In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared how “Rehum and Shimshai” were as enemies and foes to Israel, and they wrote a letter to “Artaxerxes” the king of Persia in opposition to them which included the words, “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. That search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers: so shall you find in the book of records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed. We certify the king that, if this city be builded again,and the walls thereof set up, by this means you shall have no portion on this side the river”, and in chapter four and verse seventeen of Ezra, Ezra said, “then sent the king an answer” where we read,
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 verse reads, “Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, ...” Ezra began with the words, “then sent the king” which means “at that time dispatched and assigned the royal ruler and leader” “an answer to Rehum” which means “a decree, command and response to Rehum whose name means compassion and was the commander who wrote a letter to the king Artaxerxes in which he opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem” “the chancellor” or “owner or lord”, “and to Shimshai the scribe” which means “and toward Shimshai whose name means sunny and was the scribe for Rehum and satrap of Judea for the Persian government”. Ezra shared how “king Artaxerxes”dispatched a response to the letter from “Rehum and Shimshai”.
The verse continues, “... and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.” Ezra added the words, “and to the rest of their companions” or “and toward the remainder and residue pertaining to their, Rehum and Shimshai's, associates” “that dwell in Samaria” which means “who live, abide and inhabit Samaria whose name means watch mountain and was the region of northern Palestine associated with the northern kingdom of the ten tribes of Israel which split from the kingdom after the death of Solomon during the reign of his son Rehoboam and were ruled by Jeroboam”, “and unto the rest” or “and to the remainder and residue of the people” “beyond the river” which means “across and on the other side of the stream or Euphrates river”, “Peace, and at such a time” or “welfare, prosperity and well-being, and now and at the current time”. Ezra shared how “king Artaxerxes'” letter of response was “prosperity and well-being” at the present time and was also directed to the associates who lived in “Samaria” and across the Euphrates River.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how king “Artaxerxes” gave a response to the letter from “Rehum and Shimshai”, and he included their fellow associates who lived in “Samaria” as well as the other people groups who were dwelling on the western side of the Euphrates River. The response included prosperity and well-being to them for the present time, and we shall see what “Artaxerxes” adds in our next verse. For now let us consider the fact that the efforts of “Rehum, Shimshai and the others” produced the result they desired. Just because someone is unrighteous in their actions does not mean they shall will not temporarily reach their desired result, but we must remember, God is an eternal God. He wants us to live with Him forever, and because we have sin in our lives that separates us from Him, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us the value of knowing He will eventually overcome all temporary victories that our adversaries and foes have against us.
Next time Ezra said, “the letter … has been plainly read”, 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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