In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared how king Artaxerxes of Persia wrote in a letter to him, “Forasmuch as you are sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of your God which is in your hand. And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counselors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem, ...”, and in chapter seven and verse sixteen of Ezra, Ezra shared how Artaxerxes wrote about, “all the silver and gold that you can find in the province of Babylon” where we read,
And all the silver and gold that you can find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:
The verse reads, “And all the silver and gold that you can find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, ...” Ezra began with the words, “and all the silver and gold” which means “and each, every and the whole silver and gold metal” “that you can find” which means “that you, Ezra, are able to disclose and discover” “in all the province” or “in each, every and the whole of the district, land and country” “of Babylon” which means “belonging to Babylon whose name was known as Babel which means confusion (by mixing) and was the ancient site and/or capital of Babylonia (modern Hillah) situated on the Euphrates”, “with the freewill offering” or “accompanied by the willing volunteering” “of the people” which means “pertaining to the human beings of Israel both male and female”. Ezra shared how “Artaxerxes” instructed him to discover “all the silver and gold” that was within the region of “Babylon” which would accompany the voluntary giving of the people of Israel.
The verse goes on to say, “… and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:” Ezra continued with the words, “and of the priests” which means “and belonging to the spiritual leaders and spokesmen”,“offering willingly for the house” or “voluntarily freely on behalf of the habitation, abode and dwelling place” “of their God” which means “belonging to their Supreme Deity” “which is in Jerusalem” or “that exists within Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”. Ezra shared how “Artaxerxes” included the spiritual leaders who freely volunteered on behalf of the dwelling place of Jehovah God which is located in “Jerusalem”.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra that “Artaxerxes” instructed him to discover “all”of the gold and silver metal that was located in “Babylon” and to add it to to voluntary “offering” of the people of Israel and their “spiritual leaders” for the benefit of the dwelling place of Jehovah God in “Jerusalem”. God was providing for the people of Israel, and He was using this “pagan” king to furnish their supply. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us. He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide for us through friends, foes and whomever He chooses to make our way through this life.
Next time Ezra shares how Artaxerxes wrote, “so you may buy speedily with this money”, 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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