In the book of Ezra, Ezra said after the altar was rebuilt in Jerusalem, the priests began to offer sacrifices and, “afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD. From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid”, and in chapter three and verse seven of Ezra, Ezra shared how the priests, “gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters” where we read,
They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
The verse reads, “They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters;” Ezra began with the words, “they gave money also” which means “they, the priests, even so and indeed granted, bestowed and provided silver shekels or talents” “unto the masons” which means “to the people who quarry, dig out, hew and carve”, “and to the carpenters” or “and to the craftsmen, artisans, engravers and artificers”. Ezra shared how the priests provided silver talents to people who quarry, carve and were engravers and artificers.
The verse continues, “and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, ...” Ezra added the words, “and meat” or “and fruit or food”, “and drink” which means “and banquet or feasting drink”, “and oil” or “and medicament or unguent”, “unto them of Zidon” which means “to the people belonging to Zidon or the Sidonians whose name means hunting”, “and to them of Tyre” or “and toward the people belonging to Tyre whose name means to distress”, “to bring cedar trees from Lebanon” which means “to carry, enumerate and carry trees of cedar wood separate and apart from Lebanon whose name means whiteness and was a wooded mountain range in Palestine on the northern border of Israel” “to the sea of Joppa” or “to the large body of water belonging to Joppa or Japho whose name means beautiful and was a town on the southwest coast of Palestine in the territory of Dan which became the primary port of Jerusalem during reign of Solomon”. Ezra shared how “food, drink and oil” were given to the people of Zidon and Tyre so they would transport “cedar trees” from the area of “Lebanon” to the large body known as the “sea of Jopah”.
Finally the verse says, “... according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.” Ezra concluded this verse with the words, “according to the grant” which means “in keeping with the permission” “that they had of Cyrus” or “that they, the people of Israel, owned, possessed and held with Cyrus whose name means possess you the furnace” “king of Persia” which means “royal ruler and leader of Persia, whose name means pure or splendid, conqueror of Babylon and was the first ruler of Persia to make a decree allowing the Israelite exiles to return to Jerusalem”. Ezra ended this verse by referring to the people of Israel keeping the commission given to them by “Cyrus” who was the royal ruler “of Persia”.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how funds were provided to people who were “masons and carpenters”, and food, drink and unguent were provided to the people in “Zidon and Tyre” to transport cedar wood from “Lebanon” to the large body of water in the northern area of “Joppa”. They were given permission to by “Cyrus”who ruled over “Persia” to act upon these things, and they did. God was at work reestablishing His relationship with the people of Israel, and they were complying with His desires. God wants a personal intimate relationship with us as well, and He provided His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind to prove it. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a passion for building and providing for His Kingdom in whatever way He desires.
Next time Ezra shared what happened, “in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem”, 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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