In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared how “Rehum and Shimshai” were enemies and foes to Israel, and they wrote a letter to“Artaxerxes” the king of Persia in opposition to them. “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. 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”, and in chapter four and verse fourteen of Ezra, Ezra shared how “Rehum and Shimshai” said they sent the letter, “because we have maintenance from the king's palace” where we read,
Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonor, therefore have we sent and certified the king;
The verse reads, “Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonor ...” Ezra began with the words, “now because we have maintenance” which means “at this time since and on account that we, Rehum, Shimshai, the rest of their companions and other people groups from west of the Euphrates River in the area of Samaria, obtain and possess obligations of loyalty” “from the king's palace” which means “separate and apart from the royal ruler and leader's temple”, “and it was not meet for us” or “and it was not suitable, fitting or proper on behalf of us, Rehum, Shimshai and the rest” “to see the king's dishonor” which means “to behold, witness or gaze upon the royal ruler and leader's nakedness or disgrace”. Ezra shared how the reason “Rehum, Shimshai, their companions and the others” wrote to “Artaxerxes” was on account that they were obligated to be loyal to him and not to allow him to be disgraced.
The verse continues, “.. therefore have we sent and certified the king;” Ezra added the words, “therefore have we sent” or “wherefore, then and for this reason we, Rehum, Shimshai, their companions and the others, have dispatched and put forth” “and certified” which means “and informed and caused” “the king” or “the royal ruler and leader” to know these things. Ezra said because “Rehum, Shimshai, their companions and the others” considered themselves to be loyal to “Artaxerxes” they dispatched their letter informing him of the behavior of the children of Israel.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra the reasons given by “Rehum, Shimshai, their companions and the others” for sending the letter to “Artaxerxes”. They considered themselves to be loyalists to the king, and because they did not want him to be disgraced, they sent the letter informing him of the “rebellious and bad”behavior of the Jewish people. It is amazing how an enemy can accuse so easily, (See Revelation 12:10) and whenever a person makes a decision to receive Jesus Christ as their “Savior and Lord”, immediately charges are brought against them. God knows these things, and He sent Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we believe and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and assure us that all our sin was put upon Jesus when He was crucified in our place. (See 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 1:7)
Next time Ezra shares how the letter writer desired, “that search may be made in the book of records of the fathers”, 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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