Ezra 4:23-24 "Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. (24) Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia."
When the people refused the request of the Samaritans to help, they went back to the new king with accusations. They accused the people of being rebellious and not trustworthy. They spoke of the wall being built and the foundations laid as if the people of Jerusalem were doing something in secret.
But when they really wanted the work to stop, they went the route of money. They said, If you allow this work to continue, tax revenue will be greatly reduced. They will make the king look as if he is not effective in leading the nation. This resulted in the new king sending the letter commanding the work to cease.
As I read these words in Ezra, I'm reminded of another time when the world order tried to cause the work of Christ to come to a stop. The council commanded the disciples to stop speaking in the name of Jesus. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29) The sad part of today's text is found in these words, "Then ceased the work of the house of God." They stopped working.
May we never allow the influence of the world to cause the work of Jesus Christ to cease.