The People Return
Book of Ezra
Chapters 7-10
We have already seen
Ezra but could trace his hereditary all the way back to Aaron the
brother of Moses.
He sought the king's
consent to return to Israel.
He was a scribe, a
doctor of the Law of God.
Ezra had made sure
that copies of the Word of God would be true copies and preserved for
all generations.
Ezra had assembled
the Old Testament canon up through his day.
But we can be sure
it was God who had chosen Ezra for this great mission.
It was time for all
those who were willing to go home to Israel and Jerusalem, to leave
for the promised land.
Notice God only
accepts those who freely choose to be in His family. God will never
force anyone to accept Him!
It just makes good
sense to be in the family of Jehovah God, Jesus will guide you into
His family.
Notice also, it was
not the King of Persia who would get the credit for releasing the
Jews to go home, it was God who made tender the heart of this King,
so these things could take place!
God has a way of
getting His will done, regardless of the times and regardless of who
sits in power!
God always works
through some man to get His will done and this time it was Ezra.
Just as God had
chosen Moses and just as God had chosen Joshua, God now chose Ezra.
*****Ezr 7:6 This
Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of
Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted
him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon
him.
The first expedition
of Jews to Jerusalem and home was led by Zerubbabel and was now
complete, with a dedication to rebuild the Temple.
Ezra would lead the
second expedition back home and he desired that Jerusalem could be
rebuilt.
Later Nehemiah would
lead a third group home with the intent to rebuild the broken-down
walls of Jerusalem.
We can be sure each
group would meet opposition, much like the opposition that confronts
the tiny nation of Israel today.
No one but God
Himself wants to see this tiny nation prosper, and they would be well
ahead if they would only learn to trust God and be obedient to Him!
Ezra had to get
permission to see the King of Persia and make his request.
Aren't you glad that
another gift Jesus Christ gave us, was the gift of answered prayer?
Those who love the
Lord can reach into the throne room of our Father in Heaven without
asking for His permission. He is ready to hear from His children at
all times!
Ezra was a scribe
and besides teaching the Word of God, it was Ezra's job to reproduce
accurate copies of the Scriptures.
God did not allow
for error from His Scribes!
Many believe Ezra
wrote not only the Book of Ezra, but he probably also wrote the two
Books of Chronicles and the two Books of Kings.
What did Ezra
believe about the Scriptures?
Ezra believed that
the Scriptures were not just some human code written by some men.
Ezra did not believe
that the Scriptures were just a national treasure of Israel.
Ezra believed the
Scriptures were a Divine Gift of God, the Law of the Lord!
Without many
questions, King Artaxerxes granted every favor that Ezra asked of
him, so we can be sure that God had made the heart of this king to be
tender toward the Jews.
How did God give His
Words to be written?
Many ways for sure,
but one way was giving His words to those who would write it down.
Psa 45:1 My heart
is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made
touching the king: "my tongue is the pen of a ready writer".
*****Ezr 7:7 And
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.
This Artaxerxes may
have been the husband of Esther, but I cannot say that is true.
Since the Temple was
nearly complete then not only the children of Israel, but some of the
priests, the Levites, the singers, the porters and the Nethinims were
also a part of these that returned to Jerusalem.
We are familiar with
all but the Nethinims.
It is probable that
these were at one time captured enemies of Israel, who were allowed
to stay in Israel if they worked at the Temple and they volunteered
for this duty from then on.
These are probably
the same ones who had the foreign names (Ezra 2:43-58).
In reality these
people had to obey the laws of Israel and were likely the ones who
were water carriers for the Temple and workers of menial task at the
Temple.
Today we can
associate these people with those of the Church who work behind the
scenes of the Church, who without them the Church would not function
as it should.
We should understand
that the trip from Babylon to Jerusalem was near 900 miles and by
God's favor this trip took only 4 months.
This roadway was
infested with thieves and robbers and this road passed through many
of the enemies of the Jews!
This group traveling
with Ezra numbered at least 50,000 men, women, and children.
The year of this
group was 458 BC.
*****Ezr 7:8 And he
came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year
of the king.
Ezr 7:9 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.
We can be sure that
Ezra was totally committed to the Lord God of Israel! Ezra was also a
precious servant to his people!
If we remember Moses
had stood before a King (Pharaoh) and said let my people go and that
king had only hardened his heart and he refused and it cost him his
life and his oldest son.
Ezra had been bold
enough to stand before this Persian king and he just said how can I
help you to do this thing!
Ezr 8:31 Then we
departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first
month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and
he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in
wait by the way.
Ezr 8:32 And we
came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days.
Ezr 8:33 Now on the
fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the
house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest;
and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was
Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites;
Ezr 8:34 By number
and by weight of every one: and all the weight was written at that
time.
This group of Jews
had traveled this long journey with hardly an incident to be
reported, which means the hand of protection of the Lord was with
them.
*****Ezr 7:10 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.
Ezra had a great
testimony. Ezra had prepared his heart to not only learn the Word of
God, but to learn the will of God.
If we do not observe
the will of God as written in the Scriptures, we will never know the
special will of God for our lives.
,
What is the will of
God for every Christian?
1) 2Ti 2:15 Study
to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2) Mat 28:18 And
Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in
heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo,
I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
3) Rom_12:2 And be
not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God.
4) These things are
necessary so that the ultimate will of God will be done in all our
lives!
Gal 1:4 Who gave
himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil
world, according to the will of God and our Father:
It is the will of
God that we be delivered from this present evil world!
None of these things
can take place, until we have prepared our heart to seek the law of
God!
This thing will
never change!
If God said we live
in an evil world, then how can we deny what God says?
None of us can be of
service to God, until we have prepared our hearts to do so!
Ezra was a captive
in a foreign nation, and he needed the permission of that government,
not so much for him but to show to anyone who questioned the
rebuilding of Jerusalem and Temple, the House of God.
*****Ezr 7:11 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.
Ezr 7:12
Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law
of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.
Ezr 7:13 I make a
decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and
Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up
to Jerusalem, go with thee.
The Holy Spirit
decided that this letter was to be preserved so that all the world
would know the decree of Artaxerxes, which was similar to those
letters from King Cyrus and King Darius, his predecessors.
The first thing we
notice is, that every Israelite from every tribe was given the
permission to go back to Israel.
We should also
notice that Ezra was made to be a representative of the King.
We should even
notice that Ezra had certain qualifications. Priest, Scribe, and
Scribe of the written Word of God, which would be the cannon of the
Bible in that day.
Ezra had the right
to encourage all Israelites to go home, but he could not try to force
them to leave.
Remember they also
had the words of Daniel and of Ezekiel.
Artaxerxes was known
as King of kings, because he had so many kings, he had conquered, but
he expected them to run the government of those nations according to
the laws of Persia and not their own laws.
The difference with
Israel was that he gave these Jews the permission to rule according
to the Word of God and His laws.
By saying that
Jehovah was the God of heaven, He was then God of gods. This king was
not a true believer!
This king just chose
to believe that Jehovah was the greatest of all gods, but there are
no gods, but Jehovah.
It is here that we
see that this king was well aware of the ten tribes of Israel that
had already been captured by other kings in lands that he now ruled.
It seems that some
of those people did go back with Ezra and Israel was to be reunited
with all 12 tribes.
We will see this
fact when Ezra gets back to Jerusalem and "twelve bullocks for
all of Israel" were sacrificed.
Ezr_8:35 Also the
children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of
the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve
bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven
lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt
offering unto the LORD.
Ezra was sent of the
King to rebuild Jerusalem and to complete the Temple which had
already been started by Zerubbabel.
*****Ezr 7:14
Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors,
to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of
thy God which is in thine hand;
Ezra was sent of the
king to make sure that all Israelies lived according to the laws of
God.
It seems that Ezra
had a copy of the Scriptures in his hand this very day.
These Jews did not
need this king’s permission nor his commands, because they had
already been charge of God to obey all His Word, just as we have here
today.
Now do not get me
wrong, the commandments and laws given to the Jews and all
Israelites, were never given to the Church but we live understanding
the same principle of obeying the Word of God.
The Scriptures must
always be rightly divided!
2Ti 2:15 Study to
shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Even though this is
true, we must understand that we are to learn from all the Word of
God!
2Ti 3:16 All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the
man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
God does not ever
change, so the Ten Commandments applies to all people, except the
Church is to gather on the Lord's Day (Sunday) and not the Sabbath
(Saturday). The Lord Jesus Christ arose on a Sunday, therefore it is
the Lord's Day!
The other 603 laws
of God to the Jews do not apply to the Church but many, if not all
those laws are to be considered, for reproof, which means, (God
points out our errors and we are to correct our ways), for correction
which means to the Church to be (Christ like, or Christian), for
instruction in righteousness, which means (God has given us the means
of living according to "Divine Law").
We next see that it
was Ezra who would be held responsible for the free will offering
from the king himself.
*****Ezr 7:15 And
to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have
freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in
Jerusalem,
Ezr 7:16 And all
the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of
Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the
priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in
Jerusalem:
Now this was not
money to rebuild the Temple, King Cyrus had already donated the funds
to rebuild the Temple and to pay for the material and the laborers.
Ezr_3:7 They gave
money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and
drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring
cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant
that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
This king offered
Ezra a military escort, but Ezra had bragged on God so much, that he
could not show that God did not have the power to protect not only
this silver and gold but also the people who were going home.
To be honest, we
should be ashamed for not bragging on God enough!
Ezra was also
authorized to ask for free will offerings from all those in Babylon
who did not want to leave Babylon at this time.
It can be said that
Ezra had found "Grace" in the eyes of the Lord!
So what was this
money to be used for?
*****Ezr 7:17 That
thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with
their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon
the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
Ezr 7:18 And
whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with
the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your
God.
Most of these Laws
can be found in Numbers Chapter 15.
Num 15:1 And the
LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 15:2 Speak unto
the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the
land of your habitations, which I give unto you,
Num 15:3 And will
make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, or a
sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your
solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the LORD, of the herd, or
of the flock:
They were returning
to the Promised Land once again.
We should also note
that any of this money that was left over, Ezra was to use at his own
discretion.
History tells us
Ezra used all that remained on the Temple. He kept none for himself,
a true steward of God's money.
Once things have
been given to the Lord, such as money, then it should be used to
promote the Gospel and never for personal use!
*****Ezr 7:19 The
vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy
God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.
Ezr 7:20 And
whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou
shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the
king's treasure
house.
We know that all the
things of the Temple that Nebuchadnezzar had robbed from Solomon's
Temple had been returned to Zerubbabel so these things from the state
treasury were not those things.
There is a list of
these things:
Ezr 8:25 And
weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the
offering of the house of our God, which the king, and his
counsellors, and his lords, and all Israel there present, had
offered:
Ezr 8:26 I even
weighed unto their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and
silver vessels an hundred talents, and of gold an hundred talents;
Ezr 8:27 Also
twenty basons of gold, of a thousand drams; and two vessels of fine
copper, precious as gold.
Ezr 8:28 And I said
unto them, Ye are holy unto the LORD; the vessels are holy also; and
the silver and the gold are a freewill offering unto the LORD God of
your fathers.
Just so we
understand, one commentary estimated that one talent of silver would
be valued at about 250,000 dollars in today's market. A talent of
gold would be more than 1 million dollars.
These were the free
will offerings offered from the King to the God of Jerusalem.
We all know that you
cannot buy God's love so we can only say this Persian King was well
aware of the need for the Jewish people to return to be able to
worship the God of Heaven in His own House.
In reality this
pagan King had no idea that he was doing all these things because it
was the will of God that caused these things to happen.
In the day of the
third Temple, it will cost this world dearly as God will cause the
world to finance the new Temple.
Ezra was an emissary
of the King, so he could go to the Kings treasury and get whatever
else was needed to build the Temple and restore the worship of these
Jews to Jehovah. We can be sure that Ezra took no more than was
needed.
The truth is, it
will cost this dearly to be on the wrong side of God!
*****Ezr 7:21 And
I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers
which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the
scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be
done speedily,
Ezr 7:22 Unto an
hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and
to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt
without prescribing how much.
Ezr 7:23 Whatsoever
is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the
house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the
realm of the king and his sons?
Ezr 7:24 Also we
certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers,
porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not
be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
This King sent a
decree to all his treasurers that whatever Ezra needed to complete
this work would be freely given to him.
Every ruler can be
used of God to do His will!
Pro 21:1 The king's
heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth
it whithersoever he will.
It should be obvious
that this king did not love Jehovah as he should, but he did have
absolute fear the power of God, something most people of today
ignore, or just do not believe.
Many of the church
think of God only as an old grandfather, looking after His
grandchildren but we serve an almighty God who we should have at
least some of this same fear.
Php_2:12 Wherefore,
my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but
now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear
and trembling.
As we see the
Prophets of God were shown some respect in almost every nation, and I
believe many nations know all the prophecies of God today.
Some will just make
note of them, others will try change those prophecies to their own
advantage, but God will have His plan move along as only He can!
Notice that at this
time there would be no taxes upon Jerusalem nor any part of Israel.
We can just imagine
how these things stirred up the enemies of Israel.
The main thing we
notice is, that Ezra was given the right to teach all these Jews the
Law of God and not the false gods of this pagan king.
This was something
was not normally allowed to conquered nations!
Another thing that
Ezra was allowed to do, he was allowed to execute judgment according
to the Word of God, with the power of this king behind this order.
Justice would be
carried out by Ezra or the Persian government at the request of Ezra.
All the laws of God
would be observed, and any local laws would be observed, all
according to the Word of God.
*****Ezr 7:25 And
thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set
magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are
beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye
them that know them not.
Ezr 7:26 And
whosoever will not do the law of thy 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.
Notice it was not
Zerubbabel the Governor of the land of Judah, but it Ezra who would
appointed the Judges and Magistrates.
The Jews would not
have to face the magistrates of pagan laws, but only the Laws of God
and we know that the Jews not only had the "Ten Commandments"
but also a total of 613 commandments given to the Jews in everything
they did, in every portion of their lives.
Psa 119:98 Thou
through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for
they are ever with me.
Psa 119:99 I have
more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my
meditation.
Psa 119:100 I
understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
Psa 119:101 I have
refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
Psa 119:102 I have
not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
Psa 119:103 How
sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my
mouth!
Psa 119:104 Through
thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
We should remember
all those who came home were those who came of their own free will,
they were ready to serve the Lord.
Ezra was blessed.
*****Ezr 7:27
Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing
as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which
is in Jerusalem:
Ezr 7:28 And hath
extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and
before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the
hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of
Israel chief men to go up with me.
Ezra did not bless
this pagan king, but he praised the Lord for putting such thoughts in
the head of this king.
You see this is an
example of the way we should feel!
Jas 1:17 Every good
gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the
Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of
turning.
God does not ever
put bad thoughts in the heads of rulers, but God can put good
thoughts into the mind of any evil man!
Rev 17:17 For God
hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give
their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be
fulfilled.
So how do all these
things relate to the Church?
We must understand,
that being a Christian is also being a Temple of God, which is to
grow in the "Grace" and "Mercy" of God!
It is our job to
lead people to the "Promised Land". (Heaven) (Only God can
forgive their sins)
It is our job to
come out from the world and live according to the Word of God, and to
introduce all we can to the Messiah, who is the only way to get to
Heaven.
That Messiah is the
Lord Jesus Christ.
Joh 14:6 Jesus
saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me.
We must acknowledge
that we are the ones sent by the Lord and God does still call certain
men and women for special work!
Act 1:8 But ye
shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and
ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea,
and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
From the time the
second Temple was built, Israel did all they could to remain free
from foreign domination and they did until the time of the Romans,
just as the Prophet Daniel had said.
Today, those who
love the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior are the Temple of
God, and God expects to live a holy life in obedience to the Word of
God, "rightly divided", and know it is Jehovah God who sits
of the throne and directs this world as He see fit!
The most important
thing God does is make sure everyone gets an opportunity to know the
truth and the "Gospel" that saves is that "Truth"!
Amen
Let's Pray!
