In the book of Ezra, Ezra said, “Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him our of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore. And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing. Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law”, and in chapter ten and verse four of Ezra, Ezra said, “Arise; for this matter belongs to you”, where we read,
Arise; for this matter belongs unto you: we also will be with you: be of good courage, and do it.
The verse reads, “Arise; for this matter belongs unto you: we also will be with you:” Ezra began with the word, “arise”or “rise, stand up and come on the scene”; “for this matter” or “because, since and on account that the covenant agreement with Israel” “belongs unto you” which means “is possessed by you, people of Israel”: “we also will be with you” or “we, Shechaniah, one of the sons of Elam even and indeed shall exist alongside and accompanying you, people of Israel who committed to the covenant with God”. Ezra shared how Shechaniah and one of the sons of Elam called upon the people of Israel to rise up because the covenant agreement between them and Jehovah God was possessed by them, and Shechaniah and one of the sons of Elam were going to accompany the people of Israel.
The verse continues, “be of good courage, and do it.” Ezra added the words, “be of good courage” which means “exist as strengthened, hardened, firm and resolute”, “and do it” or “and perform the covenant agreement”. Shechaniah and one of the sons of Elam exhorted the people of Israel to be resolute and strong in their performance of the covenant they made with Jehovah God.
When we think through Ezra's words in this verse, we learn how Shechaniah and one of the sons of Elam directed the people of Israel to be resolute in caring for their responsibility in their agreement with God, and God wants us to do the same. God desires to have a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to help us be strong and resolute in our commitment with Him.
Next time Ezra says he, “made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel to swear”, 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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