God's Work & Opposition- Ezra 4

Bobby Howell

Ezra • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

Ezra 4

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God's Work & Opposition- Ezra 4

If we are to engage in spiritual warfare must be aware of the devices of our opposition.

Light and darkness. Good and evil. God and Satan. These diametrically opposed concepts and beings provide for us a simple and concise description of the war unseen.

Since the fall of Satan, a time which appears to have occured in between Genesis chapters 2-3, spiritual warfare has been raging. Satan, opposed to all that is holy and good, fights and rebels against God at every opportunity. This war, unfortunately for you and I, involves us as well.

One of the greatest tragedies in the church is a failure to be active in this spiritual war. The Scriptures that Soren read for us this morning demonstrate the dangers associated with following the Lord Jesus. Peter gives us a graphic picture of a lion roaring about. He is not a little man in red tights with a pointy pitchfork. He is the greatest enemy of our souls and of any other created being.

The devil has opposed God since his fall, and we see this throughout Scripture. While there are many passages to which we could turn our attention, we are in the book of Ezra, so we will simply address the enemy’s opposition displayed here in chapter 4.

We examined chapter 3 last week observing the restoration of worship. That is, the worship that God required as found in His Word, specifically in the books of Moses. However, in the midst of this construction project and ornate celebration in sacrifices to the LORD, we read that the people engaged in all of this “despite their fear of the peoples around them” (3:3). It is this feared group of people to which we now turn our attention.

I. The Scheme of Similarities- 4:1-3

Playing off of Paul’s statement in 2 Cor. 2:10-11, we will look at this passage as various schemes of the enemy. The word that Paul uses there involves the mind. We could easily use the word design or plot. It reminds me of a description of Professor James Moriarty. Sherlock Holmes describes him like this to John Watson, “He sits motionless, like a spider in the centre of its web, but that web has a thousand radiations, and he knows well every quiver of each of them. He does little himself. He only plans.”

Unlike the fictional Moriarty, our enemy is active and at work, and we see in his first scheme the scheme of similarities. By similarities I mean those things that are in common. To put it in a modern setting, it means finding the common ground. Now, this is helpful and needed in many relationships, but not in our relationship to God. There are two ways that the enemy employs this particular scheme in verses 1-3: worship and experience.

A. Similarities in Worship- 3:1-2

The enemy is crafty, and through this scheme he seeks to find connection through their similar worship. These adversaries were not lying, they did in fact worship the LORD. We read about this in 2 Kings 17:24-33. The king of Assyria conquered the northern tribes (referred to as Israel) into captivity and switched people out from other lands. At first, they did not fear the LORD (17:25), and the LORD sent lions throughout the land. After learning about the LORD, “They also feared the LORD...” (17:32). They sacrificed to the LORD (17:32).

But that is only part of the story. In fact, the Chronicler records “They feared the LORD but also served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.” (17:33) They were not lying, but they were not telling the whole truth, either.

They were attempting to use their similarities in worship to deceive the people constructing the Temple. The enemy uses this scheme quite effectively. Today the term for this is ecumenical. Applying to the church today, Rolland McCune writes,

“Ecumenical’ means world wide, and in professing Christian circles refers to the visible unity that certain churches, denominations, and religious endeavors seek to maintain.”—Rolland McCune, 65

“We worship the same god!” people cry. Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses are two groups that would claim this. They use similar Scripture (in fact, Mormons use the KJV), and they use very similar language. But they do not worship the God as we understand the Scriptures reveal Him to be. For example, in Doctrines and Covenants, Joseph Smith states “The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s.” (D&C, 130:22)

While that is a significant example, we also see these type of arguments to unite with people who worship the same God by in the incorrect manner. Now, we need to maintain humility here, and I am not wanting to come across as a know it all. In addition, just because an individual is in one of these groups does not mean they are insidious and hateful people. In most cases, I would argue that they are blinded to the truth and deceived by the devil.

Similarity in worship is a dangerous scheme of our enemy, as represented here in these people. While not using the Scriptures like the Pharisees, in a judgmental and condemning way, we also do not forsake the Scriptures to unite with people who worship in a similar way.

B. Similarities in Experience

This dangerous scheme can also be subtle. “Like you...” we have been brought into this land unwillingly. We know where you are coming from. There are several ways that our enemy employs this tactic.

First, have you ever heard someone say, “The Lord told me...”? Or, “I feel like...” Or “That passage means this to me...” We need to be extremely cautious when we hear phrases like these, because Scripture has ceased. This is not represented here in Ezra, but we do see this in the account of the prophet from Judah in 1 Kings chapter 13. In that account, the prophet is given clear commands by God. He follows them until he meets an older prophet who claims that the LORD told him that he could eat with him (a contrary statement than the one given to prophet by God). Ultimately, the prophet is killed by a lion because he “defied the word of the LORD.” (13:21)

In this account of Ezra, we see experience related to their life situations. The people of Israel and these other nations were both scattered and placed in foreign lands. They knew what it was like to experience that homesickness, culture shock, and the unknown. The enemy likes us to find similarities in experience, because we can let our guard down against his attacks. I find a similar account in the book of Acts, chapter 8:9-25.

Experience, though uniting us to some degree, should never cause us to set aside the truthfulness of God’s Word. The people of God refuse the help, claiming that this was their work alone as commissioned by King Cyrus.

II. The Scheme of Discouragement- 4:4-5

The enemy engages in a second scheme, the scheme of discouragement. If he cannot subvert the work through similarities, he moves on to discouragement. This scheme affects us all at one point or another. We try to serve the LORD and our own sins seem to stifle us at every turn. Or we do not feel saved, or feel like we are growing. We remember the glory days gone by and we feel depressed at what our church has become. How does the enemy use this tactic? In two ways:

A. Discouragement through harsh words- Neh. 4:1-3

Taking place during a close time, Nehemiah, who is working on the walls around the city of Jerusalem, experiences this discouragement. They “ridiculed the Jews,” stating “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day?”

Their mockery was discouraging, as all mockery unchecked can be. The book of Proverbs speaks much about the power of words, and Scripture provides ample evidence of its negative affect on humanity (for example, see Gen. 16:6, 1 Sam. 1:7, and 2 Tim. 4:15).

An unkind word from a spouse, the bitter remark from a friend, the unrealistic expectations of parents, all of these are tools in the hands of the devil to grow discouragement. It is not surprising, then, that in the NT we see ample commands to use grace-filled language (Eph. 4:29-2, 5:18-20).

Be on guard, then, first against your own proclivities to discouraging others through harsh words. But be on equal guard against the discouragement by our enemy. He is the accuser, ready to bring up all of our failures. But Jesus is our Defense Attorney, and to every charge of sin Jesus replies “It is paid in full!”

The enemy, though, is never satisfied with words when they fail, and he moves to action through thwarting their plans.

B. Discouragement through thwarted plans

Since the enemy failed at confusing the work through his scheme of similarities, and because discouraging words fell short as well, he moves on to physical prevention. These individuals “bribed officials” to work agains the people of Israel. Their offer to help, it seems, was not as genuine as may have appeared at first.

The enemy loves to thwart God’s plans. Again, we could see this on almost every page of Scripture. We will simply focus on one from Paul’s experience in 1 Thess. 2:18, “For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did\, again and again—but Satan blocked our way.” The accuser, and our enemies, seek to thwart God’s plans, and bribery and murder and all sorts of sins are not out of the question.

How many of us, having decided to get into the habit of reading the Bible, been met with foiled plans? We try to wake up a little earlier, and the alarm clock does not go off. Or, we have a sleepless night. How many church activities have we planned and prayed about and yet faced issues with the lighting or sound?

That can be discouraging, and the people of Israel faced discouragement through words and failed plans. This leads to the third scheme, the scheme of accusation.

III. The Scheme of Accusation- 4:6-22

Before we move on, it might be a good idea to remind you that this is not a play book of the devil. In other words, he does not necessarily follow these steps every time. In other words, this is not a step-by-step guide to his schemes.

But to return to our present chapter, we see next the scheme of accusation. What happens here is unique to the biblical account. Rather than following a strict, chronology, as many of our biographies and history books do, the author of this book is more concerned with theology. Thus, his work does not follow a strict timeline.

You can see this in the different genealogies of the Bible. They are not exact, but purposeful. Likewise, the events that are discussed in this section are not chronological nor exhaustive. In fact, it refers to two future events that take place during Nehemiah’s work of rebuilding the walls. It seems likely that the author of this book placed it here to justify the refusal of help.

Ultimately, an accusation is made. From this scheme we learn much about the enemy, in particular, how the enemy utilizes accusations.

A. Accused for Past Sins- 4:14-16

Israel had, under the just hand of God, been sent into exile. God warned Israel again and again, and Israel ignored God. Several passages are important in relation to these records sough by Rehum and others: 2 Chron. 36; Jer. 52; and 2 Kings 18-19. Israel had been subdued, and yet the still rebelled.

Their past sins, in other words, formed the basis of Rehum and others’ arguments against allowing Jerusalem to be reconstructed. Accusations are often based on historical realities, and our enemies know us well.

Consider this statement from Revelation 12:10, “…For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.” In other words, prior to the work of Messiah Jesus, the accuser accused us before God Almighty.

Think about the former drunk. When will the church allow him to be a member? How long will it be before the community sees him as a Christian, and not a drunkard?

Think about the apostle Paul. The man imprisoned people and even killed people for being Christian. Paul knew this, as he acknowledged to the Galatian church (Gal. 1:13). I would imagine those thoughts haunted him for the rest of his life. I can imagine every one he led to the LORD reminded him of a young woman or older man whom he imprisoned.

Think about your own life and struggles with sin. How often do those thoughts creep into your minds? What is amazing is that the work of Messiah Jesus has demolished the accuser’s power. That is the glory of Ephesians 2:8-9!

B. Applied to Present Situation- 4:16

It is based on their previous sins that Rehum and company apply it to the present situation. In other words, because they have rebelled in the past, they will rebel now! They exaggerate, of course, as our enemy often does, which we will address momentarily. However, one thing that we must consider is that the idea that our past sins indicate a failure to change. A drunk will always be a drunk, in other words.

People do not change, some believe, and it is based on past sins. But is this biblical? In other words, what does God’s Word bear upon this subject? When an individual is genuinely saved (i.e., converted), they are no longer the same. They are, in the words of the apostle Paul, “new creations,” (2 Cor. 5:17). Based on the person and work of Jesus, we are no longer condemned for past sins. Paul tells us, “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Rom. 8:33-34)

The enemy accuses, and brings up past sins to present situations. In this particular case, it affected the work of the Temple, as we learn from the end of the chapter. But accusations of past sins have present consequences. But I mentioned the exaggeration brought by the enemy.

C. Accusations are often exaggerated- 4:16

Now, I want you to consider the current station of the Jewish people. The only reason they are at Jerusalem, reconstructing the temple, is because God worked in the heart of Cyrus and gave them favor in the sight of the people.

In other words, they are not a threat. Yet, the accusers state, “We inform the king that if this city is built and its walls are restored, you will be left with nothing in Trans-Euphrates.” How is this even possible? But is this not one of the greatest schemes of the devil?

Let me offer a few illustrations. You receive news that you need to go back to the doctor for a follow-up test. What happens? You immediately begin thinking the worse possibilities. In other words, you mind exaggerates. Or, someone at church says something to you that, on all fronts, is innocent. Yet, you begin overthinking the matter, you exaggerate the tone, the message, or the body language. Or, a particular law goes into effect, and you immediately because distraught because the country is ruined. We could offer many more examples, but this demonstrates how the accuser uses exaggerations to keep us from serving the LORD (i.e., doing His work).

What is the antidote to this scheme? A biblical view of God and life. You need to meditate on the truths of Isaiah 26:3-4. But we move on to the last scheme in this chapter (though certainly not the last scheme in the playbook of the enemy).

IV. The Scheme of Force- 4:17-24

The king receives the letter, performs the search, and concludes that Rehum and his company are right and that the work must cease. Even in this scheme we are given much to consider.

A. This Scheme often uses God-ordained Government in Sinful Manners

Rehum and these other individuals went through the avenues of government. This is an important lesson for us, for too often Christians think anything the government says is something against which they can rebel. That is not the case.

Romans 13:1-7 demonstrates the need for the believer to obey the government. Why? Because God ordained that government to be a rewarder of good and a punisher of evil. A failure to submit to the government, as Paul argues, is a failure to submit to God.

But this in no way implies, nor does Paul insinuate, that the government is without flaw. Scripture and history attest to the fact that governments have committed great atrocities. What we learn from this passage in particular, and the greater framework of Scripture and history, is that God-ordained government often acts in sinful manners. The government of Artaxerxes forces the Jewish people to stop the work.

The enemy often uses the government to enforce his desires upon humanity.

B. This Scheme does not always Involve Death

This is a good thing, but it does not make the situation more enjoyable or easy. Though this scheme can involve death, it does not always do so. In this case, the leaders “compelled them by force to stop.”

Again, the framework of Scripture and history attest to this fact. Today, litigation is often a tool of force that is used to slow or stop the work of God. In some cases this may be harder to deal with (loss of job, of prestige, etc.).

C. This Scheme seems to Succeed

The last thing we observe in this sermon and in this chapter is that this scheme seems to succeed. The author records, “Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill.” But that is not where the sentence ends. He continues, “until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.”

It does appear that at times the work of God ceases. It seems that the enemy wins, his schemes are successful. I mentioned James Moriarty, the archenemy of Sherlock Holmes. Throughout that story, Sherlock is constantly recognizing the intellectual powers of the former professor. The story ends with Moriarty and Holmes plunging over the cliffs of the falls of Reichenbach, Holmes successively ending Moriarty’s criminal career, though at great personal cost. In other words, the battle waged was between two equally gifted men.

This is where the analogy to our enemy ends, however. Though Satan and his minions would put the fictional Moriarty to shame, they are not the equals of our God. He is infinitely greater. So great, in fact, that at the moment of the enemy’s greatest “success,” the crucifixion of Jesus, Jesus “made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Col. 2:15)

Do not be unaware of the devil’s schemes. We get a glimpse into a few of them in Ezra chapter four. But as Scripture teaches, and which we will examine next week (Lord willing), God always wins.

The question is, “What scheme is the enemy using against you?” It may be one we examined this morning, it may be another. Love the Lord, meditate on His Word, and you will be able to resist that enemy of our Savior and souls.

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