In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared about, “the copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king: They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace”, and in chapter five and verse eight of Ezra, Ezra shared how the letter said, “be it known unto the king” where we read,
Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goes fast on, and prospers in their hands.
The verse reads, “Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, ...”Ezra began with the words, “be it known unto the king” which means “allow and permit the following be communicated, informing and certified to the royal ruler and leader”, “that we went into the province of Judea” which means “that we, Tatnai, Shetharboznai and their companions, entered the district and region belonging to Judea whose name means praised”, “to the house of the great God” or “to the habitation, abode and dwelling place belonging to the chief, master and Supreme Deity”. Ezra shared how “Tatnai, Shetharboznai and their companions” desired for “king Darius” to be informed how they entered “Judea” where the dwelling place of the Supreme God was located.
The verse goes on to say, “... which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls,” Ezra continued with the words, “which is builded with great stones” or “that is erected and made by the use of weighted and rolling stones or rocks”, “and timber” which means “and wood and beams”, “is laid in the walls” or “is set, appointed and fixed within the barrier walls”. Ezra shared how the “letter” also included information about how the people of Israel erected the temple and barrier walls with large rocks and wooden beams.
Finally the verse says, “... and this work goes fast on, and prospers in their hands.” Ezra concluded this verse with the words, “and this work goes fast on” which means “and the service, ritual, worship and administration of the building the temple and the walls is performed, wrought and carried out in a hurried manner”, “and prospers” or “and is advanced, promoted and successful” “in their hands” which means “within their, the people of Israel's, physical hands”. Ezra ended this verse by sharing how “Tatnai, Shetharboznai and their companions” declared that the service and building of the temple and the walls of Jerusalem was being carried out by the people of Israel in a hurried and successful manner.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how “Tatnai, Shetharboznai and their companions” complained to “Darius” about going to the region of Judah and discovering that the temple and the walls of Jerusalem were being constructed with large stones and wooden beams, and they saw how quickly the Jewish people were reconstructing their city with their physical hands. The people of Israel were not only successful, but they were also prospering in their work. The hand of Jehovah God was upon His people Israel, and because they obeyed His directive through Cyrus the king of Persia to rebuild, God was blessing them. God wants to bless us as well. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”, (See John 3:16) and when we receive Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the power through His Holy Spirit to accomplish His will and to be His successful witnesses in this world.
Next time Ezra shares how Tatnai told Darius that he asked the people of Israel, “who commanded you to build this house?”, 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