The Work Ceased - Ezra 4:24

In the book of Ezra, Ezra said, “Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power”, and in chapter four and verse twenty-four of Ezra, Ezra said, “then ceased the work of the house of God” where we read,

Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. 

So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

The verse reads, “Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem.” Ezra began with the words, “then ceased the work” which means “at that time and thereupon halted and stopped the service, ritual, worship and business” “of the house of God” which means “pertaining to the dwelling place, habitation and abode belonging to the Supreme Deity” “which is at Jerusalem” or “that is located in 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 worship and business of erecting the temple of Jehovah God in “Jerusalem” stopped.

The verse goes on to say, “So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.” Ezra continued with the words, “so it ceased” or “therefore the halting and stopping of the building of the temple continued” “unto the second year” which means “till the second annual passing of days” “of the reign of Darius” or “pertaining to the royalty and kingdom belonging to Darius whose name means lord and was known as Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, king of the Chaldeans, who succeeded to the Babylonian kingdom on the death of Belshazzar; probably the same as "Astyages" the last king of the Medes (538 BC)” “king of Persia” which means “royal ruler and leader belonging to Persia whose name means pure and splendid”. Ezra shared how the building of the temple of Jehovah God stopped up until the second annual passing of days belonging to “Darius” who ruled in “Persia”.

When we consider Ezra's words in this verse, we learn how the letter from “Rehum and Shimshai” accomplished it's purpose. “Artaxerxes” stopped the rebuilding of the temple of Jehovah God. God allowed this, and although we do not know why, we know He had a plan for the people of Israel. Sometimes things do not go our way, and we wonder, “where is God in all this”? When these times come, we should be reminded that He sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for our sins. That event may have appeared like a failure upon first glance, but it was God's plan of salvation for all mankind. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth even when our plans are halted, delayed or spoiled. 

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Ezra share about, “Haggai and Zechariah”, 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".