Ezra 5-7

May 21

Ezra 5-7

Though they faced opposition and King Artaxerxes wrote a letter instructed the Israelites to stop building the temple, a few men decided that they would obey God instead of man. They began to build the temple, while Haggai and Zechariah continued to preach. Those who opposed the building sent a letter to the new king, Darius. In their letter they told Darius how the Israelites claimed that God had allowed the destruction of the temple because of their disobedience. They also told King Darius, that the Israelites claimed King Cyrus issued a decree that the temple was to be rebuilt. Darius searched the archives and found that Cyrus had issued a decree and that the cost for the construction was to be paid by the royal treasury.

God looked out for the Israelites. He provided the men with the ability and desire to rebuild the temple. He provided the materials needed. God used what those who opposed the building to bring about a greater good for His people. Darius proclaimed that the men working on the temple were to be paid from the royal treasury and that the work was not to be stopped.

Opposition is not always bad. Sometimes opposition opens new opportunities. Without opposition we continue on the same path doing the same things. Opposition forces us to reexamine where we are going and why we are going there. Sometimes opposition forces us to go in a different direction. Sometimes opposition makes us look for new ways to accomplish our goals. Opposition is not always bad. If we keep our eyes focused on God and His call on our lives, opposition will only make us stronger.