In the book of Ezra, Ezra said, “Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel. Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time. I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with you”, and in chapter seven and verse fourteen of Ezra, Ezra shared how Artaxerxes wrote, “forasmuch as you are sent of the king” where we read,
Forasmuch as you are sent of the king, and of his seven counselors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of your God which is in your hand;
The verse reads, “Forasmuch as you are sent of the king, and of his seven counselors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, ...” Ezra began with the words, “forasmuch as you are sent” which means “inasmuch and in the same manner and likeness that you, Ezra, are dispatched and assigned” “of the king” which means “pertaining to the royal ruler and leader”, “and of his seven counselors” or “and pertaining to his, Artaxerxes', seven consultants and advisers”, “to inquire” which means “to seek and make a search” “concerning Judah” or “about Judah whose name means praised and is the territory of the tribe of Judah” “and Jerusalem” whose name means “teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”. Ezra shared how “Artaxerxes” and his “seven” advisors dispatched him to search out “Judah and Jerusalem”.
The verse goes on to say, “… according to the law of your God which is in your hand;” Ezra continued with the words, “according to the law” which means “in keeping with the decree, command and directive” “of your God” or “belonging to your, Ezra's, Supreme Deity” “which is in your hand” which means “that is within your Ezra's, power and might”. Ezrashared how he and the people of Israel were dispatched by “Artaxerxes” and his seven advisers in keeping with Jehovah God's directives which were within the authority of Ezra.
When we consider the words in this verse, we discover through Ezra how “Artaxerxes” and his seven advisers dispatched him to make a search of “Judah and Jerusalem” in keeping with Jehovah God's “law”. Although “Artaxerxes” was the agent God used to assign “Ezra” to “Jerusalem”, God was directing “Ezra's” steps. God had a plan for the people of Israel, and this plan included “Ezra” being one of their spiritual leaders. God wants us to know He has a plan for our lives as well, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind to prove His love toward us. When we surrender our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and guide us, (sometimes using other people), by His Holy Spirit to fulfill His will and purpose for our lives.
Next time Ezra shares how Artaxerxes wrote in the letter, “carry the silver and gold”, 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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