In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared how the elders asked, “Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls? We asked their names also, to certify you, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them. And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up. But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon”, and in chapter five and verse thirteen of Ezra, Ezra shares how the people of Israel added what happened, “in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon” where we read,
But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus
made a decree to build this house of God.
The verse reads, “But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus ...” Ezra began with the words, “but in the first year of Cyrus” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover within the initial annual number of sunrises to sunsets belonging to Cyrus whose name means possess you the furnace” “the king of Babylon” which means “the royal ruler and leader belonging to Babylon whose name means confusion (by mixing) which was Babel or Babylon the ancient site and/or capital of Babylonia (modern Hillah) situated on the Euphrates” “the same king Cyrus” or “the identical and selfsame royal ruler and leader Cyrus” who did the following. Ezra shared how “Tatnai, Shetharboznai and their companions” included in the letter how “Cyrus” the royal ruler in “Babylon” made the following decree in the initial year of his reign.
The verse continues, “... made a decree to build this house of God.” Ezra added the words, “made a decree” or “and set, appointed and gave a judgment, command and discretion”, “to build the house” which means “to make, erect and construct the habitation, abode and dwelling place” “of God” or “belonging to the Supreme Deity”. Ezra shared how “Tatnai, Shetharboznai and their companions” included the appointed command of Cyrus who instructed the people of Israel to rebuild the dwelling place of the Supreme God who is Jehovah God.
When we think through the words in this verse, we discover through Ezra more of the content within the letter from “Tatnai, Shetharboznai and their companions”. They relayed how “Cyrus, the royal ruler of Persia” gave the declaration to the people of Israel to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple there. All of these words actually validated the work of Israel, but this continued to be an appeal to cease their work. God was aware of this letter even as He knows everything we encounter. He gave His Only Begotten Son Jesus to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth according to His Divine will and purpose for our lives.
Next time Ezra shares about, “vessels also of gold and silver”, 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