In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared how the opposition to Israel sent a letter to the Artaxerxes king of Persia, “then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time. The letter which you sent unto us has been plainly read before me. And I commanded, and search has been made, and it is found that this city of old time has made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein”, and in chapter four and verse twenty of Ezra, Ezra said, “there have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem” where we read,
There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
The verse reads, “There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river;” Ezra began with the words, “there have been mighty kings” which means “there existed strong and powerful royal rulers and leaders” “also over Jerusalem” which means “even so and indeed above 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”, “which have ruled over all countries” or “who have each, every, the whole and everyone of the regions, territories, districts and people groups” “beyond the river” which means “across the stream or Euphrates River”. Ezra shared how “king Artaxerxes” acknowledged that strong and powerful royal rulers indeed ruled above “Jerusalem” and the regions surrounding them.
The verse goes on to say, “and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.” Ezra continued with words, “and toll” or “value and cost”, “tribute” which means “excise on articles consumed”, “and custom” or “and money for goods”, “was paid unto them” which means “was provided, given and delivered to them, the mighty kings”. Ezra shared how Artaxerxes discovered that “toll, tribute and custom” was delivered to the powerful rulers.
When we think through Ezra's words in this verse, we learn how king Artaxerxes discovered that mighty rulers governed over the people of Jerusalem, and the people of Israel gave these leaders costs, excise of articles consumed and money for goods. Jerusalem was at the center of the land which was given by God to the people of Israel, and He ultimately governed over them. God loves the people of Israel, and even when they have been under the leadership of other governors and kings, He knew their conditions. God loves us and knows us as well, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, He made it available for us to be forgiven of our sins and to inherit eternal life with God when we put our faith and trust in Him. Let all who read these words consider the love God has for Israel and also for us and our eternal fate.
Next time Ezra shares how the king says, “give you now commandment to cause these men to cease”, 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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