One of the first things the exiles did, when they got back to Jerusalem from Babylon, was to reset the foundations of the temple; but then they had encountered resistance. Opponents of the project wrote a letter to the king of Persia indicating that Jerusalem had been “a rebellious and evil city” and warning him “once this city is rebuilt and the walls are restored, they will refuse to pay tribute, tax or toll, thus the king will incur a loss” (Ezra 4:12-13). The king’s reply forced the work to cease (4:17-24).

But the ministry of the prophets Haggai (which we read yesterday) and Zechariah (which we will start tomorrow) stirred the people to continue (5:1-2, 6:14). Several further rounds of correspondence between Judea and Persia were necessary (5:3-6:12), but the work continued and came to completion (6:15). A joyful celebration and dedication of the temple was held (6:16-17).

The first Passover after the temple had been restored was particularly notable: “For seven days they joyfully celebrated the feast of Unleavened Bread, for Yahweh had given them cause to rejoice, having moved the heart of the king of Assyria in their favor to support them in their work on the house of God, the God of Israel” (6:22).

Often the tasks God entrusts to us are small and particular, ready to be carried out by just one person, or a small group, right now. At other times our assignments can be quite extensive, requiring sustained effort over time. Especially in projects that take ongoing commitment, it will often turn out that there are people who resist the work. It’s easy to give up in the face of that opposition, and decide that it is just too hard and too frustrating. Even so, when we have kept at the task in the face of difficulties, that’s when it is especially satisfying to bring to fulfillment the project God assigned to us.

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Teach us diligence, O Lord. Grant us the grace to press on when we encounter challenges; and grant us graciousness toward our opponents when we must persevere despite their resistance; and grant us confidence that you will hold us and sustain us as we seek to do your will, with all our hearts.

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