The great lengths evil will go to stop the Lord's work. Or at least try.

In the book of Ezra, chapters four through six, is an interesting circle of events.

As we left off at the end of chapter three, the exiled people from Jerusalem had returned back to Judah and were in the process of rebuilding the Lord's Temple.  The foundation had been completed and there was much joy across the land.

Starting in chapter 4, their rebuilding had gained the attention of their neighboring enemies.  Other leaders of Israel, at first, wanted to be a part of it, but those exiled from Judah denied their request, stating God had commanded only them to rebuild the Temple.

The locals became enraged, and tried to frighten the workers.  But to no avail.  They even bribed others to work against them.  Nope.  It did no good.

Then, the enemies wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes of Persia, demanding that they stop, for once the Temple and their grand city was built, the Jews would refuse to pay their tribute to the government.  It would be in Persia's best interest to cease their building.  By the end of chapter 6, it was ordered that they stop, for it was in the king's best interest.

Beginning in chapter 5, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah prophesied to the people of Judah, stating they could start rebuilding, as commanded by God.  So they did.  This act enraged their enemies yet again.  This time, they wrote a letter to King Darius of Persia, pleading with him to order the cease of all rebuilding.  King Darius demanded the people of Judah who gave them permission.  So they laid their case for doing so, as demanded by God whom He had gave permission to King Cyrus.  The people of Judah asked King Darius to search the archives for such a written request by King Cyrus.

When we come to chapter 6, King Darius had his people search the archives and found the document scroll by King Cyrus.  Upon reading it, he sent word to the enemies of Judah that the rebuilding would begin again and any further violation of his decree would find their people's homes torn down and the people impaled upon the timber from their homes.

King Darius concluded by stating that God had chosen the city of Jerusalem to be a place of honor in His name, and no one will go against such a decision.

The Temple was completed by the sixth year of King Darius's reign and there was a great celebration in the Lord's name.

As you can tell, evil will go to great lengths to stop the spread of the Lord's Message and the furthering of His people.  But by trusting in God and doing what He commands, one will always walk in His Glorious Favor.