I, King Artaxerxes, decree to all the treasurers west of the Euphrates: Whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, may require of you, it must be provided promptly, Sermons
I. THE MEASURE. 1. This should be generous. "Whatsoever Ezra the priest," etc. (1) Provision for the immediate wants of the temple had already been made in the free gifts - viz., from the king, from his counsellors, from his people in the province of Babylon, from the Jews abiding there (see vers. 15-20). (2) This direction was intended to sustain the service in perpetuity. Fitful generosity is better than none; but principle, rather than emotion or passion, should guide. The cause of God should not languish for support until men make their wills and die. (3) The ministers of the sanctuary were to be exempted from taxation (ver. 24). The reason is that they were dependent for support upon the gifts of the people; and it is respectful to their sacred office that they should be generously treated. 2. It should not be reckless. (1) Here is a prescribed limit. "Unto," etc. (ver. 22). A talent of silver is estimated as equivalent to £400, so here the limit is f 40,000. The measure (cor) is estimated at 86 gallons, so here the limit is 8600 gallons of wheat. The bath is seven gallons and five pints, so the limit of wine is 760 gallons. (2) Two things should limit our liberality - viz., (a) The necessity of the case. (b) Our ability. If we give what is not ours we act fraudulently. 3. It should be religious. "Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven," etc. (ver. 23). (1) The laws of God are reasonable, merciful, just. (2) Therefore if "the scribe of the God of heaven," an inspired man, be he Ezra, Moses, or Paul, in the sacred writings, make demands, these should be respected. (3) But this does not say that uninspired men, because in clerical orders, have any right dogmatically to prescribe to the laity. If there be no sphere for the right of private judgment, there is an end to individual responsibility. II. THE SPIRIT. 1. It should be diligent. "Let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven" (ver. 23). (1) Sacred objects are fittingly called "charities," or objects of love. The cause of God in all its departments should be dear to us, and the claims of these will be diligently studied as a labour of love. (2) Pains should be taken so to minister liberality that the maximum of good may be attained. Causes should be "sought out" (Job 29:16). Promiscuous relief may encourage deception, and what is given to the worthless is diverted from the worthy. (3) Careless donors are responsible to God for the misery they might have alleviated by the use of diligence. 2. It should be prompt. "Let it be done speedily" (ver. 21). (1) This note was rendered necessary by the tardy manner in which things are commonly done in the East. Through this slowness incalculable misery is endured. But "the king's business requires haste." (2) Much more the work of God. This is of the utmost importance. Eternal issues depend upon it. Time is running. Souls are perishing. III. THE REASONS. 1. It should be done unto God. (1) Ezra was to receive from the treasurers what he needed - viz., in his capacity as "the priest" and the "scribe of the law of the God of heaven." What he should need for the temple and the altar. What his learning in the law of God should instruct him was needful to the service of the God of heaven (ver. 23). (2) No higher reason than this can be conceived. 2. The prosperity of the realm required it. "For why should wrath be against the realm?" The history of nations shows that as they became haughty against God they suffered adversity. Egypt. Old Canaan. Nineveh. Babylon. (2) Why should not a blessing be upon the realm? Was not the hand of God conspicuous in the prosperity of Persia (see Ezra 1:2)? At this very time Longimanus began to be successful against a formidable rebellion in Egypt. 3. The happiness of the royal family is concerned. (1) "Why should wrath be against the king?" The reverses of a nation are reverses to the king. But the king, like his subjects, has his individual responsibilities to God. His elevation no more exempts him than their obscurity conceals them from his claims upon the personal homage of intellect and heart. (2) Why should wrath be against the king's "sons"? God has set mankind in families, so "the seed of the righteous is blessed." History also shows how families are ruined by irreligion. The antediluvians. The posterity of Nebuchadnezzar (see Daniel 5:5). Money is a prodigious power for evil or for good. Those who have it should never cease to pray for grace to use it wisely. - J.A.M.
The Lord God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem. I. THIS HOLY ALLIANCE: "The God of Israel." We have here —1. A description of God and His Church. The "God of Israel" includes both. Israel His Church; and the God that claims it; a living God amidst a living people. 2. Infinitude associated with a royal seed. Israel signifies a prevailing prince before God. 3. A veritable portion on both sides. "The Lord's portion is His people'; "The Lord is my portion, saith my soul. 4. The living connection between God and His people constitutes the stronghold of faith. II. HIS HABITATION. He dwells — 1. In "the Jerusalem which is above." 2. In the living Church of God which was typified by Jerusalem. 3. In the Jerusalem of every regenerated soul. (J. Irons.) People Aaron, Abishua, Ahitub, Amariah, Artaxerxes, Azariah, Bukki, Eleazar, Ezra, Hilkiah, Israelites, Levites, Meraioth, Phinehas, Seraiah, Shallum, Uzzi, Zadok, ZerahiahPlaces Babylonia, Beyond the River, Jerusalem, PersiaTopics Across, Artaxerxes, Ar-ta-xerx'es, Beyond, Care, Decree, Diligence, Diligently, Euphrates, Ezra, Heaven, Heavens, Issue, Keepers, King's, Law, Money, Order, Orders, Priest, Provide, Province, Provinces, Require, Requires, River, Scribe, Speedily, Teacher, Trans, Treasurers, Whatever, WhatsoeverOutline 1. Ezra goes up to Jerusalem11. The gracious commission of Artaxerxes to Ezra 27. Ezra blesses God for this favor Dictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 7:1-21 4363 silver 4357 salt Library Appendix. The Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament. 1. The Greek word Apocrypha, hidden, that is, hidden or secret books, was early applied by the fathers of the Christian church to anonymous or spurious books that falsely laid claim to be a part of the inspired word. By some, as Jerome, the term was extended to all the books incorporated by the Alexandrine Jews, in their Greek version, into the proper canon of the Old Testament, a few of which books, though not inspired, are undoubtedly genuine. Another designation of the books in question … E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Reading the Law with Tears and Joy Rome and Ephesus Authorship of the Pentateuch. Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses. Brave Encouragements General Account of Jesus' Teaching. The Section Chap. I. -iii. Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon. Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature The Historical Books. Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories Ezra-Nehemiah Links Ezra 7:21 NIVEzra 7:21 NLT Ezra 7:21 ESV Ezra 7:21 NASB Ezra 7:21 KJV Ezra 7:21 Bible Apps Ezra 7:21 Parallel Ezra 7:21 Biblia Paralela Ezra 7:21 Chinese Bible Ezra 7:21 French Bible Ezra 7:21 German Bible Ezra 7:21 Commentaries Bible Hub |