Ezra 4:1,2 - Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary

I beg the Reader to remark with me the several interesting circumstances which occur in this chapter. As an history they are deserving attention; but as a spiritual subject in reference to the building of the temple of God, they become much more so. Let the Reader observe how the adversaries of Judah speak of God's people reproachfully, in calling them the children of the captivity. And are not God's people in all ages branded with some reproachful name of contempt? And let the Reader remark further who those adversaries were. Not the Chaldeans, their old masters, nor the Persians, their new ones; but those of the land. Persons who lived near them, and carried on a mungrel kind of religion; who professed to call upon the Lord, and yet served their idol gods? Alas! who are the greatest enemies gracious souls have to contend with now? Not open ones; not professed Infidels. A man's foes (says one that could not be mistaken) are they of his own household. Matthew 10:36. And if possible nearer yet than this, in a spiritual, sense: what greater foes hath a follower of Jesus than the opposers in his own heart from sin and unbelief, and the corruptions of his own nature. But Reader! doth not the gospel of Jesus in building the spiritual temple to his glory, meet with the same opposition all over the earth? And wheresoever the true gospel of Jesus is preached, doth not the enemy raise up foes either subtle, insinuating, or more open and bold, continually to oppose it?