Ezra 4:3
But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.
Zerubbabel and Jeshua, with the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, refused the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin any part with them in building the house of God at Jerusalem. Those adversaries were the Samaritans, the people of the land, and the answer given them was that they had nothing to do together in the work, but that Israel themselves together would build unto the Lord God of Israel as Cyrus king of Persia had commanded.
Those who made the offer claimed to seek God and to share in temple worship, offering to build with Israel and declaring that they sacrificed to Him, with professed friendship and help. Yet they were a mixed people who remained idolaters in heart and practice, not worshipers of the true God but opposers of Him who served other gods. Their profession did not make them true worshipers, for they were not counted as worshipers of the true God.
Their offer of help was insincere, and professed friendship and offers of help did not change that standing. God does not need the aid of His enemies to establish His worship, and He does not ask for nor accept the sacrifice of wickedness or the offerings of those who have other gods before Him. His worship was not to be established with the help of those who opposed Him or served other gods.
Accepting the offer would have opened a door for the entrance of idolatry and opened the way for idolatrous influence upon the temple work. Joining with such apparent generosity could draw God's people into compromise, for flattering offers from opponents of truth can bring spiritual ruin. Guarding the work therefore required refusing alliance rather than yielding to generosity that would corrupt worship.
The refusal teaches trust in God alone and strict obedience to His plain commands rather than seeking or receiving help through alliance with those who do not serve Him. Help gained by such alliance would have been as nothing compared with the blessing of following Jehovah's commands, and strict obedience promised greater prosperity than alliance could give. This held even though only a small remnant had returned to do a work seemingly beyond their strength, resting on belief that God will defend and prosper His servants as they seek Him by fasting and prayer rather than joining with outsiders.
The verse means God's people must not unite with unbelievers in anything relating to His worship or the restoration of His worship, even when friendship and help are promised. They must guard their allegiance rather than conform to the world to gain influence. The Creator needs no help from His enemies to establish His worship.
The refusal led to bitter hostility between the two peoples. Afterward the Samaritans built a rival temple on Mount Gerizim.