When the people already living in the land saw the temple being built, they initially offered to help. They claimed to be fellow worshippers. Verse 1 however describes them as enemies. The leaders of Israel rejected their offer. They saw that the people of the land had no part with God. They would build a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, and they would do it alone. They would do it in accordance with the command of the King. They would do it in obedience to the Lord. Worshipping God was an absolute matter to the people; it was not open to compromise with the enemies of God.

When the people of the land were denied, they lodged a formal complaint about the people of Israel to the king. Cyrus was no longer the ruler, and Artaxerxes was now king. The people of the land accused the Israelites of being a seditious people, refusing to pay taxes and having a history of revolt. As a result, King Artaxerxes perceived the people of Israel as a threat, and he gave permission to the enemies of Israel to compel the work to stop by force. So, the temple building was brought to a halt.


Application: Lord, help me to depend on you in times of opposition. Bless me not to compromise with the world, but worship and obey you.
One Word: Worship without compromise