In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared how “Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai and their companions” wrote a letter to king Darius of Persia which included the information that, “in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God. And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor. And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place. Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished. Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter”, and in chapter six and verse one of Ezra, Ezra shared how, “Darius the king made a decree” where we read,
Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls,
where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.
The verse reads, “Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, ...” Ezra began with the words, “then Darius the king” which means “at that time and moment Darius whose name means lord who was Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, king of the Chaldeans who succeeded to the Babylonian kingdom on the death of Belshazzar ; probably the same as “Astyages” the last king of the Medes (538 BC) and was the royal ruler and leader of Persia” “made a decree” which means “set, fixed and appointed a judgment, discretion or command”, “and search was made” or “and an inquiry was performed” “in the house of the rolls” which means “within the dwelling place of the scrolls or books”. Ezra shared how “Darius the king of Persia” commanded that an inquiry be performed within the dwelling place where the scrolls and books were kept.
The verse continues, “... where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.” Ezra added the words, “where the treasures” or “in the place and location that valuables and riches” “were laid up” which means “were kept and stored” “in Babylon” or “within Babylon whose name means confusion (by mixing) and was known as “Babel or Babylon, the ancient site and/or capital of Babylonia (modern Hillah) situated on the Euphrates River”. Ezra shared how the “inquiry” was made in the place that the valuable books and riches were stored within “Babylon”.
When we meditate upon Ezra's words in this verse, we discover how “Darius” ordered that an inquiry be performed within the location where the “books” and valuables were kept in “Babylon”. Step by step the order of Jehovah God was being revealed for the people of Israel, and although they may have been unaware, God was using each of these people and actions to fulfill His purpose and will. God loves Israel, and although He does not always work instantly, He is still working. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He consistently works to draw people unto Himself so they will believe and trust in Him as their “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of their sins and receive everlasting life. God is working on our behalf, and when we surrender to Him, we can “search” His book, the Bible, to discover He has made the way for us to live with Him forever and ever.
Next time Ezra shares what, “was found at Achmetha”, 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