December 10, 2010
Ezra was sent to Jerusalem to check on the exiles who had returned. Ezra was a teacher who worked hard to know and understand the laws of the LORD. The king sent him a letter detailing what he was sending with him and what he was to do. He told him to use the wisdom he had from God to choose judges and lawmakers to rule the people of Israel. He made it very clear what should happen to those who disobey God's teaching. Ezra 7:26 - "Whoever does not obey the law of your God... must be punished. He will be killed, or sent away, or have his property taken away, or be put in jail." Wow! Pretty clear and explicit directions.
1) Killed—death
2) Sent away—banishment
3) Property taken—confiscation of goods/property
4) Put into jail—imprisonment
The KJV says they should be "speedily" punished.
Ezra praised the LORD because God was the one who caused the king to want to honor the temple. Ezra acknowledged that God was the one giving him courage and help. But even though God was helping them and giving them courage, Ezra was facing a daunting task. He had a large group of people; they were carrying a large amount of gold and silver that the king was sending with them; and they had a great distance to travel through a very dangerous area. Ezra was frankly very concerned and scared. He would have liked to have asked the king for soldiers and horsemen to go with them and protect them all the way, but he knew that would destroy his witness with the king and everyone else he had told about his LORD. Instead, he gathered the people together and prayed. Ezra 8:21-23 - "We would ask God for a safe trip for ourselves, our children, and all our possessions. I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road. We had said to the king, 'Our God helps everyone who obeys him, but he is very angry with all who reject him.' So we gave up eating and prayed to our God about our trip, and he answered our prayers.' "
Out on the edge where either God shows up and does it, or you fail.
God showed up. They arrived safely in Jerusalem months later, without losing one single thing. Ezra 8:31 - "Our God helped us and protected us from our enemies and robbers along the way. KJV - "...the hand of God was upon us and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and of such as lay in wait by the way."
As frightening as it may be, there is no better place to be but under the hand of God, in total dependence upon Him.
Next Entry: Ezra 9:1 – 10:44
Ezra was sent to Jerusalem to check on the exiles who had returned. Ezra was a teacher who worked hard to know and understand the laws of the LORD. The king sent him a letter detailing what he was sending with him and what he was to do. He told him to use the wisdom he had from God to choose judges and lawmakers to rule the people of Israel. He made it very clear what should happen to those who disobey God's teaching. Ezra 7:26 - "Whoever does not obey the law of your God... must be punished. He will be killed, or sent away, or have his property taken away, or be put in jail." Wow! Pretty clear and explicit directions.
1) Killed—death
2) Sent away—banishment
3) Property taken—confiscation of goods/property
4) Put into jail—imprisonment
The KJV says they should be "speedily" punished.
Ezra praised the LORD because God was the one who caused the king to want to honor the temple. Ezra acknowledged that God was the one giving him courage and help. But even though God was helping them and giving them courage, Ezra was facing a daunting task. He had a large group of people; they were carrying a large amount of gold and silver that the king was sending with them; and they had a great distance to travel through a very dangerous area. Ezra was frankly very concerned and scared. He would have liked to have asked the king for soldiers and horsemen to go with them and protect them all the way, but he knew that would destroy his witness with the king and everyone else he had told about his LORD. Instead, he gathered the people together and prayed. Ezra 8:21-23 - "We would ask God for a safe trip for ourselves, our children, and all our possessions. I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road. We had said to the king, 'Our God helps everyone who obeys him, but he is very angry with all who reject him.' So we gave up eating and prayed to our God about our trip, and he answered our prayers.' "
Out on the edge where either God shows up and does it, or you fail.
God showed up. They arrived safely in Jerusalem months later, without losing one single thing. Ezra 8:31 - "Our God helped us and protected us from our enemies and robbers along the way. KJV - "...the hand of God was upon us and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and of such as lay in wait by the way."
As frightening as it may be, there is no better place to be but under the hand of God, in total dependence upon Him.
Next Entry: Ezra 9:1 – 10:44
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