The steady advancement made by the builders of the temple greatly discomfited and alarmed the hosts of evil. Satan determined to put forth still further effort to weaken and discourage God's people by holding before them their imperfections of character. If those who had long suffered because of transgression could again be induced to disregard God's commandments, they would be brought once more under the bondage of sin.

Det vakte stor skuffelse og uro blandt ondskabens hære, at arbejdet med templet skred støt fremad. Satan besluttede nu at gøre endnu mere for at slå modet ned hos Guds folk. Han ville pege på deres karaktermangler, Hvis han kunne få de mennesker, som havde lidt så længe for deres synders skyld, til at overtræde Guds bud på ny, ville de atter blive syndens slaver.