The King sends Ezra to Jerusalem

EZRA Chapter 7


During the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, there was a man named Ezra. His lineage can be found in verses 2 through 5 and it seems he came down through the line of Aaron, the high priest. Ezra was a scribe, well versed in the law of Moses and when he came to Jerusalem from Babylon, the king gave him everything he asked for because the hand of God was upon him.

Ezra was determined to study and obey the law of the Lord and to teach those laws and regulations to the people of Israel. With him, he carried a letter from the King stating that any of the people of Israel including priests and Levites, could return to Jerusalem with Ezra. And the King instructed him to conduct an inquiry into the situation in Judah and Jerusalem, based on God's law. He further commissioned Ezra by presenting him with silver and gold as an offering to God and also gave him permission to take freewill offerings to purchase livestock, grain and drink offerings to be offered on the altar of the Temple in Jerusalem. The king also entrusted him with utensils for the Temple and with instructions that if he ran out of money, he could requisition from the royal treasury.

Artaxerxes also sent a message to all the treasurers in the province west of the Euphrates River to give Ezra whatever he requested, for he was a teacher and priest of the law of God in heaven. The king also decreed that no priest, Levite, singer, gatekeeper, Temple servant or other worker in the Temple be required to pay taxes.

The King told Ezra to use the wisdom of God to appoint magistrates and judges who know God's laws to govern all the people in the province west of the Euphrates River. He instructed him to teach those who did not know God's law and punish by death, banishment, confiscation of goods or imprisonment anyone who refused to obey the law of God.

Then Ezra praised the Lord who made the king want to beautify the Temple and for his unfailing love by honoring Ezra.Ezra felt encouraged because of the gracious hand of the Lord and he gathered up some of the leaders to return with him to Jerusalem.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: The King's generous decree showed that God was blessing Ezra and also indicated that Ezra was probably a prominent man in Artaxerxes kingdom. Ezra was willing to give up this position in order to return to the homeland and teach the Israelites God's law.

Why did the King exempt the Temple workers from taxes? He recognized that the priests and Levites filled an important role in society as spiritual leaders.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Just as God can change the heart of a great king, so too he can change our lives when we face challenges. Sometimes this takes hard work and a hard effort on our part, but we know that God is with us through it all. And with each small success, be sure to pray and thank God for his help. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother whose cancer has returned and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. Update on this family: Her mother in law Mary just had a stroke this week. They are being tested by God and need a wealth of prayers. Pray for them now! Pray that they can find a place for Mary that won’t bankrupt the family.
And pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.
Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.
Update on Marthaline Sargent. She lost her battle with health problems and passed away last Tuesday. Our condolences to her son Patrick and daughter Stacey. Continue to pray for her husband Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.
Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who will soon undergo chemo for his prostate cancer.
Pray for John’s recovery from a heart attack and pray he can stop smoking.
Pray for Debbie who lost her home in a fire last week.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.