In the book of Ezra, Ezra said, “Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which has put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-eight of Ezra, Ezra said God, “has extended mercy unto me before the king” where we read,
And has extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.
The verse reads, “And has extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty princes.” Ezra began with the words, “and has extended mercy unto me” which means “and has stretched out, inclined and applied goodness, kindness and faithfulness to me, Ezra” “before the king” which means “in front, in the presence and of the royal ruler and leader”, “and his counselors” or “and his, the royal ruler and leader's, advisors and consultants”, “and before all the king's mighty princes” which means “and in front and in the presence of the royal ruler and leader's powerful, strong and brave chieftains, officials, vassals, nobles and overseers”. Ezra shared how the royal ruler stretched out goodness and faithfulness to him in front of his advisors and in the presence of everyone of the royal ruler's powerful and brave officials.
The verse goes on to say, “And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.” Ezra added the words, “and I was strengthened” which means “and I, Ezra, became strong, prevailed and was resolute, firm and courageous” “as the hand of the LORD” or “because the power, might and strength belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “my God” which means “my, Ezra's, Supreme Deity” “was upon me” or “was on me, Ezra”, “and I gathered together” which means “and I, Ezra, collected and assembled” “out of Israel” or “from Israel whose name means God prevails and was the name of the descendants and the nation of descendants of Jacob” “chief men” which means “tip top, upper, choicest, best and head male human beings” “to go up with me” or “to depart and ascend alongside and accompanying me, Ezra”.Ezra shared how he became strong and courageous because Jehovah God's power and might resided upon him, and he assembled the choice and best men from “Israel” to accompany him back to “Jerusalem”.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Ezra acknowledged that Jehovah God was responsible for his favor and goodness from king “Artaxerxes”. Because of this, Ezra was bold and courageous, and he assembled the best of the “men” of Israel to accompany him back to “Jerusalem”. God was reestablishing the city, His temple and His worship, and Ezra chose who the people were that would carry out these activities. God invites everyone to be a part of His Kingdom through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide us with “mercy” and strength to serve in His Kingdom according to His Divine purpose and plan.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Ezra say, “these are now the chief of their fathers”, 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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