Accusations of Sedition

 God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Dedication of the Temple

Ezra 4:11-16

The Message

^8-16 Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows:

From: Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary, backed by the rest of their associates, the judges and officials over the people from Tripolis, Persia, Erech, and Babylon, Elamites of Susa, and all the others whom the great and honorable Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the city of Samaria and other places in the land across the Euphrates.

(This is the copy of the letter they sent to him.)

To: King Artaxerxes from your servants from the land across the Euphrates.

We are here to inform the king that the Jews who came from you to us have arrived in Jerusalem and have set about rebuilding that rebellious and evil city. They are busy at work finishing the walls and rebuilding the foundations. The king needs to know that once that city is rebuilt and the wall completed they will no longer pay a penny of tribute, tax, or duty. The royal treasury will feel the loss. We’re loyal to the king and cannot sit idly by while our king is being insulted—that’s why we are passing this information on. We suggest that you look into the court records of your ancestors; you’ll learn from those books that that city is a rebellious city, a thorn in the side to kings and provinces, a historic center of unrest and revolt. That’s why the city was wiped out. We are letting the king know that if that city gets rebuilt and its walls restored, you’ll end up with nothing in your province beyond the Euphrates.

For Reflection

Suppose a group of Islamic adherents began the construction of a mosque in your city.  One would probably see a flurry of letters to the editor and "civic minded" citizens outraged at the possibility.  One might begin to realize how the Pagans in Jerusalem felt at the Jews interference with their culture.

A few years ago a temporary home for troubled teens was announced in a neighborhood.  Letters of outrage flew alleging the drop in property values and, among many other things, the corruption of neighborhood children. Many of the leaders in the anti-project camp who were the most vocal were Christian and even used their faith to bolster their credibility.  Of course, the project was built and the young girls received help they needed in a time of great need.  Property values did not drop and children were not corrupted.

I recommend reading Leonard Pitts' opinion, "A talk with God while waiting in line(sic.)," published in the Roanoke Times, Monday, July 8, 2013.  You can Goggle it or read it on-line at http://www.sacbee.com/2013/07/07/5549895/leonard-pitts-jr-a-talk-with-god.html

Of what are we afraid?  Do we really think that God does not know about these things?  Do we really presume to advise God on matters He is quite capable of handling?

I'm with Pitts.  I would rather hug than hate in the name of God.  I would rather serve, heal and make peace than fight in the name of God. 

Pray

that fear will not override your trust in God. Pray for the courage to offer words and acts of healing rather than feed hate.  Pray for the wisdom to act in love.