In the book of Ezra, Ezra gathered the “chief men” who were to return to Jerusalem with him, and among them were “the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name. Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-one of Ezra, Ezra said, “I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers” where we read,
For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.
The verse reads, “For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way:” Ezra began with the words, “for I was ashamed” which means “because, since and on account that I, Ezra, was put to shame, disconcerted and confounded” “to require of the king” or “to ask, borrow or beg pertaining to the royal ruler and leader” “a band of soldiers” which means “an efficient, strong and mighty army” “and horsemen” or “and riders of warhorses” “to help us against the enemy” which means “to give aid and assistance to us, Ezra and the chief men, in opposition to the hateful adversary and foe” “in the way” or “within the pathway, road, journey and course”. Ezra shared how he was confounded and put to shame to ask the royal ruler for an army of “soldiers” and “horsemen” to protect them from the adversary or foe who might be in their path back to Jerusalem.
The verse goes on to say, “because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him;” Ezra continued with the words, “because we had spoken unto the king” which means “since and on account that we, Ezra and the chief men, made an utterance, declared and proclaimed to the royal leader and ruler”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “the hand of our God” which means “the power, might and strength belonging to our, Ezra and the chief men's, Supreme Deity” “is upon all them for good” or “exists on each, every, the whole and everyone of them with pleasantness, agreeableness and excellence” “that seek him” which means “who exact, search for and request of him, the Supreme Deity Jehovah”. Ezra shared how he did not want to ask the king for an army to accompany him and the “chief men” because he had told the royal ruler that Jehovah God's hand of power and might was pleasant and agreeable to every person who searched for Him.
Finally the verse says, “but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.” Ezra concluded this verse with the words, “but his power” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover his, Jehovah God's, might and strength” “and his wrath” or “and his, Jehovah God's, anger that wrinkles the nostrils and nose” “is against all them” which means “exists in opposition to everyone of the people” “that forsake him” or “who leaves, refuses and departs from him, Jehovah God”. Ezra ended this verse by sharing how Jehovah God's strength and might opposes every person who leaves and forsakes Him.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how he was embarrassed to ask the royal ruler for a protective army of “soldiers and horsemen” since he already told Him God's might would be toward everyone who diligently searched for him. He also added that God's strength and anger would rise up in opposition to every person who leaves or refuses Him. God wants to save every person from the penalty for sins which is death, (See Romans 6:23) and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind to prove it. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and demonstrate His “power”and ability not only to protect us in this life, but also to provide us with His goodness and blessing in the life to come.
Next time Ezra says, “we fasted and besought our God for this”, 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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