Silver, Wheat, Wine, Oil and Salt - Ezra 7:22

In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared how king Artaxerxes of Persia wrote in a letter to him, “I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily, ...”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-two of Ezra, Ezra shared how Artaxerxes wrote about, “silver, wheat, wine, oil and salt” where we read,

Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.

The verse reads, “Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, ...” Ezra began with the words, “unto an hundred talents” which means “up unto the amount of one hundred circular monies or pounds” “of silver” which means “pertaining to silver metal”, “and to an hundred measures” or “and up unto one hundred kor or about 6.25 bushels” “of wheat” which means “pertaining to wheat grain”, “and to an hundred baths” or “and unto one hundred units or about 40 liters” “of wine” which means “of liquid fruit of the vine”. Ezra shared how “Artaxerxes” ordered his “treasurers” to provide up to “one hundred talents of silver, one hundred bushels of wheat grain and one hundred or forty liter amounts of fruit of the vine. 

The verse goes on to say, “… and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.” Ezra continued the words, “and to an hundred baths” which means “and unto one hundred or forty liters” “of oil” or “pertaining to anointing oil”, “and salt without prescribing how much” which means “and salt without any limits”. Ezra shared how “Artaxerxes”also included “one hundred baths or forty liters of anointing oil” and “salt” without any limits to the items which were to be obtained by his “treasurers”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra more of the specific items “Artaxerxes”commanded his “treasurers” to provide for the people of Israel through Ezra. “Silver, wheat, wine and oil” were also necessary for the sacrificial offerings presented to Jehovah God by the people of Israel, and “Artaxerxes” was supplying everything they needed. God not only reestablished the people of Israel in their homeland of Judah and Jerusalem, but He also helped them with their items needed for worship. God loves Israel, and He loves us. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die 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 give us the provisions for making Him first in our lives while we worship Him as we serve in this world. 

Next time Ezra shares how Artaxerxes writes about, “whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven”, 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".