Israel had returned to its land from captivity, and amidst the fear of the surrounding peoples, they rebuilt the foundation of the temple and celebrated loudly.  So loudly that their shouts could be heard far away.  And indeed, their enemies heard.

The first line of attack from the enemies was to offer to help the Israelites rebuild.  It seemed like a good offer, but it was with evil motives.  This was seen by when the people responded that the Israelites alone were the ones commissioned by King Cyrus to rebuild, the enemies increased harrassment.

“Then the people who were already in the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build.  They also bribed officials to act against them to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of King Cyrus of Percia and until the reign of King Darius of Persia” (Ezra 4:4-5).

What did the enemies of the people of God use?

• Promoting discouragement
• Causing fear
• Bribes
• Frustrating their plans

Is there anything new under the sun?  If that which is against God can cause discouragement, fear and frustration, people lose heart.  They lose strength for the battle.  And they stop fighting from emotional tiredness.

Cyrus was the Persian king who had initiated the order for Jerusalem to rebuilt.  As soon as he had passed away and a new king, Ahasuerus was King of Persia.  The enemies of God wrote to him and complained about the Israelites rebuilding, but no response is known.

For a brief time there was an imposter king whose name was Bardis but went by Artaxerxes.  Rehum, the chief deputy of the peoples of the land (a.k.a. – the enemies of God) wrote a letter and complained of the Israelites.   They attacked the character of the Israelites saying they were a rebellious and evil city, they made up what could happen that they wouldn’t pay taxes or honor the king of Babylon, and said they were a city with a long history of revolts.

Artaxerxes listened and sent a letter in reply, saying that what they had said appeared to be true.  So all work was to be stopped immediately.

“As soon as the text of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their colleagues, they immediately went to the Jews in Jerusalem and forcibly stopped them. 

Now the construction of God’s house in Jerusalem had stopped and remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia” (Ezra 4:24-5:1).

So little has changed.  Attack character, attack a possibility of what could happen, twist history and lies become truth and truth becomes lies.  And becaues of it the work of the Lord came to a standstill.

But God wasn’t finished yet.