What other biblical examples show God's people facing discouragement from adversaries? Ezra 4:4—Opposition Then and Now “Then the people of the land set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to continue building.” (Ezra 4:4) God’s servants have met the same tactics throughout Scripture—intimidation, ridicule, and fear-mongering—yet each time the work of the Lord moved forward. Nehemiah’s Wall Under Mockery and Threats - “When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and mocked the Jews.” (Nehemiah 4:1) - “They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night against them.” (Nehemiah 4:8-9) Moses: Heavy-Handed Pharaoh and Discouraged Israel - “Make the work harder for the men so that they will keep working and pay no attention to lies.” (Exodus 5:9) - “Moses relayed this message to the Israelites, but on account of their broken spirit and cruel bondage, they did not listen to him.” (Exodus 6:9) David: Taunts on the Battlefield - “When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him.” (1 Samuel 17:28) - “So the Philistine said to David, ‘Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?’ ” (1 Samuel 17:43) Elijah: A Prophet on the Run - “Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like one of them.’ ” (1 Kings 19:2) - “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.” (1 Kings 19:3) Hezekiah: Assyrian Mockery at the City Wall - “On what are you basing this confidence of yours?” (2 Kings 18:19) - “Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the LORD.” (2 Kings 18:30) Daniel and His Friends: Imperial Decrees of Death - “If you do not worship, you will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” (Daniel 3:15) - “Anyone who prays to any god or man except you, O king, for the next thirty days shall be thrown into the lions’ den.” (Daniel 6:7) The Early Church: Ordered to be Silent - “They commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” (Acts 4:18) - “They called the apostles in and had them flogged… Yet every day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” (Acts 5:40-42) Paul: Pressed but Not Crushed - “We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you His gospel in spite of strong opposition.” (1 Thessalonians 2:2) - “We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) Threads That Tie It All Together • Adversaries aim for the heart—fear, fatigue, and self-doubt. • God’s people answer with prayer, truth, and steadfast obedience. • The LORD never fails to vindicate His purpose, whether through sudden deliverance (Hezekiah), quiet provision (Elijah), or persevering witness (early church). • Ezra 4:4 fits the pattern: opposition is real, yet “the Builder of all things is God.” (Hebrews 3:4) |
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