Responding to Oppression
And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments came forward with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the directions of David king of Israel. Ezra 3:10
In the third chapter of Ezra, we read about the moment when “the foundation of the temple of the Lord was laid.” At that moment the younger generation broke into worship and praise with instruments and choirs. A festival of praise erupted as they celebrated the long road to this historical moment. In verses 12-13 Ezra shared his observations about the response of the older generations who were taking part in this national celebration. Many of those who had witnessed the splendor of the first temple wept because of their memories of the first temple. This temple looked nothing like the first temple and the presence of God was absent. The nation was still reeling, and the riches of David’s kingdom were nowhere to be found. The ark was also gone, and the Shekinah glory of God was absent. They were encouraged by the worship that was restored in Jerusalem, but they also lamented the impact their sins had on the nation. They were lamenting so loudly Ezra tells us “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 sound was heard afar off.” (Ezra 4:13) Sadly, there was a competition between those who were rejoicing and those who were so focused on what they did not have that their lament affected the celebration.
In the fourth chapter, the resistance to rebuilding the Temple begins. Israel’s enemies enter the picture and the Samaritans take center stage offering to partner with the Jews as they rebuild the temple. The Samaritans were syncretistic in their worship and their declaration to only worship the one true God was a lie. The fathers of the house of Israel rejected their offer, and this led to a 16-year delay in temple construction, extreme oppression, and another spiritual descent for the people of Israel.
The scripture speaks loudly to the reality that when God’s people follow God’s will there is always oppression. I have seen this over the years in ministry. The most intense attacks occur in the middle of a great move of God. The scriptures make it very clear that Satan prowls looking for who he can devour. (I Peter 5:8) Knowing that he has lost believers in Jesus to the redemption found in Christ, he produces oppression in our lives to get our eyes off the opportunities we have to use our lives to proclaim the gospel and make an impact for the kingdom. His primary strategy is to get us focused on things that keep us from focusing on God’s plan and purpose for our lives. This keeps us overwhelmed by the perceived priorities of the moment, and achieves the evil ones’ goal to stop us from proclaiming the truth of the gospel that builds up the body of Christ through transformed lives.
In our response to this oppression, we must armor up and fight the spiritual battle trusting in God for the strength to overcome. (Ephesians 6:10-19) James tells us that trials are used by God to perfect and complete us. (James 1:2-4) God has promised us that He will be present and faithful as we endure the oppression, and we can trust Him every step of the way. (Isaiah 41:10)
Today I want you to think about something that is being used by the evil one to oppress you. It may be something small or something big. Whatever it is, trust God in the battle by recognizing the battle is His and we are just called to walk in obedience as He engages the oppression. (Proverbs 21:31) Remembering, that nothing is impossible with God! (Luke 1:37) These promises from scripture will get you through any oppression that may come your way. He is faithful!
– Pastor Chuck