Managing the Opposition - Ezra 6:6

In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared how “Darius the king of Persia” called for a search to be made of the record books concerning the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, and, “there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written. In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits. With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house. And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God”, and in chapter six and verse six of Ezra, Ezra shares how Darius told , “Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites” what to do where we read,

Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be you far from thence:

The verse reads, “Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, ...” Ezra began with the words, “now therefore” which means “at this time wherefore, then and on this account”, “Tatnai” whose name means “gift” and was “a Persian governor in Syria who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem”, “governor beyond the river” or “captain and overseer on the other side of the stream or Euphrates River”, “Shetharboznai” whose name means “star of splendor and was a Persian officer in the reign of Darius”, “and your companions” or “and your, Tatnai and Sheharboznai's, associates and fellows” “the Apharsachites” whose name means “as causers of division”. Ezra shared how “Darius” began to give instructions to “Tatnai, Shetharboznai and their associates” who were the causers of division. 

The verse goes on to say, “... which are beyond the river, be you far from thence:” Ezra continued with the words, “which are beyond the river” or “that exist west of, across and over the stream or Euphrates river”, “be you far from thence”which means “stay away from the temple at Jerusalem”. Ezra shared how “Darius, the king of Persia” told “Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai and his companions the Apharsachites” to keep away from the sacred worship place in Jerusalem. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover through Ezra how “Darius” confirmed the words spoken by the people of Israel concerning “Cyrus” commissioning the rebuilding of their temple and restoring of the utensils within it. He also instructed “Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and his companions the Apharsachites” to keep away from the “temple” located in Jerusalem. God's will was being done, and no one would stop it. God desires to a have a personal intimate relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead three days later. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and defend and protect us as we continue in alignment with His purpose and will for our lives. 

Next time Ezra shares how Darius says, “let the work of this house of God alone”, 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".