obedience or to live according to the calling of the Lord. They wanted to serve out of their desires, and they wanted to serve in the way they wanted to serve, even if it went against the Lord.
Those constructing the temple responded to the people negatively. They refused to allow the people to help because their offer of support went against the calling of the Lord. The people responded to the response by opposing the work. They opposed the people and the work. The opposition occurred because their desires were rejected. They attempted to cause a distraction against the work of the Lord and cause earthly hurdles. We must recognize that following the Lord causes opposition. We must know that opposition is not directly against us but against the one who has called us. At the same time, we must guard that our hearts are right and not seek to serve for selfish reasons.
THE CONTINUED OBEDIENCE
When opposition arose, the people remained faithful. The people responded to the Lord initially in faithfulness. He called them to the work, and they entered the work. They sought to serve in faithfulness and obey the Lord's calling. The response to the Lord was sacrificial and centered on glorifying the Lord in obedience.
The people responded to the opposition in the world by setting their eyes on the calling of the Lord. They did not seek a less painful way to reconstruct the temple. Instead, they sought faithful obedience. They responded to the world by not allowing the world to interfere in the ways of the Lord. Their commitment was to God and not others. This all came from the desire to live in righteousness. Today, we must seek to obey in proper obedience. We must set out to fulfill the Lord's calling no matter the opposition we face. We must never abandon or alter the calling of the Lord to appease the people.
The people sought to obey the leading of the Lord. They allowed discernment to guide their steps as others approached with the desire to help. They remained faithful to the call of the Lord even though those in the world appeared to have the urge to reconstruct with them. The continued obedience must cause us to analyze our lives and see if we would respond similarly. Would we be more like those who opposed the work of the Lord or those who ignited the opposition because of their obedience to the Lord?
