Ezra 3-4; Psalm 92; 1 John 1

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Every work of God will always face opposition. To rebuild the temple, the Jews not only needed permission from King Cyrus but also had to overcome various forms of resistance. The enemies hindering the Jews in their construction efforts were the Samaritans—Jews mixed with pagans. In their religious practices, they blended worship of Jehovah with paganism. Zerubbabel refused their participation because God had initially punished Israel for mixing with paganism.

The enemies of God’s work use various deceitful methods to prevent its progress, resulting in the construction being halted for several years.

Psalm 92
He was contemplating the greatness and mercy of God. In praising the Lord, the psalmist perceives His hand and His works and marvels at them.

Righteousness is a source of blessing. It is connected with dwelling in the house of God and makes life fulfilling and rich, even into old age.

1 John 1
As in his Gospel, John provides evidence for the truthfulness of his testimony about Christ: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at, and our hands have touched… The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us” (1 John 1:1-2).

Basing his testimony on solid facts, John presents them so that those who believe in them may have a heartfelt fellowship with God through Jesus Christ and the apostles. He emphasizes that the essence of the Good News is tied to resisting sin, being cleansed from it, and being set free from its power.