The king should know that the Jews who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations.
Furthermore, the king should know that if this city is built and its walls are restored, no more taxes, tribute or duty will be paid, and the royal revenues will suffer.
Now since we are under obligation to the palace and it is not proper for us to see the king dishonored, we are sending this message to inform the king,
so that a search may be made in the archives of your predecessors. In these records you will find that this city is a rebellious city, troublesome to kings and provinces, a place of rebellion from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed.
We inform the king that if this city is built and its walls are restored, you will be left with nothing in Trans–Euphrates. - Ezra 4:12-16 NIV
Anyone who thinks the situation in the Middle East has a simple solution, doesn't know their history. The enemies of God and His people have been plotting against both the Jews and their god for centuries. Over and over again, there have been human plans to wipe them off of the face of the earth, or at the very least discredit them. Even today, unless one has traveled to Israel and Jerusalem, it is hard to understand the issue. Despite what is presented by the media, the Jews in Israel would like to have a Palestinian solution. They are not heartless, in fact just the opposite. Even now, their hospitals are treating children hurt in the ongoing Syrian conflict.. Israel welcomes refugees that few countries do. According to Amnesty International, "As of 2009, there are approximately 18,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Israel – a majority coming from Eritrea, Darfur and Southern Sudan." Yet, many continue to see Israel as 'rebellious and troublesome to kings and provinces', echoing the view in Ezra's day.
From my perspective, it all goes back to the day that Satan was thrown from heaven. I think he made up his mind that if he couldn't be the favorite, then no one else would be either. Like Cyrus, many of the kings in the Old Testament recognized that God's hand was on His people and on those who would help Israel. Those rulers with short memories would suffer the consequences of not realizing that God was behind Israel and Jerusalem. The rebellious and troublesome Jews have the God of the Ages on their side.
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