In the Days of Artaxerxes - Ezra 4:7

In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared how the people of Israel were attempting to rebuild the temple of Jehovah God, however, adversaries and foes rose against them, “and in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem”, and in chapter four and verse seven of Ezra, Ezra shared what happened, “in the days of Artaxerxes” where we read,

And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.

The verse reads, “And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia;” Ezra began with the words, “and in the days of Artaxerxes” which means “and within the time period and season belonging to Artaxerxes whose name means I will make the spoiled to boil and was the son and successor of Xerxes as emperor of Persia from 465-424 BC” “wrote Bishlam” which means “inscribed, engraved, registered and recorded Bishlam whose name means in peace and was a Persian officer in Palestine”, “Mithredath”whose name means “given by Mithra who was a Persian officer stationed at Samaria”, “Tabeel” whose name means “God is good and was an officer of the Persian government in Samaria”, “and the rest of their companions” or “and the residue, remnant and remainder pertaining to their, “Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel's” associates and colleagues, “unto Artaxerxes”which means “to Artaxerxes whose name means I will make the spoiled to boil and was the son and successor of Xerxes as emperor of Persia from 465-424 BC” “king of Persia” or “royal ruler and leader belonging to Persia whose name means pure or splendid”. Ezra shared how “Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions” inscribed a letter to “Artaxerxes” who was the royal leader of “Persia”.

The verse goes on to say, “interpreted in the Syrian tongue.” Ezra continued with the word, “interpreted” or “translated” “in the Syrian tongue” which means “within the language of Aram which is Aramaic”. Ezra said the letter written by Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions” was translated into the “Syrian” language or “Aramaic”. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover through Ezra how these specific men,“Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions” conspired together to inscribe a letter of opposition against the children of Israel to “Artaxerxes” who was the current reigning king of Persia. Their tenacity was unrelenting, and should they have their way, the people of Israel would not have a temple or city in which to live. God knew this, and He was going to work out His plan of salvation for the people of Israel. They would suffer from this aggression, but eventually they would win. Jesus said, “... in the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (See John 16:33) and because He loves us, God sent Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone. When we surrender our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us by His Holy Spirit to overcome adversity and accusations that find their origin in our enemy the devil. (See Luke 22:31-32)

Next time Ezra shares what happened, “Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter”, 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".