Ezra 4:17 Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time. Having received a letter from Rehum, the king answered him. Though the letter was based on lies, as we'll see, it would seem that the king at least attempted in some ways to verify its charges. Of course, his best course of action would have been to go to Jerusalem and see what was being done. If we have concerns about what is going on in the church today, our best course of action is to go and check out the source of our concern. The king wished them peace, especially at such a time. We as Christians should live at peace even in perilous times because we are already victorious spiritually.
Verse eighteen adds, The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me. The king said the letter had been read to him. Of course, this did not prove its validity. We may read lots of things today professing to be the truth, but we need to prayerfully seek God's guidance to know if it really is the truth.
Verse nineteen continues, And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein. The king said he searched the records of old and found out that the people of Israel had made insurrection against kings. Of course, he didn't seem to understand that when the people of Israel went against other rulers it was at the direction of God. We should not judge people today on what they as a nation may have done in the past. We as Christians should also look at how God was working in the world at that time. At times, God will lead His people to stand in opposition to a particular country and the rest of the world may condemn them for it.
Verse twenty states, There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them. As the king said, at times there were mighty kings in Jerusalem that ruled over other countries, but this was only when the people of Israel were obedient to God. If we want to be spiritually victorious in the world today, we must be obedient to God's will for our life.
Verse twenty-one adds, Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me. The king told Rehum to command the people of Israel to quit rebuilding Jerusalem, even though they had really not done much that they had been accused of. People may command us to quit doing certain works for God today, and the question then is will we quit or obey God.
Verse twenty-two continues, Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings? The king told Rehum to make sure he did this so that no damage would grow to the hurt of kings. He was concerned if Jerusalem was rebuilt that Israel would go to war with other countries. People of the world today often make false claims against Christians because they fear what would happen if we became too strong. Of course, we should always be reaching out to them with the love of Christ instead of trying to destroy them.
Verse twenty-three says, Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. Once Rehum and those with him got the letter from the king, they moved quickly against the people of Israel who were working on rebuilding the Temple. If given the authority to do so, people of the world will often act as quick as possible in an attempt to stop Christians from doing God's work.
Verse twenty-four adds, Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius, king of Persia. The work on the Temple stopped. If we are given the order to stop doing God's work today, will we stop until someone else tells us we can, or will we remain faithful to God?
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