Preschool
Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. Amos 4:12
Worldly Opposition
Memory Verses
Primary
Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. Amos 4:12
Junior
Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. Amos 4:12
Background Scripture: Ezra 4
Lesson Scripture: Ezra 4:11-23
Introduction
The temple at Jerusalem the Jews were endeavoring to build was designed to be the dwelling place of God even though it was constructed of earthly materials. God is pleased to dwell in our mortal bodies, made from the dust of the earth. He created provision for life to be sustained by the fruit of the earth. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16).
The opposition we face in the world today is not from the inert earthly elements but comes from Satan’s kingdom, which is anti-God and pro-self. Satan’s opposition is focused on destroying the building of God within the soul.
Key Verse
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph. 6:12).
Lesson Scripture
Ezra 4:11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.
12 Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations.
13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.
14 Now because we have maintenance from the king’s palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king’s dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;
15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.
16 We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.
17 Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.
18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
19 And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
21 Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.
22 Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
Studying the Lesson
The children of Judah and Benjamin, being released from captivity, were sent back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. This was a group of nearly fifty thousand people, and they set about the task with enthusiasm. However, they were soon approached by people of other nations who proclaimed that they too worshipped God and wanted to help in the rebuilding of the temple. They refused the help of other nations, and this reluctance to let them help soon proved right—these people’s intention was not really to help but to hinder. Perhaps these returning Jews remembered the ill-fated league that Joshua had made with the Gibeonites or of the time when King Saul had offered young David his armor, and he refused it, because David wanted God alone to be his strength.
Although King Cyrus had earlier commissioned the Jews to rebuild the temple, the nations around them tormented them, assailing them with doubts and giving them false counselors who hindered them. These enemies had waited until a king rose who was not so acquainted with the past. To that king they wrote letters of accusation, casting doubt upon their past and obtaining an order to halt the rebuilding of the temple. Having come out of long captivity, these returning Jews likely realized that much of their suffering had been a result of aligning themselves with unbelievers, so they refused help. However, the neighboring nations were reluctant to accept the Jews refusal for help. Although the Jews had gold, silver, and other valuables with which to build, they were unprepared for this resistance.
The temple was God’s dwelling place among his people; it was a sacred place built with a holy design and was not to be tainted with various ideas from other nations. The elders among the Jews remembered Solomon’s temple, and they meant to rebuild as near to that design as possible.
Practical Truths for Today
In many countries of the world, Christians enjoy the freedom to gather in their churches and worship without opposition. Satan’s attack on the Christian’s faith is nevertheless real and ongoing. Satan is not opposed to religion, but he is tirelessly opposed to Holy Spirit-led Christian living. God is a Spirit and desires to live within the heart of man. While on earth, Jesus cleansed the temple of the impurities of man—He wants to cleanse the heart of unrighteousness so his Spirit can dwell within.
In the parable of the sower and the seed, Jesus depicts the different conditions of the “soil” of people’s hearts. When other interests are in competition to the seed of God’s Word, God’s work is hindered. Man, being of the earth, is attracted to the things of the earth; he is prone to human reasoning, which hinders following the Holy Spirit. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 14:12). The fruit of God’s Spirit dwelling in a person is evidenced by a faithful, obedient walk. The Spirit itself is not seen, even as Jesus said, “like the wind,” but the believer’s godly pattern of righteousness is testimony to the Holy Spirit’s presence in his heart. Temperance (self-control) is included in the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23).
Jesus and his disciples met much opposition to their teaching. Opposition to the gospel became so strong that many followers of Jesus suffered physically and ultimately gave their lives for their faith. This persecution of believers continued for hundreds of years; in some countries religious persecution continues today. The spiritual challenge in the Western world, however, is not bodily persecution. Because our base nature is aligned with the world, we are tempted to partake of worldly things. Advertising is designed to entice people to indulge in carnal activities and entertainments that promise enjoyment and satisfaction. Technology puts much of the world at our fingertips. We must set a guard that our curiosity does not lead us astray. Some Christians admit they have read things that were questionable and thereby were hindered in their spiritual walk and sanctification.
The world enjoys amusement parks, theaters, bowling alleys, game rooms, pool halls, racetracks, night clubs, professional sports, festivals, fairs, casinos, and more. Fashion and jewelry stores, hair and nail salons, and tattoo shops feed the ego and pride of humanity. Alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs bring many people into bondage. Although the Christian cannot take part in any of these things, their prevalence in worldly society wears at his resistance to them. We must remember that the world is always in opposition to the true believer and will never bring him closer to God.
Worldly opposition comes to the Christian believer in various ways. Because we need things of the earth for our temporal life, whether we are intemperate or materialistic regarding earthly things must be proved from a spiritual perspective. Apostle Paul wrote, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Cor. 6:12).
The Bible is our guidebook to teach us how to be successful in the spiritual warfare. Revelation 22:18-19 gives us warning that no one shall add to or take away from the Scriptures. Jesus reproved the Pharisees for altering the law of God, making it of no effect. Let us beware that we do not modify any teachings of the Bible.
Questions
- How do we teach our children that the world is not a friend to help us to heaven?
- In what ways is the Holy Spirit teaching us to live separate from the world?
- What are some differences between Christian economics and the economics of the world?
- What is our part to do in preparing our hearts to be a proper temple for God to dwell in?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).