Ezra 4

 When the Assyrians had destroyed the northern Kingdom of Israel and dispersed all her people, they resettled other peoples there. These peoples worshipped other gods alongside of Yahweh who they did not consider the one supreme god but the god of the land in which they lived. These people offered to help Zerubbabel to help the Jews rebuild the temple. Zerubbabel must have known of their idolatry which he knew was dishonoring to the Lord. He was right to reject their help because, as the ensuing events show, their motives were impure and they bore ill will toward the Jews.

The persistent opposition of the enemies of the Jews continued for several years and resulted in the halting of the work on the Temple. The incidents related here regarding Ahasuerus took place many years later but are mentioned here because this later incident shows the persistent and continued antagonism of the Lord’s enemies that lasted for years as well as the faithfulness of God in giving the Jews victory over them. 

In our own day, we must be wary of those who seem to support Christianity. Many in the political realm do this to gain support for their personal and often ungodly agenda. They have no intention of giving glory to God. Then too we must be wary of those who blatantly stand opposed to the Christian faith. Though at times their efforts seem to succeed, this is only temporarily. Though Christians are persecuted and killed, the Lord will carry out justice upon all those who oppose His will and hurt His loved ones.