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A congregation may be the poorest in the land。 It may be without the attractions of any outward show； but if the members possess the principles of the character of Christ； angels will unite with them in their worship。 The praise and thanksgiving from grateful hearts will ascend to God as a sweet oblation。 〃Give thanks unto the Lord； for He is good： For His mercy endureth forever。 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so； Whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy。〃
〃Sing unto Him； sing psalms unto Him： Talk ye of all His wondrous works。 Glory ye in His holy name： Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord。〃
〃For He satisfieth the longing soul； And filleth the hungry soul with goodness。〃 Psalms 107：1； 2； 105：2； 3； 107：9。
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Chapter 46
〃The Prophets of God Helping Them〃
Close by the Israelites who had set themselves to the task of rebuilding the temple； dwelt the Samaritans； a mixed race that had sprung up through the intermarriage of heathen colonists from the provinces of Assyria with the remnant of the ten tribes which had been left in Samaria and Galilee。 In later years the Samaritans claimed to worship the true God； but in heart and practice they were idolaters。 It is true； they held that their idols were but to remind them of the living God； the Ruler of the universe； nevertheless the people were prone to reverence graven images。
During the period of the restoration； these Samaritans came to be known as 〃the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin。〃 Hearing that 〃the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of Israel；〃 〃they came to Zerubbabel； and to the chief of the fathers；〃 and expressed a desire to unite with them in its erection。 〃Let us build with you；〃 they proposed； 〃for we seek your God； as ye do；
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and we do sacrifice unto Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur； which brought us up hither。〃 But the privilege they asked was refused them。 〃Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God；〃 the leaders of the Israelites declared； 〃but we ourselves together will build unto the Lord God of Israel； as King Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us。〃 Ezra 4：1…3。
Only a remnant had chosen to return from Babylon； and now； as they undertake a work seemingly beyond their strength； their nearest neighbors come with an offer of help。 The Samaritans refer to their worship of the true God； and express a desire to share the privileges and blessings connected with the temple service。 〃We seek your God； as ye do；〃 they declare。 〃Let us build with you。〃 But had the Jewish leaders accepted this offer of assistance； they would have opened a door for the entrance of idolatry。 They discerned the insincerity of the Samaritans。 They realized that help gained through an alliance with these men would be as nothing in comparison with the blessing they might expect to receive by following the plain commands of Jehovah。
Regarding the relation that Israel should sustain to surrounding peoples； the Lord had declared through Moses： 〃Thou shalt make no covenant with them； nor show mercy unto them： neither shalt thou make marriages with them； 。 。 。 for they will turn away thy son from following Me； that they may serve other gods： so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you； and destroy thee suddenly。〃 〃Thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God； and the Lord hath
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chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself； above all the nations that are upon the earth。〃 Deuteronomy 7：2…4； 14：2。
The result that would follow an entrance into covenant relation with surrounding nations was plainly foretold。 〃The Lord shall scatter thee among all people； from the one end of the earth even unto the other；〃 Moses had declared； 〃and there thou shalt serve other gods； which neither thou nor thy fathers have known； even wood and stone。 And among these nations shalt thou find no ease； neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest： but the Lord shall give thee there a trembling heart； and failing of eyes； and sorrow of mind： and thy life shall hang in doubt before thee； and thou shalt fear day and night； and shalt have none assurance of thy life： in the morning thou shalt say； Would God it were even！ and at even thou shalt say； Would God it were morning！ for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear； and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see。〃 Deuteronomy 28：64…67。 〃But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God；〃 the promise had been； 〃thou shalt find Him； if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul。〃 Deuteronomy 4：29。
Zerubbabel and his associates were familiar with these and many like scriptures； and in the recent captivity they had evidence after evidence of their fulfillment。 And now； having repented of the evils that had brought upon them and their fathers the judgments foretold so plainly through Moses； having turned with all the heart to God； and renewed their covenant relationship with Him； they had been
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permitted to return to Judea； that they might restore that which had been destroyed。 Should they； at the very beginning of their undertaking； enter into a covenant with idolaters？
〃Thou shalt make no covenant with them；〃 God had said； and those who had recently rededicated themselves to the Lord at the altar set up before the ruins of His temple； realized that the line of demarcation between His people and the world is ever to be kept unmistakably distinct。 They refused to enter into alliance with those who； though familiar with the requirements of God's law； would not yield to its claims。
The principles set forth in Deuteronomy for the instruction of Israel are to be followed by God's people to the end of time。 True prosperity is dependent on the continuance of our covenant relationship with God。 Never can we afford to compromise principle by entering into alliance with those who do not fear Him。
There is constant danger that professing Christians will come to think that in order to have influence with worldlings； they must to a certain extent conform to the world。 But though such a course may appear to afford great advantages； it always ends in spiritual loss。 Against every subtle influence that seeks entrance by means of flattering inducements from the enemies of truth； God's people must strictly guard。 They are pilgrims and strangers in this world； traveling a path beset with danger。 To the ingenious subterfuges and alluring inducements held out to tempt from allegiance； they must give no heed。
It is not the open and avowed enemies of the cause of
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God that are most to be feared。 Those who； like the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin； come with smooth words and fair speeches； apparently seeking for friendly alliance with God's children； have greater power to deceive。 Against such every soul should be on the alert； lest some carefully concealed and masterly snare take him unaware。 And especially today； while earth's history is closing； the Lord requires of His children a vigilance that knows no relaxation。 But though the conflict is a ceaseless one； none are left to struggle alone。 Angels help and protect those who walk humbly before God。 Never will our Lord betray one who trusts in Him。 As His children draw near to Him for protection from evil； in pity and love He lifts up for them a standard against the enemy。 Touch them not； He says； for they are Mine。 I have graven them upon the palms of My hands。
Untiring in their opposition； the Samaritans 〃weakened the hands of the people of Judah； and troubled them in building； and hired counselors against them； to frustrate their purpose； all the days of Cyrus king of Persia； even until the reign of Darius。〃 Ezra 4：4； 5。 By false reports they aroused suspicion in minds easily led to suspect。 But for many years the powers of evil were held in check； and the people in Judea had liberty to continue their work。
While Satan was striving to influence the highest powers in the kingdom of Medo…Persia to show disfavor to God's people； angels worked in behalf of the exiles。 The controversy was one in which all heaven was interested。 Through the prophet Daniel we are given a glimpse of this mighty struggle between the forces of good and the forces of evil。
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For three weeks Gabriel wrestled with the powers of darkness； seeking to counteract the influences at work on the mind of Cyrus； and before the contest closed； Christ Himself came to Gabriel's aid。 〃The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days；〃 Gabriel declares； 〃but； lo； Michael； one of the chief princes； came to help me； and I remained there with the kings of Persia。〃 Daniel 10：13。 All that heaven could do in behalf of the people of God was done。 The victory was finally gained； the forces of the enemy were held in check all the days