Passage Read: Ezra 2-5
Meditation Verses: 5:1-2
Thought
There was no new decree issued in favor of the rebuilding of the temple. The governor and foreign peoples living in the land were bitter at the rejection of their offer to help rebuild the temple, and they harassed the Jews, lied about what they were doing and forced them to stop rebuilding the temple. But the decree from Cyrus remained. They were stopped from rebuilding against the command of Cyrus. But the Jews didn't appeal the decision or refer to Cyrus' decree so that they could finish the temple. Instead, it seems they gave up too easily. It's almost as if they were content just to take care of themselves and their own things. And that's exactly why Haggai and Zechariah rebuked them.
Application
Obeying God and obeying civil authorities is often ridiculed by people who care nothing for uprightness and integrity. Indeed, our own flesh would prefer to do whatever we think is good and right. Obedience is often inconvenient and many times even unpleasant. I could accomplish more for myself and my own prosperity if I could overlook some rules and regulations. But God hates rebellion in all its forms, both big and small. And as the Jews found out, even though justifying their laziness or the redirection of their efforts to their own interests, God can curse their efforts as easily as bless them. The leaders should have appealed the decision rather than giving up and focusing on their own things. I need to recognize that doing God's will likely will be opposed, and my flesh will be happy to accept defeat, to give me good reason just to do what is acceptable to all men and most pleasing to my flesh. God's work is most important. I need to seek first His kingdom and righteousness, trusting that He'll add to me everything else I need to live. I need to be careful not to be so easily discouraged from doing God's work.