In the book of Ezra, Ezra said, “there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king. And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king”, and in chapter seven and verse nine of Ezra, Ezra shared what happened, “upon the first day of the first month” where we read,
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.
The verse reads, “For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, ...” Ezra began with the words, “for upon the first day” which means “because, since and on account that on the foremost sunrise to sunset” “of the first month” which means “belonging to the foremost lunar moon or month” “began he to go up from Babylon” or “initiated and started he, Ezra, to depart, ascend and separate and apart from Babylon whose name means confusion (by mixing) and was known as Babel or Babylon which was the ancient site and/or capital of Babylonia (modern Hillah) situated on the Euphrates River”. Ezra shared how he initiated his departure from “Babylon” toward Jerusalem upon the “first day of the first month” which was the month of Nissan and corresponds to April.
The verse continues, “ … and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.” Ezra added the words, “and on the first day” which means “and upon the primary and foremost sunrise to sunset” “of the fifth month” or “belonging to the fifth lunar moon or month which is Shevat and corresponds to them month of August” “came he to Jerusalem” which means “appeared and entered he Ezra, into Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is ”, “according to the good hand” or “in keeping with the power and might” “of his God upon him” which means “belonging to his, Ezra's', Supreme Deity on him, Ezra”. Ezra shared how his journey back to Jerusalem from Babylon continued for four months, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the month of Nissan or August because Jehovah God's power and might were upon him.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how his journey back to Jerusalem lasted for four months, and after finally arriving, he understood that God's “hand” of power and might was upon him. Ezra was to be a part of the restoration of the temple, the city and the worship of Jehovah God in Israel, and God supplied his ability to do so. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us. He desires a personal intimate relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and lead us by the power and might of His Holy Spirit as to where we should be and to what we are to do when we arrive there.
Next time Ezra shares how, “Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment