COMPLAINTS ARE TO BE EXPECTED. Ezra 5: 4-17 A work for God can be halted when we allow ourselves to be held back by perceived obstacles. Common phrases like "The time is not right yet" or "There will be too much offense in the community if we are too aggressive" are used to excuse ourselves. When we see no interest in the Gospel and God's word in a community after years of labor for the Lord, instead of moving on to another place, we justify ourselves by saying, "This is our home now. We can't leave this. I plan to stay here until I die."
That might be acceptable for someone who is aged and infirm, but for those with youthful ambition, that is not okay. People will gladly move if there is a promotion to a better job. They will move even if they desire better weather. But to move for the sake of the Lord? No, they want "to be faithful" even if no one listens or pays attention to the word of the Lord. There is a tendency to do our own thing and provide for ourselves. We often delay getting to the Lord's work until we have a good income and solid retirement benefits.
However, just because work was stopped at Jerusalem for fifteen years didn't mean they weren't in the right place. That was where the Lord had placed His name. That was where the people were supposed to build. The work had already begun, but was halted due to indifference. However, within a short time—probably about a month after Haggai's message—the building work resumed. Zerubbabel and Jeshua, who had been as discouraged and slack as the others, faced the Lord and reaffirmed their leadership. They once again set an example for others to follow. With Haggai and Zechariah working alongside Zerubbabel and Jeshua, there was renewed momentum, and their enthusiasm for rebuilding God's house spread to others, prompting the work to resume.
Weariness and slowness in work, especially at the beginning when there isn't much to see as the foundation is laid, can lead to lethargy towards the task. Lethargy, in turn, causes absence and lack of interest. Lack of interest slows down the work until it comes to a complete stop. For a revival of work to occur, we need to return to the word of God—not just for study and information, but for heart-searching and for awakening our conscience. Then, a genuine interest in divine things begins to develop. The Bible was given to us to live by, not just to read for pleasure, as with literature. Apathy and procrastination will disappear when our consciences are awakened, and we admit our lethargy is a sin that must be confessed and forsaken. The sin of omission is just as sinful as the sin of commission.
When we listen to the word of God as His voice, not just a book to study, then God's Spirit has fertile ground to produce new life and growth in His people. Years earlier in Babylon, the Lord had "stirred up the spirit" of Cyrus, an unbeliever, to take action in building God's house. Then the spirits of God's people were "raised" to go to Jerusalem and rebuild what was lost. This reflects the principle of revival. Revival begins when I draw a circle around myself and pray for revival within that circle. Once that happens to me, it can spread to others. I need to consider unsaved people who "want more" but don't know what they want or how to get it. I must be able to clearly share what happened to me and what it means, even after many years, to be a child of God, a "Christian."
It is important to us not to allow opposition to stop us when they question our right to further the Gospel. It is not uncommon to be faced with angry people who oppose God and who try to intimidate us in order to make us stop evangelizing. Intimidation only works if we let it. Proceed with confidence in the work to which we have been called. When there is a legal reason to stop work, we need to find a legal way to continue, unless the law of man conflicts with the law of God. Then it is clear, "We ought to obey God rather than man." Don't get bothered by threats, slander, or intrigue because "the eye of God" is upon the work of God and will not be turned away by mere, puny, mortal men. The work is the Lord's, and He will lead and protect it.
The new activity at the temple site created a stir among those around who had become used to a half-built structure sitting there abandoned. The appointed governor of the area may have thought this project was under his jurisdiction, and so inquired as to who gave them the right to do what they were doing in conquered territory. The letter to Darius did state the facts more or less correctly, but it seems that Tattenai was uncertain whether his authority extended to Jerusalem. He wrote what the Jews had told him and then added, "From that day to the present it has been under construction but is not yet finished." The implication was that the failure to complete the work was not his responsibility. Finally, the Jews who had been inactive in their work for so long have been prompted by the prophets to act as God intended.
God has His plans, and He will see them fulfilled. When we fail in our responsibilities, there are consequences we must accept, but we also need to understand that God's work will be accomplished through whatever means are necessary according to His will. There are times when we must speak up clearly and give reasons for our actions, despite criticism, hostility, and intimidation. However, it is important that we remain honest. In response to those who "ask the reason of the hope that lieth in you," we need to clearly state the motivation behind our actions.
The entire story was clearly laid out, showing what led to the captivity initially and then the authority given to return and rebuild the house of God. The fifteen years of inactivity in the work was noticeable to those around. There are certain reasonable and legitimate expectations people hold of us. If we fail to speak up for what we believe and do what we are supposed to do, people have the right to doubt our genuine change. By clearly stating our faith in God and acknowledging our failure to fulfill His commission, we must swallow our pride, admit our mistakes, and then start over to do what is right.
We cannot please everyone, but it is vital that we please God. What He desires is what we must pursue. If we have neglected what should have been done, admit it as sin, confess it, turn away from it, and start anew. Actions and words must align. This was true during the time of the Jews' rebuilding, and it remains true today. We thank God for those who come among us, stir our hearts, and motivate our actions to begin again with enthusiasm and vigor in the work we have been called to.
There is a time to preach, a time to pray, and a time to build. Not all messages that touch the hearts of listeners come from the words of those called to preach the Gospel. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words. The weight of labor, financial struggles, and health issues silently calls for others' help in carrying the burden. It is true that prophets have urgent messages for the people, but sometimes, the listeners' ears must be opened. They will pay more attention to what you say if you work with them as well.
Some great stones need to be moved into their proper places. Every hand and strong muscle sharing the load is needed when prophets lend a helping hand, and the builders are very happy to see their faces. A certain kind of credibility is added to urgent work that can be seen by those around who are watching. When they see—and tell others—that prophets aren’t afraid of dirt, the builders can expect more laborers to come and help.
Sharing work is more than just using gifts; it involves helping others understand how they work together. When gifts function properly as one, they enable everyone to lift loads too heavy for just one or two to move alone. When everyone stands together, the house of God can progress faster. Prophets with their gifts—and strained muscles—will see joy on the faces of strong builders and laborers as they gain a clearer understanding of God’s ways. We are laborers together in God’s building project—laborers for Him. As we do what we are called to do and help others in their work for the Lord, a special kind of unity emerges that goes beyond just message or hymn singing.