In Ezra 4:7-16 we are told that the opposers of the Jewish community who returned from exile rejected the help of the Samaritans to help in rebuilding Jerusalem. Feeling snubbed and spurned, they wrote a letter to Artaxerxes complaining about the Jews. They insinuated that the returnee's work could incite rebellion from his other subjects from the other part of his empire.
On
reading the letter of complaint, Artaxerxes responded. Ezra 4:17-23 describe
his reply to Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and also the rest of their
colleagues who were in Samaria. As suggested in the letter of complaint,
Artaxerxes ordered an investigation into their accusation. From the archive, they found that the complaint had some basis. The Judeans had indeed been paying
taxes to kings before him. Artaxerxes also
discovered the people of Jerusalem had indeed had a history of troubling the
kings and were guilty of perpetrating rebellions. Not wanting his reputation to
be damaged the king ordered Rehum, Shamshai, and all their colleagues to issue a
decree to stop the ongoing rebuilding work in Jerusalem until a further decree
was given. He even commanded them not to neglect this matter so as to avoid any
impairment to him. Verse 24 tells us
that as a result, the work of rebuilding ceased until the second year of Darius.
There
will always be objections to the work of God we are engaged in. The opposition can impede our
progress but can never prevent its completion. There will always be people who
are eagerly waiting for our failure. We don’t have to succumb to failure for in doing God’s work we will
always have Him on our side. we trust HIm, soldier on. Remember the work of God can withstand all opposition He will ensure its completion.
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