Whosoever Will Not Do the Law of God - Ezra 7:26

In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared how king Artaxerxes of Persia wrote to him in a letter, “and you, Ezra, after the wisdom of your God, that is in your hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of your God; and teach you them that know them not”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-six of Ezra, Ezra shared how Artaxerxes said what to do with, “whosoever will not do the law of your God” where we read,

And whosoever will not do the law of your God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.

The verse reads, “And whosoever will not do the law of your God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, ...” Ezra began with the words, “and whosoever will not do the law” which means “and whatever person whether male or female shall in no way or manner perform, execute our carry out the decree and command” “of your God” which means “belonging to your, Ezra's, Supreme Deity”, “and the law” or “and the decree and command” “of the king” which means “belonging to the royal ruler and leader”, “let judgment be executed speedily” or “allow and permit corresponding justice come to pass, happen and be executed in a hurried manner” “upon him” which means “on the person who will not do the law of your God”. Ezra shared how “Artaxerxes” said whatever person does not perform the command and decree of Jehovah God and the royal ruler himself should have corresponding justice brought upon them in a speedy manner. 

The verse goes on to say, “... whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.” Ezra continued with the words, “whether it be unto death” which means “if and in case the judgment exists corresponding to lifelessness and dying”, “or to banishment” or “or toward uprooting and eradication”, “or to confiscation of goods” which means “or to fining or seizure of the person's riches and property”, “or to imprisonment” or “toward bond, penalty or incarceration”. Ezra shared how justice was to be brought upon lawbreakers in the form of dying, eradication, seizure of property or incarceration. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how “Artaxerxes” gave directives toward people who violated the “law of God” and the “law of the king”. They were to be dealt with speedily and according to the measure of their infraction. “Artaxerxes” said “death, banishment, confiscation of goods and imprisonment” were all options for“judgment” against those who break the law. God loves people, and His limitations are His protections. “Artaxerxes”said the “magistrates and judges” were to carry out justice, and even as all people sin, justice was to be carried out upon them. God's Son Jesus paid the ultimate price or judgment when He died on the cross for the sins of the world, and if we will believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us the value of keeping His laws and commandments in this world. 

Next time Ezra says, “blessed be the LORD God of our fathers”, 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".