A Decree to the Treasurers - Ezra 7:21

In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared how king Artaxerxes of Persia wrote to him in a letter, “whatsoever shall seem good to you, and to your brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God. The vessels also that are given you for the service of the house of your God, those deliver you before the God of Jerusalem. And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of your God, which you shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-one of Ezra, Ezra shared how Artaxerxes made, “a decree to all the treasurers” where we read,

And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,

The verse reads, “And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, ...”Ezra began with the words, “and I, even I Artaxerxes the king” which means “and I, Artaxerxes, also and indeed I Artaxerxes whose name means I will make the spoiled to boil or I will stir myself in winter who was the royal ruler and leader”, “do make a decree” which means “set, appoint and fix a judgment, command and discretion” “to all the treasurers” or “to each, every, the whole and everyone of the officers who had the charge of the royal treasures among the Persians” “which are beyond the river” which means “who exist across the large stream or Euphrates River”. Ezra shared how “Artaxerxes” appointed a command to every one of the officers who had charge of the royal treasures who were on the other side of the Euphrates River. 

The verse continues, “… that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,” Ezra added the words, “that whatsoever” which means “that whatever, the whole and all that” “Ezra the priest” or “Ezra, whose name means help and was the spiritual spokesman and leader”, “the scribe of the law” which means “the recorder, secretary and learned man pertaining to the decree, edict, counsel, plan and purpose” “of the God of heaven” or “belonging to the Supreme Deity within the visible sky, atmosphere and sidereal heaven where Jehovah God dwells and other spiritual beings” “shall require of you” which means “will ask, inquire about and demand from you, Ezra”, “it be done speedily” or “whatever Ezra had need of was to be obtained hastily and diligently”. Ezra shared how “Artaxerxes” commanded his “treasurers” to obtain in a hurried manner whatever Jehovah God in “heaven” demanded of “Ezra.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how “Artaxerxes” appointed another commandment to his officials who cared for the royal treasures that were on the other side of the Euphrates River, and he instructed them to provide whatever “Ezra the priest and scribe pertaining to Jehovah God's directives” asked of them in a hurried manner. God provided for His people Israel, and through “Ezra” (the helper), they would obtain what they needed. God sent His Holy Spirit into the world after the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus to come along side, be in and come upon anyone who puts their faith and trust in Him. When we yield to Jesus, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide for us in whatever ways He deems necessary and according to our needs. 

Next time Ezra shares how Artaxerxes writes about, “silver, wheat, wine, oil and salt”, 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".