Sadly, there are those who have other motives and will scheme against you.
When the Jews were rebuilding the temple, those who had been resettled in the land years ago and had enjoyed having primary influence there until now that Jews have returned, those who had been in the land offered to help.
Ezra 4:1-2
When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, “Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.”
But the Jews felt this was the work God had given them to do, and so they said no thank you.
Then, those who had enjoyed having influence over the region before the Jews returned set out to thwart their plans.
Ezra 4:4-5
Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. 5 They hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans
They sent a letter to the King to manipulate him into getting them to stop and lie about what people were doing. They were rebuilding the Temple as decreed by Cyrus, but we’re now accused of rebuilding the walls and fortification of Jerusalem.
The king responds with a letter saying they need to stop that.
Ezra 4:23
As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai the secretary and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop.
Fear of losing power and influence. Manipulation and lies to undermine others. Sadly, this has been part of human behaviour since the fall.
I must admit I am often caught off guard when this happens to me. But I need to learn and become wise. We need to discern who is trying to help and make wise judgements about that, as Sadly, some people are concerned about the influence you may be gaining and will scheme to stop what God has put in your heart to do.
Father, help us to be discerning.
Father, help us to be wise.
Father, help us not to be intimidated and thwarted by those who would scheme against your work that You give us to do. Teach us to trust You in these situations.
