But Zerubbabel, Joshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, “You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us.”
Ezra 4:3 NIV
When God speaks a word or sets a divine plan in motion, it does not mean the journey will be smooth or opposition-free. On the contrary, the fulfilment of God’s promises often attracts resistance. Yet, as we see clearly in the book of Ezra, opposition never has the final word—God does.
The story begins in Ezra 1, where God stirred the heart of Cyrus, king of Persia, to allow the exiled Israelites to return and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Cyrus did not merely gave a casual approval; he gave detailed instructions, generous provisions, and royal authority for the project. The people responded with joy and eagerness, filled with hope and purpose.
However, hostility quickly followed the excitement. By Ezra 4, the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard about the temple’s reconstruction and began to oppose the work. Their tactics were subtle at first, offering help under the guise of shared worship: “Let us build with you, for we seek your God, as you do” (Ezra 4:2). But their true motives were far from innocent.
Recognising the Reality of Opposition
One of the earliest lessons in spiritual maturity is recognising that God’s people have enemies. These enemies—both spiritual and, at times, human—are not passive observers. They actively seek to derail God’s work and frustrate His purposes in our lives. Living carelessly or without spiritual vigilance leaves us vulnerable.
The leaders of Judah—Zerubbabel, Joshua, and others—were spiritually alert. They discerned the deception and replied firmly: “You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the Lord, the God of Israel” (Ezra 4:3). That statement was more than a rejection; it was a defence of purity and purpose. The enemies’ words had betrayed them—they said “your God,” not “our God.” Their hearts were not aligned with the God of Israel.
Not every offer of help comes from God. Sometimes, the enemy disguises himself as an ally, hoping to gain a foothold. Had the leaders accepted what only seemed like support, the enemy could have sabotaged the entire work from within.
In our own lives, we must be equally cautious. When God entrusts us with a task, it is our responsibility to guard it and complete it according to His will. We must resist any pressure to form partnerships that do not align with God’s purpose, no matter how helpful or appealing they may seem.