As often happens in life, what begins with good intentions and great expectations gets bogged down in the messiness of life. God’s people begin biblical worship anew in Jerusalem with joy and weeping, but as progress is made, opposition comes. In Ezra 4, inhabitants in the land offer their help to build and worship with Israel, but are met with a quick rebuff by Zerubbabel. Appearances of aid are deceptive, as the offer to help quickly morphs into fierce opposition that lasts fifty years. We too, live in a world where we must discern between inclusion and opposition.
Read Online: Ezra 4
