October 2
2013
Delay Does Not Mean Denial
“Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the House of God which is in Jerusalem.
Then the heads of the fathers’ houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.
Ezra 1:2-6
King Cyrus was moved by God to declare the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. He declared it to be built, released the people of God to go and build and encouraged those around them to support the building.
And so the people went. They restored worship at Jerusalem and then began to rebuild the temple. When the foundation was laid they stopped and worshipped the Lord once again.
“And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord: For He is good, for His mercy endures forever toward Israel.” Ezra 3:11
As we often see when God’s people are doing God’s work, resistance arises. In the day of Ezra it was no different.
“Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, and hired 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 4:4-5
So even though the king had declared the temple was to be rebuilt and commissioned the people of God to do so and the people around them to support this building project, the “people in the land” troubled them, discouraged them and actively moved against them.
At this point when nothing else worked the people of the land wrote to the new king.
“Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem, and are building the rebellious and evil city, and are finishing its walls and repairing the foundations.” Ezra 4:12
Now, to me that seems a bit risky. As the orders came from the king originally, to write and question the king’s decision seems a bit bold. But here is where it gets interesting. Based on this letter the king goes back into the archives, decides that this city rebelled against kings in former times and that perhaps the “building project” wasn’t a wise move. And the King replies to the people:
“Now give command to make these men cease, that this city may not be built until the command is given by me.” Ezra 4:22
“They went up in haste to Jerusalem against the Jews, and by force of arms made them cease. Thus the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem ceased, and it was discontinued until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.” Ezra 4:23-24
I can only imagine what the people of God were thinking. Not only were they stopped from continuing the text gives the impression that damage was done “by force” to that which was already completed. How could this be? God had called them through the King – they were to go and be supported by those around them. They had been obedient – restored worship – laid the foundation and continued to build through opposition and trouble. And now this? Their work was stopped and some of it destroyed. And for a time the people were forced to wait……..and wait……and wait.
How discouraged they must have been. I imagine they questioned the Lord. Did we hear right? Were we doing what we were really called to be doing? Why the stoppage? What went wrong?
But sometimes, as God’s people, we are just called to wait. The Lord’s timing is the perfect timing. But it isn’t always easy for us to understand.
But God……..
“Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. So Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God which in in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them, helping them.” Ezra 5:1-2
And so the building continued. And as before there was resistance and again, letters sent to the king. But this time, the response from the king was favourable:
“Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God on its site. Moreover I issue a decree as to what you shall do for the elders of these Jews, for the building of the this house of God; let the cost be paid at the king’s expense from taxes on the region beyond the River; this is to be given immediately to these men so they are not hindered. And whatever they need…let it be given them day by day without fail…” Ezra 6:7-10
God’s time, God’s way, God’s blessing. Not only were the “troublers” to stop making trouble, they were to support the work of the Lord “immediately” by penalty of death.
“And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel….” Ezra 6:14
And so the work of the Lord was completed. There was delay and no doubt discouragement and questioning, BUT GOD………
Delay does not mean denial.
Delay means waiting patiently on the Lord and blessing Him in the meantime.
Are you in a season of delay? Don’t be discouraged……lift up your voice and hands and worship the King of Kings whose has a better and more timely plan!