Whosoever Shall Alter This Word - Ezra 6:11

In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared how Darius the king of Persia said, “Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place. Moreover I make a decree what you shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered. And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail. That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savors unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons”, and in chapter six and verse eleven of Ezra, Ezra shared how Darius said what to do with, “whosoever shall alter this word” where we read,

Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.

The verse reads, “Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, ...” Ezra began with the words, “also I have made a decree” which means “even so and indeed I, Darius, have proclaimed and declared a judgment, discretion and command”, “that whosoever” whose name means “that whatever person whether male or female” “shall alter this word” or “who changes or transforms this speech, proclamation and order”, “let timber be pulled down from his house” which means “allow and permit the wooden beams be pulled and torn away apart from his, the person's, habitation, abode and dwelling place”. Ezra shared how “Darius” gave a warning declaration that whatever person changed his command would have the wooden beams torn away from their homes.

The verse goes on to say, “... and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.”Ezra continued with the words, “and being set up” which means “and being raised or impaled”, “let him be hanged thereon” or “allow and permit that person to be hung upon the raised timbers”; “and let his house” which means “and allow and permit the person's habitation, abode and dwelling place” “be made a dunghill” or “to be executed and wrought into an outhouse or refuse-heap” “for this” which means “on behalf of altering Darius' command”. Ezra shared how the“timbers” torn away from the person's house who changed “Darius'” words would be made into a gallows, and they were to be hung on it while their home was turned into a refuse-heap. 

When we consider Ezra's words in this verse, we discover how serious “Darius” was about following his command. He gave a command that anyone who changed his orders would have the wooden beams from their homes torn down, and they would be used to build a gallows upon which they were to be hung. Afterward their houses were to be used for a refuse-heap. This is not the way God wanted it to be for them, and He does not want it this way for us. God's word does not return unto Him void, and John the apostle who wrote the book of Revelation warned against altering His word. (See Isaiah 55:11; Revelation 22:18-19) God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone, and when we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and show us that He is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the father, but by him”. (See John 14:6) 

Next time Ezra shares how Darius says, “God that had caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people”, 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".