4 Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.[a]
As they rebuilt the temple they faced opposition and people trying to rally the more powerful people to participate actively in the opposition which ultimately delayed progress. In today's society it seems there is much opposition to Christians. There is a desire to get people with the biggest megaphones to express views against Christian beliefs and it is slowing progress.
I find it interesting because while i can understand there are those who do not yet believe in Jesus. What is it that motivates them to not only not believe themselves but be determined to attack those that do believe and prevent others from becoming believers? What is it about Christians that scares them? In Ezra the King was scared he'd lose his power, maybe there is a connection there.
knut
I was thinking along the same lines as I was reading it. There seems to be 3 things that trip me up. 1. The evil one conspiring against me, trying to tempt me into the negative.....2. My own stupidity. Believe me, this one is significant. 3. People around me trying to bring me down. I even see it in my work buddies. They are constantly trying to get me to go out with them to get loaded, or go to the "gentleman's club", or, or, or.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why this is a common tool used by the evil one. Probably because its really effective.
This chapter made me think about the movie 300......with king Xerxes!....too funny.