Proclaimer Blog
How enemies conspire against the gospel
Read Ezra 4.7-16 this morning – the letter that Rehum and Shimshai send against the Israelites. It struck me again how enemies of the gospel twist the truth to suit their own ends:
- Rehum and Shimshai exaggerate those they represent (v10). It is highly unlikely that they do indeed speak for all the people whom they claim to speak for, but no matter, this just seems to enhance their objections.
- Rehum and Shimshai make leaps of logic to scare the king into submission. "If this city is built….the royal revenues will suffer" (v13). Quite a leap of argument. If this happens then that certainly will.
- Rehum and Shimshai choose the one topic that will get the King agitated. His coffers are depleted by the Greek wars fought by his predecessors. The threat of lost revenue strikes right at his heart.
- Rehum and Shimshai are selective with their history (v15). True, it is possible to look back into Jerusalem's history and see bleak moments (v16). But equally it is possible to look back to the time of Esther, for example, and see good history. That's how enemies work. They are always selective.
- Rehum and Shimshai exaggerate their claims. By verse 16 they are claiming that the whole of the Trans-Euphrates will be lost if Jerusalem is not stopped. Really? All of it?
Nothing changes. You can read exactly this kind of thing going on in Glasgow. Pray on for brothers and sisters at the Tron.