Ezra
Sent to Teach the People
Now
after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra
the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, Ezr.
7:1
Seventeen
Generations—Ezra to Aaron
1.
Ezra (Ezr. 7:1)
2.
Seraiah
3.
Azariah
4.
Hilkiah
5.
Shallum (Ezr. 7:2)
6.
Zadok
7.
Ahitub
8.
Amariah (Ezr. 7:3)
9.
Azariah
10.
Meraioth
11.
Zerahiah
12.
Uzzi
13.
Bukki
14.
Abishua (Ezr. 7:5)
15.
Phinehas
16.
Eleazar
17.
Aaron, the first high priest
This
genealogy is incomplete, because 17 generations could not possibly
cover the entire period of about 1,130 years from Aaron to Ezra’s
journey from Babylon. One gap may be filled from 1Ch. 6:1-15 where
there are several names which should be added.
after
these things... After these things—after the return of
42,360 exiles (Ezr. 1:1-2:70), after setting up the altar and
restoring worship (Ezr. 3:1-7), and after the rebuilding of the
temple (Ezr. 3:8-6:22)—Ezra led a second expedition of exiles from
Babylon to Judah (Ezr. 7:1-8:36) This doesn’t mean that only two
groups returned from captivity, but these are the only ones mentioned
in Ezra. The first one was led by Zerubbabel (see Ezr. 1:1-2:70). The
phrase "after these things" proves that Ezra had not been
in Jerusalem during the events of Ezr. 1-6, and that he came for the
first time to Judah immediately after the rebuilding of the temple in
Ezr. 6:1-22. To place Nehemiah before Ezra is entirely unscriptural.
reign
of Artaxerxes... This Artaxerxes was Darius Hystaspis, or
Darius I—the Darius of Ezr. 4:24; Ezr. 5:1-6:22—not the
Artaxerxes of Ezr. 4:7-23. The history in Ezra 5-6 is continued with
the same king. Thus the term Artaxerxes, meaning Great King, is
applied to these last two kings of Medo-Persia. Three other Persian
kings who followed Darius I also used this title. This Artaxerxes
reigned for thirty-five years. One year after the completion of the
temple, in his sixth year, Ezra left Babylon with the captives of
Ezra 7-8 (Ezr. 7:7).
Ezra
the son... Ezra, help. Three Ezra’s:
1.
A Judahite (1Ch. 4:17)
2.
Head of one of the twenty-four courses of priests after the exile
(Neh. 10:2-8; 12:1, 12:13)
3.
A famous scribe and priest (Ezr. 7:1-25; 10:1-16; Neh. 8:1-12; 12:26,
12:36). He was a man of great moral strength, learning, humility,
self-denial, zeal, prayer, and faithfulness to God and his people.
Tradition says he was president of the great synagogue which settled
the question of the Jewish Canon of Scripture, and began building
synagogues in Jewish communities.
The
son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, The
son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, The son of
Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,
The
son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of
Aaron the chief priest:
Ezr.
7:2, 3, 4, 5
The
son of... He was a man of great moral strength, learning, humility,
self-denial, zeal, prayer, and faithfulness to God and his people.
Tradition says he was the president of the great synagogue which
settled the question of the Jewish Canon of Scripture, and began
building synagogues in Jewish communities.
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. Ezr. 7:6
and
he was...
Ready—skillful scribe in the law of Moses. God had given him such
ability. From this time on the scribes in Israel became numerous and
important, being students, teachers, and interpreters, as well as
copyists of the law. They retained the knowledge of the old dialect
which was being rapidly superseded by a new one.
and
the king...
Ezra was evidently high in the respect of Darius I, or Artaxerxes.
according
to the... In both testaments this expression means that God’s power
and blessing were upon them (Ezr. 7:6, 7:9, 7:28; 8:18, 8:22, 8:31;
Neh. 2:8). Cp. Act. 4:30; 11:21.
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. Ezr. 7:7
there
went up...
A term used many times of the return to Judah from captivity (Ezr.
2:1, 2:59; 4:23; 7:6-7; 8:1; Neh. 7:6, 7:61; 12:1).
some
of the...
That is, Jews from all the tribes. The term is used here of the
common people who weren’t of any special class—in contrast to the
priests, Levites, singers, porters, and Nethinims.
in
the seventh...
This was about a year after the rebuilding of the temple (Ezr. 7-9;
Ezr. 6:15).
And
he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was
in the seventh year of the king. Ezr. 7:8
and
he came... The trip back to the land took exactly four months, from
the first to the fifth months, from Nisan 1 (March-April) to Ab 1
(July-August).
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. Ezr. 7:9
for
upon the...
From the first day of the first month (April) to the first day of the
fifth month (August), the journey was made from Babylon to Judah.
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. Ezr. 7:10
For
Ezra had... The good hand of… God was on Ezra because he devoted
himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to
teaching it. “Devoted himself” is literally, “set his heart
firmly” (cf. 2Ch. 19:3; 30:19), which gives the idea that Ezra was
inwardly determined. His determination was directed toward doing
three things: studying God’s Law, obeying it, and teaching it to
others — an inviolable order for a successful ministry!
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.
7:11
Now
this is... Artaxerxes wrote a letter (cf. This is a copy of the
letter; Ezr. 4:11, 4:23; 5:6) to Ezra that allowed Ezra and others to
return to Israel. No reason for the decree was given. It can be
surmised that Ezra had asked for permission to take a group back and
that this decree was the official granting of his request.
copy of the
letter... The original was usually kept for a record. The letter was
addressed to Ezra because the decree recorded therein was the
critical administrative document. Decrees were commonly embedded in
letters. The letter in essence authorized the document into Ezra’s
hands so that he could carry it and read it to its intended audience.
King Artaxerxes gave... We
know that without permission from the Persian king, they could not
have gone back to their homeland. This decree from the king, first
gave them permission to leave Babylon and go back to Judah. The
letter that the king sent to Ezra, gave him special privileges by
authority of the king. It was a letter of authority, wherever he
went. Ezra was a man who had gained respect from the king as a man
who kept the law and commandments of God.
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. 7:12
king
of kings... Though it was true that Artaxerxes ruled over other
kings, Jesus Christ is the ultimate King of Kings (compare Rev.
19:16), who alone can genuinely make that claim since He will rule
over all kings in His coming kingdom (compare Rev. 11-15).
The
king of Persia referred to himself as the “king of kings” because
he was the most powerful man in the world. One day, the whole world
will recognize the true King of kings, Jesus Christ (Phil. 2:10-11;
Rev. 17:14; 19:16).
unto
Ezra the... This is the beginning of the words of the decree. The
king of Persia was called king of kings, because at this time the
Persians were very powerful in the known world. It is interesting to
me, that these Persian rulers recognized God. In essence, the decree
is saying that the king has no argument with Ezra. He will allow Ezra
to do what he desires to do.
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. Ezr. 7:13
I
make a...
Which, according to the laws of the Medes and Persians, when signed,
might not be changed (Dan. 6:8).
which are minded... of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee, This decree did not oblige them to go whether they would or not. For they might, notwithstanding this, continue if they pleased. It only gave them leave to make use of the present opportunity of going along with Ezra, if they chose.
We see from this, that all who had been captives were now free to go. Ezra must not force them to go, but if they desired to go they could. This would stop any of the people they had been working for, to keep them from going. They had permission of the king, which overrules anything individuals might do to stop them. Only to these did the Messiah come (Mat. 10:6; John 1:11 ; Rom. 1:16).
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; Ezr. 7:14
thou
art sent... Ten
Reasons Ezra Was Sent Back.
1.
To inquire about Judah and Jerusalem regarding their obedience to the
law (Ezr. 7:14)
2.
To carry gold and silver back as offerings to God from the king and
his counselors (Ezr. 7:15)
3.
To carry gold and silver offerings back from the people for the
temple (Ezr. 7:16)
4.
To buy sacrifice offerings for the temple services (Ezr. 7:17)
5.
To see that the money being sent back was spent properly (Ezr. 7:18)
6.
To take certain vessels for the services to the temple (Ezr. 7:19)
7.
To find out what else was needed for the temple services (Ezr. 7:20)
8.
To deliver instructions to the governors west of the Euphrates
regarding help in the work of God in Judah (Ezr. 7:21-26)
9.
To set magistrates and judges in all the provinces west of the
Euphrates (Ezr. 7:25)
10.
To teach the laws of God to all men
and
of his... Seven counselors, This number was according to the Persian
tradition (compare Esther 1:14).
These seven
counselors are probably the seven princes of Persia and Media.to enquire concerning... Ezra's purpose, as far as the king was concerned, was to check on what was happening in Judah and Jerusalem. The king had made everything available for Ezra to carry the mission out. Ezra wanted to check on the people, and make sure they had not fallen back into idolatry.
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. 7:15
And
to carry... He gave them silver and gold to take with them and he
allowed them to get more in Babylon (Ezr. 7:15-16, 7:20).
have
freely offered... In the temple built there. For the service of
which, either for purchasing and procuring vessels that were wanting
in it, or for sacrifices to be offered in it. The king and his nobles
had made a voluntary contribution, and entrusted and sent Ezra with
it.
This would
be a large sum of money in the silver and gold. The large number of
Hebrews, who would be with Ezra, would be protection against highway
robbery. Ezra was in charge of the silver and gold, as he was over
all the people. The king of Persia had given considerably large
amounts to the Hebrews for carrying on the services in their temple.
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: Ezr. 7:16
thou
canst find... Not that he might take it wherever he found it, whether
the owners of it were willing he should have it or not. But whatever
was freely offered by them, as Jarchi, that he was allowed to take,
whatever he could get in that way.
With
the freewill... Of the people of the Jews, who thought fit to
continue in the province.
and
of the... Priests, offering willingly for the house of their God
which is in Jerusalem, Those freewill offerings, whether of the
natives of Babylon, or of any of the Jewish nation, for the service
of the temple at Jerusalem, he had leave and a commission to carry
with him.
Now
we see that even the Hebrews, who remained in Babylon, would give
silver and gold to be carried back into the homeland for use in the
services in the temple. Ezra would be the guardian of that as well.
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. 7:17
with their meat... Which always went along with the burnt offerings, according to the Law of Moses. And which the king seemed to have a right knowledge of, being, no doubt, instructed by Ezra, or some other Jew in his court.
and offer them... Upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem": The altar of burnt offering in the temple there.
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. Ezr. 7:18
and
whatsoever shall... The priests that he should think fit to take in
to his assistance in this work.
to do
with... Which should be left after the sacrifices were offered up.that do after... As they should be directed by Him, or was prescribed by Him in the law.
The king completely trusted Ezra. He knew that Ezra would do exactly what the LORD wanted him to do. The extra silver and gold could be used to beautify the temple, or to employ people to do repairs, or whatever the LORD led Ezra to do with it.
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. 7:19
The
vessels also... May have been some left behind perhaps overlooked
when restored by Cyrus (in 1:7-11); or they may have been a goodwill
gift, newly presented.
It
appears they were still finding vessels that belonged in the temple
in Jerusalem. They were not to be used for anything else. They were
to be carried directly to the temple and presented before God.
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. Ezr. 7:20
shall
be needful... For the beautifying and ornamenting the temple (Ezra
7:27).
bestow it
out... Where the money collected by tribute, tax, and custom, was
deposited; his exchequer (a royal or national treasury), as it may be
called (see Ezra 6:8).This is speaking of the local treasure house. This was funds that had been gathered in Judah. Ezra was such an honorable man, the king knew he would not use more of the treasury than was necessary. He certainly would not use from the treasury for anything but for the temple. The wide authority given Ezra was, because the king trusted him.
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. 7:21
a
decree to...
Ezra had access to all the treasuries of the various provinces west
of the Euphrates, and could demand from them all that he needed for
the house of God, within limits:
|
100
silver talents at $7,500 each
|
$750,000
|
|
100
baths (about 62.5 bushels) of wheat at $6 a bushel
|
375
|
|
100
baths (3,600 quarts) of wine at $5
|
18,000
|
|
100
baths of oil at $8 a qt.
|
28,800
|
|
|
___________
|
|
Total
|
$797,175
|
This
was a good account for the temple services, and it was evidently
drawn upon, according to
Ezr. 8:36.
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.
7:22
These,
according to Jarchi, were to buy the offerings or sacrifices with.
unto an
hundred... Or corn, the same measure with the homer, each of which
held ten ephahs, or seventy five wine gallons, five pints, and
upwards; these, according to the same writer, were for meat
offerings, made of fine flour, or rather bread offerings, as they may
be called.and to an... The same measure as before; these were to mix in the meat offerings. Which was the same measure in liquids as the ephah in things dry, a tenth part of the cor (denotes a round vessel used as a measure both for liquids and solids), or homer, and held seven wine gallons, five pints, and upwards. These were for the drink offerings.
and salt without... Because it was used in all offerings, and was cheap, and therefore no measure is fixed, but as much as was wanting was to be given (see Lev. 2:1).
We see from these two verses, that those in charge of the treasuries were not to argue with Ezra about this. They were to do exactly as Ezra requested them to do. There was a limitation, however to the top amount he could receive. Anything up to that amount they were to do quickly.
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. 7:23
for
why should... Question
6. Next, Ezr. 9:10.
wrath
against the...
This indicates that the kings of Persia in general feared Jehovah—at
least most of them from the time of Ahasuerus, the husband of Esther
and father of Cyrus, to the time of this Artaxerxes, or Darius I, who
sought to escape God’s wrath by granting these things for the
temple worship.
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.
Ezr. 7:24
Also
we certify...
Artaxerxes not only provided for the temple worship, but by this
decree he freed from taxes all the priests, Levites, singers, porters
(gate keepers), Nethinims (temple servants), and others who
ministered in the temple.
The
king had a right and perfect knowledge of the distinct offices and
services of those persons (see Ezra 7:7).
it shall
not be... That they might be the less encumbered with the affairs of
life, and be more at leisure to attend divine service, and do it the
more readily and freely. It was usual with the Heathens to except
ecclesiastics from taxes, tributes, and imposts.All who are in the service of the LORD, live of the offerings of the altar. They do not have private incomes, and should not be compelled to pay taxes. This is still true today. Many do pay taxes, but the pastors of churches are not required to pay taxes on the money they receive from the church.
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. 7:25
And
thou, Ezra...
The letter in which the decree was embedded was written to Ezra. The
king turned to him in a demonstration of administrative trust and
granted him permission to appoint magistrates and judges for the
region. The effect of this decision would be to offer a measure of
local autonomy to the Jews. This was Ezra’s commission of authority
to establish courts of justice west of the Euphrates, and to teach
all men the law of Moses. The punishment for breaking the laws of
Moses and the king of Persia was death, banishment, confiscation of
property, or imprisonment (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. Ezr.
7:26
And
whosoever will... Either the judge who delays judgment, or does not
execute it according to the law of God, and of the king. Or the
people, that do not obey the law of God in matters of religion, and
the law of the king in civil things, Judea being now a province of
the Persian empire. Though some think the law of the king only refers
to this law or decree of the king, which gave the Jews power to
execute their own laws.
let judgment be...
Immediately, without delay, according to the nature of his crime.whether it be... If guilty of a capital crime, deserving death, let him be put to death.
or to banishment... From his native country to a foreign distant land. Or to rooting out, as the word signifies; an utter removal of him and his family, by destroying him root and branch; or, as Jarchi expresses it, a rooting him out of the world, his seed and family.
or to confiscation... To payment of taxation and fines.
or to imprisonment... For such a term of time; all according to the breach of what law he may be guilty of; thus far the king's decree.
It appears that the punishment that was inflicted on those who did not conform to the decree the king had sent, would be decided by Ezra. He would be the last word on about everything. It would be up to him to decide whether they deserved to die for their sin, or whether there would be a lesser punishment. I am sure the king feels that Ezra would be guided by the LORD in even these decisions. This was the end of the decree.
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. 7:27
which hath put... Which he rightly took to be of God, who wrought in him to will and to do.
to beautify the... To provide for the ornamenting of it, for vessels in it, as well as for sacrifices. For as for the building of it, that was finished.
which
is in...
All statements in this chapter indicate that the temple at Jerusalem
had been finished and proper worship was now to be carried on in it.
This
had jumped back to the words of Ezra. He was totally aware that it
was God that placed these things in the heart of the Persian king. We
see from this, that Ezra would use the gold and silver that was extra
over the purchase of the sacrificial animals, to beautify the temple.
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. Ezr. 7:28
And I was... Animated to undertake this work, and execute this commission, being under the influence of divine favor and protection.
and I gathered... He went about in the several parts where Israelites dwelt, and persuaded some of the principal men among them to go along with him to Jerusalem, showing them the king's decree, which gave them leave. And their names and numbers are described in the next chapter.
out
of Israel...
Again, it was "out of Israel," not out of Judah only that
chief men were gathered to return to the new nation.
Ezra
thanked God for making the heart of the king of Persia tender toward
him. Ezra was very well aware that his strength and his ability was a
gift from God to him. It was a miracle that the king would allow him
to go to Jerusalem. It was an even greater miracle that he would
allow more of the captive Hebrews to go with him. The greatest
miracle in this is the fact that the king trusted Ezra with his
money. I believe this Persian king believed in God.
0 comments:
Post a Comment