In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared how king Artaxerxes of Persia wrote in a letter to him, “whatsoever shall seem good to you, and to your brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God. The vessels also that are given you for the service of the house of your God, those deliver you before the God of Jerusalem”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty of Ezra, Ezra shared how Artaxerxes wrote what to do with, “whatsoever more shall be needful” where we read,
And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of your God,
which you shall have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.
The verse reads, “And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of your God, ...” Ezra began with the words, “and whatsoever more” which means “and whatever remains as the residue and rest” “shall be needful” which means “will exist as the things required and of necessity” “for the house” or “on behalf of the habitation, abode and dwelling place” “of your God” which means “belonging to your, Ezra's, Supreme Deity”. Ezra shared how “Artaxerxes” told him whatever else was necessary on behalf of the dwelling place belonging to his Supreme Deity should have the following done with them.
The verse goes on to say, “… which you shall have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.” Ezra continued with the words, “which you shall have occasion” which means “that you, Ezra, will have an opportunity” “to bestow” or “to give, provide and distribute”, “bestow it out of the king's treasure house” which means “give, provide and distribute them from the royal ruler's habitation, abode and dwelling place of possessions and wealth”. Ezra shared how “Artaxerxes” told him when he had an opportunity to provide and distribute, he was to distribute it from the “king's”wealth and possessions.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how “Artaxerxes” continued to provide to Ezra whatever was necessary to restore the worship of Jehovah God within Jerusalem. God loves the people of Israel, and because He knew when they went back to Jerusalem they would need supplies, He inspired “Artaxerxes” to provide them to “Ezra”. God provides for us as well, and He proved it by sending His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us whatever we need to be equipped to serve in His Kingdom and share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.
Next time Ezra shares how Artaxerxes makes, “a decree to all the treasurers”, 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