The Eyes of the Lord
Post 4 of 10 | Exploring Ezra: Return, Rebuild, Restore
Sixteen years passed between Ezra 4 and Ezra 5.
The enemy was successful in delaying the construction, but not in stopping it. What God sets in motion no man can stop. God prophetically set in motion the reconstruction of the city and all things work on His time.
In those sixteen years the people had gone on about their lives and begun building their own homes. Haggai refers to these houses as paneled likely as reference to their comfort. Their priorities had quietly shifted from rebuilding the temple, which sat unfinished, to tending to their own. The prophet Haggai confronted them directly when he attributes to them saying, “Now is not a good time.” This had become the operating posture of God’s people (Haggai 1:1-4).
The cares of this world have a way of crowding out the things of God, and it doesn’t happen overnight. It slowly happens, one seemingly reasonable decision at a time over sixteen-year increments of compromise. The sound of compromise sounds like this: “The temple can’t be built right now, I’ll work on my house.” “God wants my focus at home.” “Someone else can do it.” Haggai’s charge to “consider your ways” appears five times. God was not subtle about it.
So, God sent Haggai and Zechariah with words of edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3). Note that He didn’t send the prophet with a sledgehammer of condemnation but a call to return to Him. They helped the people by speaking God’s word into the situation, and in verse 12 they obeyed. The result? “I am with you” (Haggai 1:13). When God is with you that is the promise that moves mountains.
With the assurance God is with them they stepped back into the work, and the opposition returned right on schedule (Ezra 5:3). However, this time verse 5 stops everything: “the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, and they could not make them cease.” The same opposition that stopped the work in chapter 4 cannot stop it now. Why? The difference is not the opposition but courage found in obedience. This type of strength and courage comes when you operate in the assurances of the Word of God.
They kept working in faith while they waited for the response, and that is the picture of sustained faithfulness.
The Jews identified themselves to their accusers as “servants of the God of heaven and earth.” That is who they were, and that is who you are. We are servants assured that the Master and Creator of all existence says He is with you. The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He wants to rob you of this truth and discourage you from the promises of God, but the eye of God does not blink (John 10:10). If God is for you, who can be against you?
The God of heaven became flesh and dwelt among us. He is no longer only in heaven. He is in you, and He is ready to show Himself strong on your behalf (John 14:17). The relationship we have is far greater than theirs.
Consider your ways. Return to Him. Keep building.
"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." — 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJV)
Exploring Ezra: Return, Rebuild, Restore is a ten-lesson printed study guide through all ten chapters of the book of Ezra with free teaching notes for leaders to help facilitate the study. Available now at preparedheart.org.