Ezra 4:4-24 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,… I. THE TACTICS OF THE WICKED. If they cannot bend the good to their wishes and aims by plausible pretences, they alter their tactics and betake themselves to unscrupulous opposition in various forms. II. THE VENALITY OF THE WICKED. The Samaritans "hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purposes." It is reasonable to infer that these counsellors were men of some skill and resource and power of persuasion who deliberately exercised their abilities in an evil cause for gain. III. THE TEMPORARY TRIUMPH OF THE WICKED. IV. THE FREEDOM ALLOWED BY GOD TO THE WICKED. (William Jones.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, |
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