Kenneth Malenge

Theme: God Who Rules And Overrule All.

Hymn: Immortal, invisible, God only wise. Faith is the victory. Great is thy faithfulness. God moves in a mysterious way.

In Ezra 3:1, we see unity in rebuilding the temple, but by verses 12-13, discouragement and division arise.
The elders and priests, who should have encouraged the younger generation, instead weep hopelessly, forgetting God’s faithfulness.
They focus on the temple’s humble beginning rather than the promised Messianic glory that Christ would bring.
This discouragement weakens them, making them vulnerable to external attacks.

Trust in God’s promises, even when circumstances seem discouraging (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Do not judge God’s faithfulness by human comparisons (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Division and discouragement open doors for Satan’s attack (1 Peter 5:8).
Even in small beginnings, see the bigger picture of God’s sovereign plan (Zechariah 4:10).

The Northern Kingdom (ten tribes) rejected God’s plan by abandoning the Davidic monarchy and worshiping idols.
They had nine ungodly mornachies.
Golden Calves in Bethel and Dan (1 Kings 12:26-33)
Jeroboam I appointed non-Levitical priests and introduced false festivals. This was a direct violation of God's law (Exodus 20:3-4).
Loss of National Identity, through intermarrying Assyrians, forming the Samaritans, violating God’s command to remain separate (Deuteronomy 7:3-4).
Now, they offer "help" to Judah and Benjamin, not in sincerity, but with the intent to corrupt their worship.
True worship is not about heritage or bloodline but about faithfulness to God alone (John 4:23-24).

Discern what is truly godly and reject compromise (1 John 4:1).
Matters of faith are not about lineage or relationships, but about God alone (Matthew 10:37).
Draw a clear line between what is of God and what is worldly (2 Corinthians 6:14-17).
Do not use worldly methods to accomplish God’s work (Romans 12:2).

The enemies of Judah and Benjamin first try to weaken them through discouragement and false alliances.
When that fails, they resort to direct opposition using political pressure, false accusations, and legal restrictions.
Instead of directly attacking the Jewish people or their God, they target the city itself.
The Samaritans were twisting history to present Jerusalem in a negative light. It is true that Jerusalem had seen past revolts: However, these past acts of rebellion were due to sin and disobedience—not because the city itself was inherently evil.
They manipulate the Persian government to stop the temple's construction by force.
The Samaritans were not just against the Jews—they were against God's redemptive plan.
Ignoring the Prophecies of Jerusalem’s Future Glory.
Jerusalem was not just another city; it was the city that carried God’s covenant promises:
God chose Jerusalem as His dwelling place (2 Chronicles 6:6).
Jerusalem was central to the promise of the Messiah (Psalm 132:13-14).
Isaiah prophesied Jerusalem’s restoration and future Messianic glory (Isaiah 2:2-4).
By calling it "rebellious and bad," the Samaritans were not only opposing the Jews but denying God's divine purpose for the city.
The enemy's goal was to destroy Jerusalem’s significance so that Messianic hope would be suppressed.

Persecution is inevitable when we stand with God (2 Timothy 3:12).
Standing for God is a lifelong battle, not a one-time event (Ephesians 6:12-13).
No earthly power can stop God’s sovereign plan (Isaiah 46:9-10).
Even when governments oppose God’s work, He is still in control (Daniel 2:21).
Satan’s Attacks Often Target God’s Plan, Not Just People

God rules and overrules all things. When discouragement, deceit, and direct attacks come, He remains sovereign. As believers, we must:

Trust in His faithfulness despite setbacks.
Refuse to compromise with worldly influences.
Stand firm in trials, knowing that no earthly opposition can thwart God’s plan.

“The counsel of the Lord standeth forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.” – Psalm 33:11