# Day 193

# The Enemies of God’s Building

Ezra 4:1–16

To the north of Jerusalem lived the Samaritans. These people were a mixture of Israelites and Assyrians. They worshiped the Lord and also false gods.

The Samaritans came to Zerubbabel. “Let us help you build the temple. We worship your God. We’ve been sacrificing like you since we came from Assyria.”

“You cannot build with us,” he answered. “Only we will build for God. King Cyrus of Persia has commanded this.”

So the Samaritans made the Jews afraid to build. They wrote letters and paid Persian princes to stop the work. Cyrus was far away at war and couldn’t help. Soon after, he died.

Then Artaxerxes ruled the Persian Empire. He soon received a letter: “Your servants beyond the river greet you. We’d like you to know that the Jews have come to Jerusalem. They’re rebuilding that wicked city and its walls. If the city is built, the Jews won’t pay your taxes. We’re true to you and don’t want you put to shame. History shows that Jerusalem was destroyed because of its rebels. If it’s rebuilt, you’ll lose your power this side of the river.”

Questions: Who were the Samaritans? What did they tell Artaxerxes about the Jews?