In the book of Ezra, Ezra said, “the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat, and kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel”, and in chapter seven and verse one of Ezra, began to share what happened, “after these things” where we read,
Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia,
Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, ...
The verse reads, “Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, ...” Ezra began with the words, “now after these things” which means “following and behind the words and directives of Artaxerxes”, “in the reign of Artaxerxes” which means “within the royal power, kingdom and dominion belonging to Artaxerxes whose name means 'I will make the spoiled to boil or I will stir myself in winter' and was the son and successor of Zerxes as emperor from 465-424 BC” “king of Persia” or “royal ruler and leader belonging to Persia whose name means pure or splendid and was the empire Persia; encompassed the territory from India on the east to Egypt and Thrace on the west, and included, besides portions of Europe and Africa, the whole of western Asia between the Black Sea, the Caucasus, the Caspian and the Jaxartes on the north, the Arabian desert, the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean on the south”. Ezra referred to the time following the commands and within the royal rule of “Artaxerxes king of Persia”.
The verse goes on to say, “ … Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, ...” Ezra continued with the word, “Ezra” which means “help” “the son of Seraiah” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Seraiah whose name means Jehovah is ruler and was the son of Azariah, father of Jehozadak, and the chief priest in the reign of king Zedekiah of Judah and at the time of the capture of Jerusalem”, “the son of Azariah” which means “the male offspring belonging to Azariah whose name means Jehovah has helped and was son of king Amaziah of Judah and king of Judah himself for fifty-two years; also 'Uzziah'”, “the son of Hilkiah” or “the male offspring belonging to Hilkiah whose name means my portion is Jehovah”. Ezra finally comes on the scene in person as he introduces himself as the offspring of “Seraiah, Azaria and Hilkiah”.
When we think through Ezra's words in this verse, we discover how “Ezra” introduces himself as he arrives in person in his book. He recorded the history of this season for Israel, and now was the time for the “helper” to arrive. In like manner, God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit, the helper, to guide us into all truth and to “help” us in our personal relationship with Him. Let all who read these words listen to the “helper”, the Holy Spirit, and receive Jesus Christ into their lives and to be lead by Him for all eternity. (See John 14:16-18)
Next time Ezra continues to share his lineage with the words, “the son of Shallum, Zadok and Ahitub”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment