The Copy of the Letter - Ezra 7:11

In the book of Ezra, Ezra said, “For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments”, and in chapter seven and verse eleven of Ezra, Ezra shared how, “this is the copy of the letter that the king Araxerxes gave unto Ezra” where we read,

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.

The verse reads, “Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, ...” Ezra began with the words, “now this is the copy of the letter” which means “the following exists as the transcript pertaining to the epistle” “that the king Artaxerxes” which means “that the royal leader and ruler named Artaxerxes whose name means I will make the spoiled to boil or I will stir myself (in) winter and was the son and successor of Xerxes as emperor of Persia from 465-424 BC” “gave unto Ezra the priest” or “granted, ascribed, devoted and bestowed to Ezra, whose name means help and was the priest and scribe who led the reforms of the returned exiles in Jerusalem and a co-worker with Nehemiah, the spiritual spokesman and leader”, “the scribe” which means “the recounter, enumerator, secretary and learned man”. Ezra the “priest and scribe” referred to the following transcript that was given to him by “Artaxerxes”.

The verse continues, “… even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.”Ezra added the words, “even a scribe of the words” which means “indeed and also a recounter, enumerator, secretary and learned man pertaining to the speeches, utterances and proclamations” “of the commandments” or “belonging to the ordinances, precepts and laws” “of the LORD” which means “which are from Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “and of his statutes” or “and pertaining to his, Jehovah God's, prescribed tasks, decrees and appointments” “to Israel” which means “toward Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Ezra shared how he was an enumerator and learned man in the proclamations and declarations of Jehovah God's law in keeping with His prescribed tasks and appointments.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how he was given a transcript of an epistle from “king Artaxerxes” because he was known for being an enumerator of Jehovah God's laws and precepts directed toward the people of “Israel”. “Ezra” was responsible for the care and keeping of God's laws and ways, and he was to insure the people of “Israel” knew what God said and required of them. God's word is true, and when we read the Bible, we are attending to His “declarations and statues”. God loves us, and He sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a desire to know and keep His commands by the help (like the meaning of Ezra's name, helper) of His Holy Spirit. 

Next time Ezra shares how the letter begins, “Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest”, 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".