In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared how the people of Israel told “Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai and their companions”, “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 has it been in building, and yet it is not finished”, and in chapter five and verse seventeen of Ezra, Ezra shared how “Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai and their companions” said, “if it seem good to the king” where we read,
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.
The verse reads, “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, ...” Ezra began with the words, “Now therefore” which means “at this time, wherefore, then and on this account”, “if it seem good to the king” which means “whether and in case the following appears pleasant, agreeable and fine to the royal ruler and leader, Darius”, “let there be search made” or “allow and permit there to be an inquiry” “in the king's treasure house” which means “within the royal ruler and leaders' wealthy, rich and valuable dwelling place, abode and habitation”, “which is there at Babylon” or “that exists 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”, “whether it be so” which means “if and in case the appeal by the people of Israel is actually valid and true”. Ezra shared how “Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai and their companions” appealed to king “Darius” to make an examination of the historical records within the valuable dwelling place located in “Babylon” to discover whether the people of Israel were speaking the truth.
The verse goes on to say, “... 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.” Ezra continued with the words, “that a decree” or “that a command or directive” “was made of Cyrus the king” which means “was set out, fixed, appointed and laid” “to build this house of God” or “to erect, establish and reconstruct this habitation, abode and dwelling place belonging to the Supreme Deity Jehovah God” “at Jerusalem” which means “in Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and was the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”, “and let the king” or “and allow and permit the royal ruler and leader to” “send his pleasure to us” or “assign and dispatch his, the royal ruler and leader's will and desire to us, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai and their companions” “concerning this matter” which means “about this account, subject, topic and concern”. Ezra added how “Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai and their companions” wanted the inquiry to be made concerning this subject and that “Cyrus” did in fact make the decree to erect the sacred worship place within “Jerusalem”.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how “Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai and their companions” wanted king “Darius of Persia” to make an inquiry concerning the words declared to them by the people of Israel. They sought to discover whether there truly was a commission given by “Cyrus” the king to rebuild the “temple at Jerusalem”. They shall discover there was a decree given, and Darius would carry it out according to the law of the Persians which declared that once a law or decree was written, it could not be altered. God was watching over Israel, and His will would be done. He watches over us as well, and when we realize He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, we have the opportunity to believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”. When we do, our sins will be forgiven, we shall be granted everlasting life and He will come to our defense any time adversaries and foes rise up against us.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Ezra share how, “Darius the king made a decree”, 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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