Honour the King

"Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the LORD God of Israel, ² they came to Zerubbabel and the heads of the fathers' houses, and said to them, "Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do; and we have sacrificed to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here."

Ezra 4:1-2

It is strange that enemies of Israel would seek to help them in building, yet here a tactic the enemy of our souls employs.  The enemies of Israel could not overturn the command of King Cyrus but could be a thorn in their side by close proximity.  If permitted to work alongside God's people they would labour to undermine the project rather than to advance it.  They happily pointed out their allegiance to God and conveniently made no mention of other gods they also worshiped.  Thankfully God's people were in a high point of zeal for the glory of God and the honour of His Law and viewed all as defiled who could not prove they were indeed of the Israelite congregation by lineage.

After their offer to help was denied the adversarial nature of these posers was revealed.  Ezra 4:4-5 says, "Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, ⁵ and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia."  Isn't it ironic the people who claimed to "seek your God as you do" were the ones who tried to discourage, trouble, and frustrate their purpose continually?  A mixed multitude had come up with the children of Israel out of Egypt, but Zerubbabel and the elders were wise not to join themselves to their adversaries swayed by the empty promise of help.  The children of Israel needed help and were wise to seek the LORD since He was their help, refuge, wisdom, and strength.

When Ahasuerus became king, these adversaries sent a letter to warn him against the ongoing work in Jerusalem.  They ignored the fact Cyrus had commanded and funded the rebuilding efforts and slandered the Jewish nation as rebellious, contentious, and claimed they would refuse to pay taxes.  Their warning had the desired effect when king Ahasuerus issued an order to cease building, having only been appraised of the facts which supported the negative allegations.  The enemies of Israel went with haste to enforce the King's edict as Ezra 4:23-24 states:  "Now when the copy of King Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem against the Jews, and by force of arms made them cease. ²⁴ Thus the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem ceased, and it was discontinued until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia."  With the forced shut-down of churches in New South Wales yesterday reading this on the day was providential.

Zerubbabel had been commanded by king Cyrus of Persia to return to Israel and rebuild the temple, but king Ahasuerus gave them a cease and desist order they were to honour.  It required force of arms, yet they obediently complied.  They knew it was God's will for them to work to rebuild, but at the same time they obeyed the command of the king:  in due time the work would resume and at the king's direction their enemies would help pay the bill!  In a time when church gatherings have been banned for the safety of citizens and the prevention of further damage by the global pandemic, there is the temptation to disregard government directives claiming we appeal to a higher authority.  But let us not forget the example of those in Ezra's day or what Peter said in 1 Peter 2:13-17:  "Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men-- ¹⁶ as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. ¹⁷ Honour all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king."

The order for the closing of churches is not religious persecution but a calculated response to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  To knowingly violate or undermine the order which also applies to many small businesses, cafes, shops, and venues is unjustified on biblical grounds--especially when there are countless ways we can continue to freely seek the LORD, read His Word, and share it among family members and online.  Bible studies and sermons can be hosted over a variety of apps and time set aside to pray with one another.  My father-in-law told me a story about when he was learning to drive and wondered why it was necessary to turn on his lights when he could see the road clearly.  He was told, "It's not just about you seeing but helps other drivers see you."  This changed his perspective and mine.  Whether or not you are personally concerned about contracting the virus is one thing, but we ought to take every precaution for those who are more vulnerable.  It is a matter of love for one another and not legality.  It is the will of God we would submit ourselves to the ordinances of men for the glory of God and not use our liberty as a cloak for stubbornness and rebellion.

We are in a war, but it may not be the kind of war you might expect.  It is a war which raged in the darkness of our hearts and minds long before this viral pandemic or WW2:  it is a war within followers of Jesus to submit ourselves before God in humility, to walk in love and not legalism.  Even if Satan personally has a hand in the current crisis God is able to make all things work for the good to those who love God, who are the called according to His purpose.  Let us not take out frustrations upon unseen foes, a government, prime minister or president, or on a virus but be casting our cares upon the LORD because He cares for us.  The crucifixion of Jesus shows us the worst things can become the instrument of salvation in the hands of God who speaks light into darkness and raises the dead to eternal life.