In the Reign of Ahasuerus - Ezra 4:6

In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared how the people of Israel were attempting to rebuild the temple of Jehovah God, however, “the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, and hired counselors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia”, and in chapter four and verse six of Ezra, Ezra shared what happened, “in the reign of Ahasurerus” where we read,

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.

The verse reads, “And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, ...” Ezra began with the words, “and in the reign of Ahasuerus” which means “and within the royal power and kingdom belonging to Ahasuerus whose name means I will be silent and poor and was the title for the king of Persia which was probably Xerxes”, “in the beginning” which means “within the start and initiation” “of his reign” or “pertaining to his, Ahasuerus', royal power and kingdom”. Ezra referred to the start of the royal power and kingdom belonging to “Ahasuerus” which was most likely Xerses. 

The verse continues, “... wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.” Ezra added the words, “wrote they unto him” or “inscribed, engraved, registered and recorded with letters and words, they, the enemies and foes of Israel, to Ahasuerus” “an accusation” which means “an opposing enmity” “against the inhabitants” or “in opposition to the dwellers, abiders and ones who remained” “of Judah” which means “belonging to Judah whose name means praised and is the kingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split upon the death of Solomon” “and Jerusalem” or “and Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”. Ezra shared how the enemies of Israel inscribed an opposing letter to “Ahasuerus” against “Judah and Jerusalem”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how the adversaries and foes of Israel were relentless in their efforts to stop the children of Israel from building their city and the temple of Jehovah God. They inscribed an accusatory letter to “Ahasuerus” against the people of Israel which was intended to cause them to cease from their efforts to build the house of God. When God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, He gave every person an opportunity to receive Him as their “Savior and Lord”. When we do, we will be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given the power to overcome our adversary the devil when he or his agents attack our faith in Him. 

Next time Ezra shares what happened, “in the days of Artaxerxes”, 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".