God
us
world
Opposition…
Opposition…
Ezra 4:1-24
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers' houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.”
Big Idea: Ezra reveals that as we pursue God's work, we will face opposition from a rebellious world; stop being surprised, but don’t miss this is also the story of opposition overcome and the undefeatable, advancing purposes of God. Stay faithful.
Ezra 4:1-24
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers' houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.”
Ezra 4:1-24
4 Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build 5 and bribed counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Ezra 4:1-24
4 Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build 5 and bribed counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Ezra 4:1-24
4 Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build 5 and bribed counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Ezra 4:1-24
4 Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build 5 and bribed counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Why has Ezra arranged the book this way?
Why has Ezra arranged the book this way?
Ezra 4:1–5 Cyrus to Darius | 538–530, reign of Cyrus 522–486, reign of Darius |
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Why has Ezra arranged the book this way?
Ezra 4:1–5 Cyrus to Darius | 538–530, reign of Cyrus 522–486, reign of Darius |
Ezra 4:6–7 Xerxes to Artaxerxes | 485–464, reign of Xerxes (cf. Esther 1:1) 464–423, reign of Artaxerxes |
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Why has Ezra arranged the book this way?
Ezra 4:1–5 Cyrus to Darius | 538–530, reign of Cyrus 522–486, reign of Darius |
Ezra 4:6–7 Xerxes to Artaxerxes | 485–464, reign of Xerxes (cf. Esther 1:1) 464–423, reign of Artaxerxes |
Ezra 4:8–16/17-23 Letter/response Artaxerxes | 464–423, reign of Artaxerxes � |
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Why has Ezra arranged the book this way?
Ezra 4:1–5 Cyrus to Darius | 538–530, reign of Cyrus 522–486, reign of Darius |
Ezra 4:6–7 Xerxes to Artaxerxes | 485–464, reign of Xerxes (cf. Esther 1:1) 464–423, reign of Artaxerxes |
Ezra 4:8–16/17-23 Letter/response Artaxerxes | 464–423, reign of Artaxerxes � |
Ezra 4:24 Return to time of Darius | 520 BC “second year of … Darius” � |
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
– John 16:33
The cultural cost of calling yourself “Christian” is starting to outweigh the cultural benefit, so those who do not identify as a “Christian” according to their convictions are starting to identify as “nones” because it’s more culturally savvy.
- Ed Stetzer's “FIRST-PERSON: Takeaways from Pew’s Religious Landscape Survey”
Ezra 4:1-24
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers' houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.” 3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers' houses in Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we alone will build to the Lord,
Ezra 4:1-24
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers' houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.” 3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers' houses in Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we alone will build to the Lord,
Ezra 4:1-24
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers' houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.” 3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers' houses in Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we alone will build to the Lord,
Galatians 2:1-5
I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
Ezra 4:1-24
6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
7 In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam and Mithredath and Tabeel and the rest of their associates wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated. 8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows: 9 Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges, the governors, the officials, the Persians, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites, 10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River. 11 (This is a copy of the letter that they sent.)
Ezra 4:1-24
“To Artaxerxes the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now 12 be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. 13 Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired. 14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to witness the king's dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king,
Ezra 4:1-24
“To Artaxerxes the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now 12 be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. 13 Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired. 14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to witness the king's dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king,
Ezra 4:1-24
“To Artaxerxes the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now 12 be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. 13 Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired. 14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to witness the king's dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king,
Ezra 4:1-24
“To Artaxerxes the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now 12 be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. 13 Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired. 14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to witness the king's dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king,
Ezra 4:1-24
15 in order that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will find in the book of the records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and that sedition was stirred up in it from of old. That was why this city was laid waste. 16 We make known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River.”
Ezra 4:1-24
15 in order that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will find in the book of the records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and that sedition was stirred up in it from of old. That was why this city was laid waste. 16 We make known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River.”
Why has Ezra arranged the book this way?
Ezra 4:1–5 Cyrus to Darius | 538–530, reign of Cyrus 522–486, reign of Darius |
Ezra 4:6–7 Xerxes to Artaxerxes | 485–464, reign of Xerxes (cf. Esther 1:1) 464–423, reign of Artaxerxes |
Ezra 4:8–16/17-23 Letter/response Artaxerxes | 464–423, reign of Artaxerxes � |
Ezra 4:24 Return to time of Darius | 520 BC “second year of … Darius” � |
Ezra 4:1-24
17 The king sent an answer: “To Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their associates who live in Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River, greeting. And now 18 the letter that you sent to us has been plainly read before me. 19 And I made a decree, and search has been made, and it has been found that this city from of old has risen against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it. 20 And mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, who ruled over the whole province Beyond the River, to whom tribute, custom, and toll were paid.
Ezra 4:1-24
17 The king sent an answer: “To Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their associates who live in Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River, greeting. And now 18 the letter that you sent to us has been plainly read before me. 19 And I made a decree, and search has been made, and it has been found that this city from of old has risen against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it. 20 And mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, who ruled over the whole province Beyond the River, to whom tribute, custom, and toll were paid.
Ezra 4:1-24
21 Therefore make a decree that these men be made to cease, and that this city be not rebuilt, until a decree is made by me. 22 And take care not to be slack in this matter. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the king?”
“Racism is still a problem.” “So you’re saying we should abandon the gospel and embrace neo-Marxism!” “Black lives matter.” “So you’re saying all lives don’t matter?” “The fact that 70% of black children are born without married parents in the home should matter to us!” “So you’re saying you’re a racist, blaming the victim and saying the black communities problems are completely their own fault!” “Marriage is complementary union between male and female.” “So you’re saying you hate gay people.” “During COVID-19 pandemic, we should shelter in place to protect the most vulnerable.”
“So you’re saying you are anti-freedom and want us all to bow to tyranny!” “We should reopen the economy to help those whose livelihoods and mental health are being devastated by quarantine.” “So you’re saying you want the virus to spread and more people die!” The list could go on and on.
Confronting Justice without Compromising Truth, Thaddeus Williams pg 9.
Ezra 4:1-24
23 Then, when the copy of King Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their associates, they went in haste to the Jews at Jerusalem and by force and power made them cease. 24 Then the work on the house of God that is in Jerusalem stopped, and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Why has Ezra arranged the book this way?
Ezra 4:1–5 Cyrus to Darius | 538–530, reign of Cyrus 522–486, reign of Darius |
Ezra 4:6–7 Xerxes to Artaxerxes | 485–464, reign of Xerxes (cf. Esther 1:1) 464–423, reign of Artaxerxes |
Ezra 4:8–16/17-23 Letter/response Artaxerxes | 464–423, reign of Artaxerxes � |
Ezra 4:24 Return to time of Darius | 520 BC “second year of … Darius” � |
Ezra 4:1-24
4 Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build 5 and bribed counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
“The assumption of spirituality is that always God is doing something before I know it. So the task is not to get God to do something I think needs to be done, but to become aware of what God is doing so that I can respond to it and participate and take delight in it.”
- Eugene Peterson, Contemplative Pastor.
Our typical response:
The Church’s Response – Not so Good
1) FLEE/ACCEPT: God loves us and He has no problem with our distorting His design. It’s ok to not trust Him on this.
world
us
God
world
us
God
The Church’s Response – Not so Good
1) FLEE/ACCEPT: God loves us and He has no problem with our distorting His design. It’s ok to not trust Him on this.
2) FIGHT: God hates sin, and has called us to get rid of it in others.
The Church’s Response – Not so Good
1) FLEE/ACCEPT: God loves us and He has no problem with our distorting His design. It’s ok to not trust Him on this.
2) FIGHT: God hates sin, and has called us to get rid of it in others.
What the evangelical approach seems to have been:
The Church’s Response – Not so Good
1) FLEE/ACCEPT: God loves us and He has no problem with our distorting His design. It’s ok to not trust Him on this.
2) FIGHT: God hates sin, and has called us to get rid of it in others.
What the evangelical approach seems to have been:
The Church’s Response – Not so Good
1) FLEE/ACCEPT: God loves us and He has no problem with our distorting His design. It’s ok to not trust Him on this.
2) FIGHT: God hates sin, and has called us to get rid of it in others.
What the evangelical approach seems to have been:
The Church’s Response – Not so Good
1) FLEE/ACCEPT: God loves us and He has no problem with our distorting His design. It’s ok to not trust Him on this.
2) FIGHT: God hates sin, and has called us to get rid of it in others.
What the evangelical approach seems to have been:
The Church’s Response – Not so Good
1) FLEE/ACCEPT: God loves us and He has no problem with our distorting His design. It’s ok to not trust Him on this.
2) FIGHT: God hates sin, and has called us to get rid of it in others.
What the evangelical approach seems to have been:
1 Peter 4:12
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
The Church’s Response –
1) FLEE/ACCEPT: God loves us and He has no problem with our distorting His design. It’s ok to not trust Him on this.
2) FIGHT: God hates sin, and has called us to get rid of it in others.
3) Lovingly Stand.
- compassion without compromise.
- truth, with tone and timing.
Matthew 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
The Church’s Response to….
The Church’s Response –
1) FLEE/ACCEPT: God loves us and He has no problem with our distorting His design. It’s ok to not trust Him on this.
2) FIGHT: God hates sin, and has called us to get rid of it in others.
3) Lovingly Stand.
- compassion without compromise.
- truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.
Lovingly Stand: Compassion without compromise.�truth, with tone and timing.