Adversaries of Judah and Benjamin - Ezra 4:1

In the book of Ezra, Ezra said, “when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endures for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy. So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off”, and in chapter four and verse one of Ezra, Ezra began to share what happened, “when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard” where we read,

Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin 

heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel;

The verse reads, “Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin ...” Ezra began with the words, “now when the adversaries” which means “at the time and moment the foes, enemies and oppressors” “of Judah” which means “belonging to Judah whose name means praised and the kingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split upon the death of Solomon” “and Benjamin” or “and Benjamin whose name means son of the right hand and was the tribe descended from Benjamin who was the son of Jacob”. Ezra referred to the time that the enemies of “Judah and Benjamin” did the following. 

The verse goes on to say, “... heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel;”Ezra continued with the words, “heard that the children” or “perceived and understood that the offspring and progeny” “of the captivity” which means “belonging to the people of Israel who were exiled” “builded the temple” or “rebuilt, established and repaired the nave, sanctuary and dwelling place” “unto the LORD God” which means “to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True Supreme Deity” “of Israel” or “belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and was the name of the descendants and nation of descendants belonging to Jacob”. Ezra shared how the foes of “Judah and Benjamin” perceived that the offspring of Israel who were exiled began to rebuild the sacred worship place of Jehovah God who is the Supreme Deity of “Israel”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how there was opposition to the people of “Israel”rebuilding their worship place. Enemies rose up against them when they perceived what the offspring of Israel were doing. God knows there is a spiritual battle that everyone who attempts to worship and serve Him shall endure, (See Ephesians 6:12) and because He loves us, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind who will help us against our foes. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a desire to worship Him with exceedingly loud sounds and voices for all eternity. 

Next time Ezra shares how the adversaries say, “let us build with you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".