EZRA LESSON 7
We will begin this lesson in Ezra 7:1 "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,"
This chapter is all about the second return of the people, who
had been in captivity in Babylon, to their homeland. This return was
led by Ezra.
Ezra 7:2 "The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of
Ahitub," Ezra 7:3 "The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of
Meraioth," Ezra 7:4 "The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of
Bukki," Ezra 7:5 "The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of
Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:"
This is showing the Ezra's right to be priest in the land. His
direct lineage goes back to Phinehas, one of my favorite priests, and
then on back to Aaron, who was the first high priest.
Ezra 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."
We mentioned before that the return of the people from Babylon
was gradual, over a few years. Zerubbabel led the first group, and
now, Ezra wasleading the second group back. Ezra had never gotten away
from the Law of Moses. He had remained faithful to it through all of
the hardships.
Ezra 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 was the grandson of Darius, and the son of
Xerxes. The children of Israel, priests, Levites, singers, porters,
and Nethanims were more of the same class of people, who went up in
the first exodus following Zerubbabel.
Ezra 7:8 "And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which
[was] in the seventh year of the king." Ezra 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 see from these two Scriptures, that this journey took
about 4 months. They left Babylon about April first on our calendar,
and arrived in August. We mentioned earlier that this trip was
approximately 1,000 miles.
Ezra 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 was determined to make this trip, so he could teach the law
to the people, again. He wanted Israel to return to God's laws and
ordinances.
Ezra 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."
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.
Ezra 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."
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.
Ezra 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."
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,
keeping them from going. They had permission of the king, which
overrules anything individuals might do to stop them.
Ezra 7:14 "Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his
seven counsellors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem,
according to the law of thy God which [is] in thine hand;"
These seven counsellors are, probably, the seven princes of
Persia and Media. 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.
Ezra 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,"
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.
Ezra 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, 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.
Ezra 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."
The money was to be used to purchase the animals for sacrifice.
These were to be sacrificed immediately. This would maintain the daily
sacrifices, and the sacrifices for the various feasts, and new moon
celebrations.
Ezra 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."
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.
Ezra 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."
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.
Ezra 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."
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 treasure for anything but for the
temple. The wide authority given Ezra was, because the king trusted
him.
Ezra 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," Ezra 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]."
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.
Ezra 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?"
The king knew that Ezra spoke as an oracle of God. The requests
he made would be made by God, Himself, through Ezra. It appears, this
particular king of Persia wanted to stay in the good graces of God.
There had been some threat of war, and they wanted the LORD on their
side. The historians say that this king had eighteen sons.
Ezra 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."
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.
Ezra 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."
Ezra is not just priest and scribe, here. The king wanted him to
appoint Godly men to run the government, as well. It is interesting to
me, to note that those who were familiar with the law of God and keep
it were to be the rulers in civil affairs. Ezra was even instructed to
teach the ways of the LORD to those who did not know it.
Ezra 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."
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.
Ezra 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:"
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.
Ezra 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 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.
Ezra 7 Questions
1. What is chapter 7 all about?
2. Who was king of Persia at this time?
3. Who was the father of Ezra?
4. Who would lead this return to their homeland?
5. The lineage, in verses 2 and 3, shows what?
6. Who is one of the author's favorite priests?
7. Who was the first high priest?
8. What was Ezra called in verse 6?
9. The return of the people from Babylon to their homeland was?
10. Who had led the first return to Jerusalem?
11. Who went with Ezra?
12. Who was the grandson of Artaxerxes?
13. When did they leave on the trip?
14. How long did the trip take?
15. How long was the trip?
16. Ezra had prepared his heart to do what?
17. What was Artaxerxes called in verse 12?
18. What did the decree, the king sent with Ezra, allow him to do?
19. Who could go with Ezra?
20. Who agreed with the king in sending the decree?
21. What was the king's purpose in Ezra going?
22. In verse 15, we read that the ________ sent silver and gold.
23. The silver and the gold the king gave wasto be used for what?
24. Anything that was left of the silver and gold, was to be used for
what?
25. If they were still in need for the temple, what was Ezra
authorized to do?
26. What were the limits set on this?
27. The king knew that Ezra spoke as an _________ of God.
28. In verse 25, what is Ezra, besides a priest and a scribe?
29. What were some of the punishments that Ezra could pronounce on
those who would not do the law of God?
30. Who did Ezra bless in verse 27?
31. What strength did Ezra have?
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