Ezra 4:1-3
‘Now when the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people of the exile were building a temple to the LORD God of Israel, they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers’ households, and said to them, “Let us build with you, for like you, we seek your God; and we have been sacrificing to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us up here.” But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of fathers’ households of Israel said to them, “You have nothing in common with us in building a house to our God; but we ourselves will together build for the LORD God of Israel, just as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, has commanded us.”’
This is quite a situation. The Israelites are back in the land. Wonderful. However, bullies are there. They were put there possibly 70 years earlier so the jews would have second thoughts of returning. Someone was there that was hostile to them. I’m not sure if Nehimiah has built the wall yet. If not, they are vulnerable and exposed. We’ve already written about how the jews are terrified of the people of the land.
Zerrubabel didn’t fall for their trick. A simpleton might have. He may have thought, “This may be a good time to build a bridge and appease the people of the land. It would all be under the banner of witnessing to them. God is strong enough to protect us from them if their motives are nefarious.” Far from that. Zerrubabel responds strongly and tells them they have nothing in common with them. Personally that seems too strong. Why not say, “No thanks”, and move on. But then again I’m not good with bullies and those that behave deceptively. My mom used to say, “To the strong, respond strongly”. At my young age I tried this. They got mad. At the time I didn’t think it worked. I wasn’t supposed to care about their response. That was the end of them with me.
I appreciate the strong ones like Zerrubabel. I’m not in their league. I do know that God is my protector. I will have struggles and bullies. I try to use wisdom with them. I also know not to engage them. Avoid them.
Bullies can get in our heads. Don’t allow them. Call on God. Fear no evil. Philippians 4:6,7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” He’s our answer. He’s our protector. I feel I have bullies at work. I ignore them and go my way. It’s uncomfortable, but livable.
The Holy Spirit is our Comforter. He’s our defender. He’s God within us. Psalm 91:7 says, “A thousand may fall at your side And ten thousand at your right hand, But it shall not approach you.” Then we’ve got the testimony of the three Hebrew children when Nebuchadnezzar was enraged at them, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods nor worship the golden statue that you have set up”, (Daniel 3:17,18).
Thank You, God. You are so good to us. The world intends it for evil, but You’ve got us. Things often don’t go as we’ve planned, but You aren’t concerned. You’ve got us. Thank You, God.