(4:1) Obstacles to Overcome - Believers can expect opposition when they do God's work (2 Timothy 3:12). Unbelievers and evil spiritual forces are always working against God and his people. The opposition may offer compromising alliances (Ezra 4:2), attempt to discourage and intimidate us (4:4-5), or accuse us unjustly (4:6). If you expect these tactics, you won't be hindered by them. Move ahead with the work God has planned for you, and trust him to show you how to overcome the obstacles.

(4:1-3) Partnerships with Unbelievers  - The enemies of Judah and Benjamin were people who had been relocated in the northern kingdom when Assyria had conquered Israel (see 2 Kings 17 and the note on Ezra 3:3). In an attempt to infiltrate and disrupt the project, these people offered to help with the rebuilding. They wanted to keep a close eye on what the Jews were doing. They were hoping to keep Jerusalem from becoming strong again. The Jews, however, saw through their ploy. Such a partnership with unbelievers would have led God's people to compromise their faith.

(4:2) True Worship - These enemies claimed to worship the same God as Zerubbabel and the rest of the Jews. In one sense, this was true; they did worship God, but they also worshiped many other gods (see 2 Kings 17:27-29.32-34.41). In God's eyes, this was not worship- it was sin and rebellion. True worship involves devotion to God alone (Exodus 20:3-5). To these foreigners, God was just another "idol" to be added to their collection. Their real motive was to disrupt the temple project. Believers today must beware of those who claim to be Christians but whose actions clearly reveal they are using Christianity to serve their own interests.

(4:4-5) Discouragement and Fear - Discouragement and fear are two of the greatest obstacles to completing God's work. Most often they come where and when you least expect them. Discouragement eats away at our motivation, and fear paralyzes us so we don't act at all. Recognize these common barriers. Remember that God's people in every age have faced these problems and with God's help have overcome them. By standing together with other believers, you can prevail over fear and discouragement and fulfill God's purposes for your life.

(4:6-23) Opposition in Building the Temple - In these verses, Ezra summarizes the entire story of the opposition to building the temple, the walls, and other important buildings in Jerusalem. Chronologically, 4:6 fits between Ezra 6 and Z; 4:7-23 refers to the events between Ezra Z and Nehemiah 1. Ezra grouped them here to highlight the persistent opposition toward God's people over the years and God's ability to overcome it.

(4:7) A Clay Tablet - This letter sent to King Artaxerxes may have been inscribed on a clay tablet, a fragment of pottery, or sheets of parchment.

(4:10) The Assyrian King - Asnapper, another name for Ashurbanipal (669-627 BC), was the Assyrian king who completed the relocation of the Israelite captives. He was the last of the strong Assyrian kings. After his death the nation quickly declined, and Assyria was conquered by Babylon in 612.

(4:19-20) Insurrection - Artaxerxes said that Jerusalem was associated with "insurrection" and "rebellion and sedition." By reading the historical records, he learned that mighty kings had come from Jerusalem, and he may have feared that another would arise if the city were rebuilt. Solomon had ruled a huge empire (Kings 4:21), and Jerusalem's kings had rebelled against mighty powers -Zedekiah, for example, had rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar despite his oath of loyalty (2 Chronicles 36:13). Artaxerxes did not want to aid the rebuilding of a rebellious city and nation.

(4:23) Discouragement - Setbacks and standstills can bring pain and discouragement to God's workers. These exiles had received a double dose (see 4:1-5 and 4:6-22). Leaders should do everything they can to keep work from grinding to a halt, yet circumstances sometimes really are beyond our control. When you have been brought to a standstill, remember to still stand strong in the Lord.

(4:24) A Timeline Clarification - Ezra resumes his chronological account here. Ten years may have passed since the Israelites had worked on the temple. The work did not begin again until 520 BC, the second year of Darius's reign (5:1-17).

 Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we Continue in the book of Ezra with Chapter 4 and we see the enemies oppose the rebuilding and King Artaxerxes stops the work. In making application we see how that the enemy will hinder out service toward the Lord. We face it every day as we attempt to connect people with Bibles. We learned as out text today to let the Lord fight out battles. The battle is the Lord's and we are to remain faithful. Although the delay was just a chapter in our text it was years in real life. The Lord works on His timetable and if we get discouraged we have a tendency to quit. We need to remember the Lord is in control and will defeat the enemy in His timing. Our job is to simply remain faithful. How about you? Are you facing a battle and get discouraged? Let us learn from our text today and nation of Israel who let the Lord fight their battles by remaining faithful to our Lord.