In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared how “Rehum and Shimshai” opposed the children of Israel, and they wrote a letter to the royal ruler named “Artaxerxes” of Persia. “This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Your servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time. Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from you to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations”, and in chapter four and verse thirteen of Ezra, Ezra shared what “Rehum and Shimshai” said would happen, “if this city be builded” where we read,
Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again,
then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so you shall endamage the revenue of the kings.
The verse reads, “Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, ...” Ezra began with the words, “be it known unto the king” which means “allow and permit the following to inform and certify to the royal ruler and leader”, “that, if this city be builded” which means “that whether and in case this dwelling, habitation, town and living place is made, erected and established”, “and the walls set up again” or “and the barrier walls are finished and completed another time” the following will occur. Ezra shared how the letter written by “Rehum and Shimshai” to “Artaxerxes” was to inform him of what would happen in the case that Jerusalem and it's barrier walls were to be reestablished.
The verse goes on to say, “... then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so you shall endamage the revenue of the kings.” Ezra continued with the words, “then will they not pay toll” or “at that time shall they, the people of Israel, in no way or manner give or bestow money for value and cost”, “tribute” which means “excise on articles consumed”, “and custom” or “and money for goods”, “and so you shall endamage” which means “and therefore you, Artaxerxes, will suffer injury, hurt and damage toward” “the revenue of the kings” or “the tax income and treasuries, belonging to the royal ruler and leader”. Ezra said should the city, temple and walls of Jerusalem be allowed to be rebuilt, the people of Israel would in no way give or bestow money for costs, excise on articles consumed or money for goods, and this would cause injury and harm to the income belonging to the royal realm of “Artaxerxes”.
When we consider the words in this verse, we discover through Ezra the desire of “Rehum, Shimshai and the others who agreed with this letter”. They wanted “Artaxerxes” to stop the building of the temple, the city and the barrier walls of Jerusalem, and they said there would no longer be any collection of “taxes and revenues” from the people of Israel if the city was rebuilt. This would cost the royal realm of “Artaxerxes”. Paul the apostle wrote, “the love of money is the root of all evil” (See 1 Timothy 6:10), and because money can include such a strong drive of sin to preserve it or gain more, “Rehum and Shimshai” appealed to the nature of “Artaxerxes”. God knows every person sins, and those sins lead to death. (See Romans 3:20,23; 6:23) This is why He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we surrender our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us the value of loving and following Him and not the temporary things of value within this world.
Next time Ezra shares what happens, “because we have maintenance from the king's palace”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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