The View from the Top
“The best views come after the hardest climb.”
Most experienced hikers would echo a hearty “amen” to that statement. They prepare and pack the necessary gear, condition their bodies, and educate themselves on the trails. The big day arrives, and one foot in front of the other, steps toward the summit begin.
There will be challenges, fatigue, and tests of stamina. But knowing there’s a spectacular view waiting at the top for the hikers who persevere provides ample motivation to push through whatever obstacles might stand in their way.
Those same hikers will also tell you there are plenty of happy surprises and unexpected discoveries to delight in and enjoy along the way.
From start to finish and at every point in between, the hike is worth the work.
I guess all of this makes me an armchair adventurer. But I’m not traipsing up mountain trails. I’m traversing verses of Scripture and keeping my eyes open for discovery, understanding, and wonder along the way. Like those hikers pursuing the view, I’m in pursuit of truth and enlightenment about God and His ways.
Ezra 4 has been my most recent “conquest.” Gear up, and come along to see what I’ve found there…
Here’s the story. The enemies of God aren’t at all happy to see exiles from Babylon returning to their homeland and the city of Jerusalem. What’s more, the exiles are rebuilding the city and the Temple of God. In an effort to infiltrate Jerusalem and keep a close eye on what the Jews are doing, the pagan officials offer to “help” with the construction. Their offer is soundly rejected. The Jewish officials refuse to involve ungodly men in the rebuilding of the Temple of their holy God.
Spurned by this refusal, the pagans write a malicious letter to King Artaxerxes, alerting him to the work going on in Jerusalem. They remind the king that the city was known for wickedness and rebellion in the past. Allowing the Jews to continue the repairs will threaten both the strategic and financial stability of the region.
When King Artaxerxes receives their letter, he researches the history of Jerusalem, concluding that it’s a troublesome city. He determines that the rebuilding is “a detriment to royal interests” and orders the work to stop immediately.
The pagan officials waste no time in notifying the Jews of the king’s decision and “compel them by force” to cease their restoration efforts. For 16 years, the city of Jerusalem sits frozen in time – “until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia” (Ezra 4:24).
Did you find the same treasures I did as I read this story?
My first takeaway…
Rebuilding a city and a Temple for the Lord were enormous tasks, but God’s people wisely rejected the offer of help from the ungodly people living in the area. When we need help, our first go-to should be to the Lord, asking Him for the wisdom to know whether to invite anyone into our situation and if so, to know exactly who those people should be. We must vet them according to God’s direction and leading. Working alone is better than working alongside unprincipled, untrustworthy men and women. Don’t settle, and don’t compromise. God will send the right people to help you accomplish what He gives you to do if you’ll look to Him for help.
Second takeaway…
Like the Jewish exiles in this story, we have an active enemy in the world who comes to “steal, kill, and destroy.” Keeping this in mind will help us to prepare for the opposition we’ll face as we live for and build God’s kingdom. We can expect to see God’s character, people, and mission maligned, and we can respond accordingly. Scripture reminds us that God is all-powerful, we are His children, and we can trust that we have His favor, power, guidance, protection, and help to get the work done. Knit together as the family of believers, we have the support we need to fulfill God’s purposes despite opposition.
Finally, we approach the summit of this journey through Ezra 4…
One little word is the diamond worth mining for, and it’s that word “until.” The work of the Jews wasn’t stopped forever. It was stopped until. The Bible says the work came to a standstill. In those times when you’re certain of God’s purposes but see nothing moving you in that direction, don’t desert the hope and task you’ve been given. Resist the enemy’s attempt to cause you to abandon what God has clearly called you to do, and trust His timing until you see progress and activity again. Your spiritual enemies won’t go down without a fight. Suit up in the armor of God, and trust in His might, power, and timing. The battle belongs to the Lord, and if you fast-forward to the last page of the Bible, you’ll see how it all turns out – He wins! And that view is worth the journey!
