Set Magistrates and Judges - Ezra 7:25

In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared how king Artaxerxes of Persia wrote in a letter to him, “we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-five of Ezra, Ezra shared how Artaxerxes said, “Ezra … set magistrates and judges” where we read,

And you, Ezra, after the wisdom of your God, that is in your hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of your God; and teach you them that know them not.

The verse reads, “And you, Ezra, after the wisdom of your God, that is in your hand, set magistrates and judges, ...” Ezra began with the words, “and you, Ezra” which means “and you Ezra whose name means help”, “after the wisdom” which means “following the sapience, cognitive content and wiseness” “of your God” or “belonging to your, Ezra's, Supreme Deity”, “that is in your hand” which means “that exists within your, Ezra's, power, might and ability”, “set magistrates” or “put, fix and establish jurists and justices” “and judges” which means “and official evaluators”. Ezra shared how“Artaxerxes” ordered him to follow the wise ways belonging to His Supreme Deity to use his power and ability to appoint “magistrates and judges” to do the following. 

The verse continues, “... which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of your God;” Ezra added the words, “which may judge” which means “that might adjudicate and bring justice to” “all the people” or “each, every, the whole and everyone of the human beings both male and female” “that are beyond the river”which means “who exist across the stream or Euphrates River”, “all such as know the laws” or “each, every, the whole and everyone of the decrees” “of your God” which means “belonging to your, Ezra's, Supreme Deity”. Ezra shared how “Artaxerxes” commissioned Ezra to have the “magistrates and judges” to bring justice and adjudication according to the directives and instructions belonging to the people of Israel's Supreme Deity over everyone of the people who lived across the Euphrates River. 

Finally the verse reads, “and teach you them that know them not.” Ezra concluded this verse with the words, “and teach you them” which means “and give instruction, guidance and direction you, Ezra, to them, the people who are as follows” “that know them not” or “who are unaware of them, the laws of God”. Ezra ended this verse with Artaxerxes command for him to give instruction to the people who were unaware of the “laws of God”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how “Artaxerxes” was used by God to cause the people of Israel to have law and order, and there were “magistrates and judges” who would assure that they people followed the ways of God. Ezra was to give instruction concerning the “laws of God” to people who were unaware of them as well. God loves people, and because He loves us, He gives us laws of protection and provision as well as enforcers of those commands if we disobey or ignore them. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for all who have sinned and violated His commands, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us through His Holy Spirit how to keep His law, live under His rulers and have his “wisdom”should we need to make judgments over people who violate His laws and to teach others who are unaware of them. 

Next time Ezra shares how Artaxerxes says what to do with, “whosoever will not do the law of your God”, 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".