But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers' houses in Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we alone will build to the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.” Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build and bribed counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

The leaders of the returning Jews were entirely correct in refusing the offer of help from a people group that had been forcibly imported to replace the Jews exiled to Babylon. The temptation to blend in other beliefs other than in the LORD, God, the Almighty would have been overwhelming.

But the returnees had not learned a valuable lesson during their exile--"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5). Their fear of man caused them to abandon the building of the Temple. It overcame the Fear of the LORD, God, the Almighty.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 113

Mid-day: 119:121-128

Evening: Psalm 39

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"Voices Together" is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.  All Scripture is taken from the ESV unless otherwise noted. A weekly edition, formatted as a bi-fold insert and suitable for distribution can be downloaded at https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/52-general-downloads. The next edition is available by Thursday of the prior week.