Then when Ezra returned to Judah to rebuild the temple, he was met with Persian disdain once again. Ezra had been given permission by Cyrus to return to Judah but when the Persian overseers in Judah got wind of the plan they were not pleased.
“Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the LORD God of Israel, they came…and said to them ‘Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do…’” Ezra 4:1-2
Of course they had no intention of seeking Israel’s God. They were seeking a way to sabotage the rebuilding of the temple.
Zerubbabel and Jeshua immediately saw right through the scheme.
“You may do nothing with us to build a house for our God; but we alone will build to the LORD God of Israel…” Ezra 4:3
The Jew’s inspired response caused their enemies to do everything in their power to thwart the project.
“Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia…” Ezra 4:4-5
And then later when Nehemiah and his company returned to Judah to rebuild the walls and streets of Jerusalem, they also experienced Persian resistance. As soon as they crossed over to the west of the Euphrates River, the Persian governors rose up against them.
“When Sanballat (Persian Governor) and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.” Nehemiah 2:10
Tobiah the Ammonite was a descendant of Lot’s son Ammon via an incestuous relationship.
Therefore, throughout Old Testament history, there has been animosity between Iran (Persia) and God’s people, the Israelites.
Persians are also referenced in the New Testament.
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.’” Matthew 2:1-2
The wise men from the East were magicians from Persia. Do you suppose they knew Jesus was the one Nebuchadnezzar dreamed about 600 years earlier who would crush the gentile world kingdoms?
Note the phrase, ‘we have…come to worship him.’ It brings to mind the words the Persians in Judah spoke to Ezra when they learned he had returned to rebuild the temple, i.e. ‘…for we seek your God as you do.’
Iran (Persia) will play a profound part in future history.
“Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.” Revelation 16:12
The ‘kings from the east’ were spoken of by the Prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel spoke of gentile nations that God would draw into Israel and then let them destroy themselves. He first mentions those from present day Turkey and then he identifies several other nations with animosity towards Israel.
“I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army…a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them…” Ezekiel 38:4-5a
Their fate is described in detail in the latter part of chapter 38.
Then the Apostle John reiterates Ezekiel’s prophecy in Revelation 19 and adds details to the end of those nations that came against Israel.
So Mr. President, do you think it is in the best interest of America to seek a covenant with Iran whose stated goal is to totally destroy Israel?
Recall God’s words to Abraham, i.e. ‘I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.’ Will aligning with Iran be a blessing to Israel or a curse?
Inasmuch as the end has already been written Mr. President, don’t you think the wisest strategy is to simply align our priorities according to what has been blatantly revealed?
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