Ezra 5:1-2 "Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them. (2) Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them."
This morning I will attempt to use Scripture to show what was happening during this time of delay in rebuilding the temple of God. The opponents had stood to their face with false accusations concerning their motive for doing the work. A government command had been handed down to cause them to stop. They stopped.
We aren't sure how long they had halted in the work, but according to the Prophet Haggai, they had been working on their own houses instead of the house of God. The Lord rebuked them through the Prophet Haggai. "Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. (8) Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD. (9) Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house." (Haggai 1:7-9)
Satan was still trying to prevent them even as Zechariah, Haggai, Zerubbabel, and Joshua were resuming the work. Read the account through the Prophet Zechariah. "And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?". (Zechariah 3:1-2)
The Lord had commanded the work to be done and nothing would prevent it from being accomplished. The Lord showed Himself to be strong on behalf of His people. God has not changed.
"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"