Ezra Chapter 6. God's sense of humor.
The people who opposed the rebuilding of God's Temple were able to stop progress at one point. But once the Jews started rebuilding again they went to King Darius and told him he should investigate this situation because they wanted this rebuilding to stop. Instead of King Darius agreeing with the Jew's enemies, he told them no one is to hinder their work, and in fact he commanded the enemies to help them rebuild. It's when I read things like this that I am reminded God must have a sense of humor.
I'm sure there were days the Jews were very discouraged, especially when they had to put their work on hold. I wrote in my notes today that I want a faith that is able to look beyond any circumstances and be able to see God's glory. I want to be able to rejoice when I'm on the path of discouragement because I know God is in control. I was reminded of Philippians 4:4-7 where basically it says,
Rejoice Always,
Don't be anxious,
Pray,
Be Thankful, and then Experience God's Peace.
Thank you God that you are in control and we can trust you through all circumstances.
What we read about the decision that King Darius made in this chapter made me think of another decision by a different king as we see in the 6th and 7th chapter of Esther. Haman despised Mordecai, but he was so self-centered in his thinking that the king wanted to do something special for him that he ended up having to do what he had suggested as the king directed him to do for honoring Mordecai. That must have been so humiliating for Haman! Haman’s whole plot to eliminate Mordecai eventually backfired and he was hung on the very gallows that he had prepared for hanging Mordecai.
This reminds me of what Jesus said in Matthew 7:1-2.
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”
Another verse that I think fits here is when Joseph was speaking to his brothers in Genesis 50:20.
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”