Day 43 – Barriers

Ezra 4:1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of JEHOVAH Elohiym of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and the heads of the fathers’ houses, and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we seek your Elohiym as you do; and we sacrificed to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.”

 3 However, Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel said to them, “You may do nothing with us to build a house for our Elohiym; but we alone will build to JEHOVAH Elohiym of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia commanded us.”

 4 Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, 5 and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose throughout the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

 6 In the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

 7 In the days of Artaxerxes also, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabel, and the rest of their companions wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the letter was written in Aramaic script and translated into the Aramaic language.

 8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes in this fashion: 9 From Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions—representatives of the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the people of Persia and Erech and Babylon and Shushan, the Dehavites, the Elamites, 10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnapper took captive and settled in the cities of Samaria and the remainder beyond the River—and so forth. 11 (This is a copy of the letter that they sent him) To King Artaxerxes from your servants, the men of the region beyond the River, and so forth: 12 Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem, and are building the rebellious and evil city, and are finishing its walls and repairing the foundations. 13 Let it now be known to the king that, if this city is built and the walls completed, they will not pay tax, tribute, or custom, and the king’s treasury will be diminished. 14 Now, because we receive support from the palace, it was not proper for us to see the king’s dishonor; therefore, we have sent and informed the king, 15 that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will find in the book of the records know this city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, and they incited sedition within the city in former times, for which this city was destroyed. 16 We inform the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls completed, the result will be that you will have no dominion beyond the River.

 17 The king sent an answer: To Rehum the commander, to Shimshai the scribe, to the rest of their companions who dwell in Samaria, and to the remainder beyond the River: Peace, and so forth. 18 The letter you sent to us has been clearly read before me. 19 I gave the command, and a search has been made, and it was found that this city in former times revolted against kings, and rebellion and sedition have been fostered in it. 20 There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who ruled over the entire region beyond the River; and tax, tribute, and custom were paid to them. 21 Now give the command to make these men cease, that this city may not be built until the command is given by me. 22 Take heed now that you do not fail to do this. Why should damage increase to the hurt of the kings?

 23 Now when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem against the Jews, and by force of arms made them cease.

 24 Thus the work of the house of Elohiym which is at Jerusalem ceased, and it was discontinued until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

God’s names:

JEHOVAH – Self-existent, Eternal

Elohiym – Supreme God

Yeshuwa – Jesus

God’s character:

Sovereign

What do you do when someone tries to stop what you’ve been commissioned to do?

The people of Samaria wanted to join the Jews in building the temple in Jerusalem. However, they were told they could not because they weren’t Jews. In response, the people of Samaria wrote a letter to the king of Persia, Artaxerxes, to stop the Jews from building the temple by giving the people a bad report to the king. In response, the king sent a letter to them to stop the building of the temple and the walls of Jerusalem.

Jealousy causes people to try to destroy the good intentions of others. When you accepted Yeshuwa as Savior and Lord, Satan came against you to destroy your relationship with Him. He wanted to remain the ruler in your life. You supplanted him when you accepted Yeshuwa and began to build your faith through reading His Word.

Many times, Satan succeeds in stopping Yeshuwa’s work in your life. He puts barriers in your way, making it impossible to proceed. What barriers? He will cause to miss going to church by making your job demand you work on those days. He will make you too tired to read His Word so you can keep yourself grounded in your faith. He will make family plans that will take you away from Yeshuwa.

How do you get past the barriers?

Pray. Find another job that will not interfere with your faith. If that isn’t an option, see if changing your work schedule will help you attend church. Download a Bible app on your phone so you can read during your work breaks, or any time you have a free moment. Find a Bible study that meets on your day off. When you make the effort to stay grounded in your faith, Yeshuwa will open doors so you will stay close to Him. Let Satan know he cannot destroy your faith. You will work around his barriers.

Your family is another barrier Satan throws in your way. He will cause your family to make plans you cannot say no too because you love spending time with your family. However, let your family know long before they make plans what your priorities are regarding spending time with Yeshuwa. Let them know as soon as you accept Yeshuwa as Savior and Lord. Show them how serious you are with your faith. Then they will respect you and make those plans with you in mind.

When you see a barrier, pray. Let Satan know he will not get the victory in your life. Yeshuwa is your King and your Elohiym. You can always find a church on a family vacation. You can always find a quiet time to spend in Bible study and prayer.

When you make Yeshuwa your priority, you can break every barrier Satan sets up.

Let’s pray: Father, let my life show You are in first place in my life. Help me break every barrier Satan puts in front of me, especially the deceitful barriers that look honoring to You, but take me away from You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Copyright © 2 March 2025 by Valerie Routhieaux