Then the people of the land set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to build. Then the people of the landThis phrase refers to the inhabitants of the region surrounding Judah, primarily the Samaritans and other groups who had settled in the area during the Jewish exile. Historically, these people were a mix of various ethnicities brought in by the Assyrian Empire to repopulate the land after the Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered. Their presence and opposition highlight the ongoing tension between the returning exiles and those who had established themselves in the land during the Jews' absence. This tension is a recurring theme in the post-exilic period, emphasizing the challenges faced by the Jewish community in re-establishing their identity and religious practices. set out to discourage
The Hebrew root for "discourage" is "רָפָה" (raphah), which can mean to weaken or to cause to lose heart. This action was a deliberate attempt to undermine the morale and determination of the Jewish people. In a spiritual sense, this reflects the broader theme of opposition that God's people often face when undertaking His work. The discouragement was not just physical but also psychological, aiming to sow doubt and fear, which are powerful tools of the enemy to halt progress and obedience to God's commands. the people of Judah
This phrase identifies the returning exiles, the remnant of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, who had been in Babylonian captivity. Their return to Jerusalem was a fulfillment of God's promise and a significant moment in redemptive history. The people of Judah were tasked with rebuilding the temple, a symbol of God's presence and covenant with His people. Their identity as the people of Judah underscores their connection to the Davidic line and the promises associated with it, including the coming of the Messiah. and make them afraid
Fear is a common tactic used by adversaries to prevent the fulfillment of God's plans. The Hebrew word for "afraid" is "בָּהַל" (bahal), which conveys a sense of terror or panic. This fear was intended to paralyze the people of Judah, stopping them from rebuilding the temple. In a broader spiritual context, fear is often used by the enemy to deter believers from pursuing God's will. However, Scripture repeatedly encourages God's people to be strong and courageous, trusting in His protection and provision. to build
The act of building here specifically refers to the reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem. This was not merely a physical construction project but a spiritual endeavor to restore worship and the centrality of God in the life of the Jewish community. The temple represented God's dwelling place among His people and was essential for the restoration of proper worship and religious practices. The opposition to this building project highlights the spiritual warfare involved in advancing God's kingdom and the need for perseverance and faithfulness in the face of adversity. Persons / Places / Events 1. People of the LandThese were the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin, likely the Samaritans and other groups who had settled in the region during the Babylonian exile. They opposed the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. 2. People of JudahThe returning exiles who were tasked with rebuilding the temple. They faced opposition and discouragement from the surrounding peoples. 3. Rebuilding of the TempleThis was the central event around which the opposition arose. The temple's reconstruction was crucial for the restoration of Jewish worship and identity. Teaching Points The Reality of OppositionBelievers should expect opposition when undertaking God's work. Just as the people of Judah faced discouragement, Christians today may encounter resistance in their spiritual endeavors. Discouragement as a Tool of the EnemyDiscouragement is a common tactic used by adversaries to halt progress. Recognizing this can help believers remain steadfast and focused on God's promises. Courage in the Face of FearThe people of Judah were made afraid, yet the call to rebuild was from God. Christians are encouraged to find courage in God's calling and promises, trusting that He will provide strength. Community Support and PrayerFacing opposition is easier when believers support one another through prayer and encouragement. The community of faith plays a vital role in overcoming discouragement. Faithfulness to God's MissionDespite opposition, the mission remains. Believers are called to remain faithful to God's work, trusting that He will bring it to completion. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some modern-day examples of "people of the land" who might discourage believers from fulfilling God's work? 2. How can the experiences of the people of Judah in Ezra 4:4 inform our response to spiritual opposition today? 3. In what ways can the church community help individuals who are facing discouragement in their spiritual journey? 4. How does understanding the original Hebrew word for "discourage" (raphah) deepen our insight into the tactics used by the adversaries? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced opposition in your faith journey. How did you overcome it, and what scriptures were particularly encouraging to you? Connections to Other Scriptures Nehemiah 4This chapter also deals with opposition to rebuilding efforts, specifically the walls of Jerusalem. It highlights similar tactics of discouragement and fear used by adversaries. 1 Peter 5:8-9These verses remind believers to be vigilant against the adversary, the devil, who seeks to instill fear and discourage faithfulness. Philippians 1:28This passage encourages believers not to be frightened by opponents, which is a sign of their destruction but of salvation for the faithful. People Ahasuerus, Apharesattechites, Apharesites, Apharsathchites, Apharsites, Archevites, Artaxerxes, Asnapper, Babylonians, Benjamin, Bishlam, Cyrus, Darius, Dehaites, Dehavites, Dehites, Dianites, Dinaites, Dinites, Elamites, Esarhaddon, Jeshua, Mithredath, Persians, Rehum, Shimshai, Shushanchites, Tabeel, Tarpelites, ZerubbabelPlaces Assyria, Beyond the River, Erech, Jerusalem, Persia, Samaria, SusaTopics Afraid, Build, Building, Discourage, Discouraged, Fear, Feeble, Frightened, Hands, Harried, Judah, Making, Pass, Troubled, Troubling, WeakenedDictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 4:4 8713 discouragement
8754 fear
8796 persecution, forms of Ezra 4:1-5 7560 Samaritans, the Ezra 4:1-8 7515 anti-semitism Ezra 4:4-5 5917 plans
8787 opposition, to God Ezra 4:4-6 7240 Jerusalem, history
8728 enemies, of Israel and Judah Library Building in Troublous Times
'Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of Israel; 2. Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto Him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither. 3. But Zerubbabel, and Joshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Original Text and Its History.
1. The original language of the Old Testament is Hebrew, with the exception of certain portions of Ezra and Daniel and a single verse of Jeremiah, (Ezra 4:8-6:18; 7:12-26; Dan. 2:4, from the middle of the verse to end of chap. 7; Jer. 10:11,) which are written in the cognate Chaldee language. The Hebrew belongs to a stock of related languages commonly called Shemitic, because spoken mainly by the descendants of Shem. Its main divisions are: (1,) the Arabic, having its original seat in the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
The Median wars--The last native dynasties of Egypt--The Eastern world on the eve of the Macedonian conquest. [Drawn by Boudier, from one of the sarcophagi of Sidon, now in the Museum of St. Irene. The vignette, which is by Faucher-Gudin, represents the sitting cyno-cephalus of Nectanebo I., now in the Egyptian Museum at the Vatican.] Darius appears to have formed this project of conquest immediately after his first victories, when his initial attempts to institute satrapies had taught him not …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9 A Reformer's Schooling
'The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, 2. That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3. And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Ninth Commandment
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.' Exod 20: 16. THE tongue which at first was made to be an organ of God's praise, is now become an instrument of unrighteousness. This commandment binds the tongue to its good behaviour. God has set two natural fences to keep in the tongue, the teeth and lips; and this commandment is a third fence set about it, that it should not break forth into evil. It has a prohibitory and a mandatory part: the first is set down in plain words, the other …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ezra 4:4 NIVEzra 4:4 NLTEzra 4:4 ESVEzra 4:4 NASBEzra 4:4 KJV
Ezra 4:4 Commentaries
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