SCRIPTURE: EZRA 7
Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. In the 7th year of king Artaxerxes, Ezra, a teacher well versed in the law of Moses came up from Babylon to Jerusalem together with sons of the Israelites including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers and temple servants. They arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the 4th month.
KING ARTAXERXES’ LETTER TO EZRA (vs. 11-28)
Here is the letter king Artaxerxes to Ezra:
“Any Israelites, including priests and Levites who wish to go to Jerusalem with you may go. You are to take the silver and gold the king give you and those obtain from the province of Babylon, as well as the freewill offerings of the people and priests for the temple of their God in Jerusalem. With this money, be sure to buy mules, rams and male lambs, together with their grain offering and drink offering and sacrifice them in the altar of the temple of your God in Jerusalem.
For the rest of the silver and gold, you and your brother may do whatever seem best in accordance with the will of your God. Deliver to the god of Jerusalem all the articles entrusted to you for worship in the temple of your God. And anything else needed for the temple of your God that you may have occasion to supply, you may provide from the royal treasury.
Now I king Artaxerxes, order all the treasurers of Trans-Euphrates to provide with diligence whatever Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law of the god of heaven may ask of you – up to a hundred talents of silver, a hundred cors of wheat, a hundred baths of wine, a hundred baths of olive oil, and sale without limit. Whatever the god of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the god of heaven. Why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and of his sons? You are also to know that you have no authority to impose taxes, tribute or duty on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants or other workers at this house of God.
And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God, which you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people of Trans-Euphrates – all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach any who do no know them. Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king must surely be punished by death, banishment, confiscation or property or imprisonment.” (vs. 13-26)
Ezra thanked God for putting it into the kings heart to bring home to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. God had extended good favor to Ezra before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. With the hand of the Lord, Ezra took courage to gather leading men from Israel to go up with him.
THOUGHTS:
The remnants of Israel needed “spiritual guidance”. And Ezra was a priest scribe to assist the people in their spiritual needs. King Artaxerxes of Persia permitted Ezra to go to the land. It took him four months for the journey of nearly a thousand miles. The hand of the Lord was with Ezra and he prospered.
Ezra demonstrated how a gifted Bible teacher can move God’s people forward. He was effective because he obeyed the laws that he taught and shoed a good example for people to follow.
Artaxerxes exempt temple workers from paying taxes because he recognize the important roles that they played in the society. Today, churches have the responsibility to keep worldly burdens from the shoulder of spiritual workers.
Ezra praised God for all that God had done for him and through him. He had honored God through his life and gave all glory to Him. We must also be grateful to God for our success We should praise and thank Him for everything we have.