Listen to The Bible:
KJV
Watch Bible video:
KJV

Spread the word and...






Ezra 7

Ezr 7


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,

2 The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,

3 The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,

4 The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,

5 The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:

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.

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.

8 And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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;



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,

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

If you would like to listen for free to MP3 audio version of this chapter, or any other chapter from The Book of Ezra KJV, please click the button below.



Summary and the Meaning of Chapter 7 of the Book of Ezra

The Book of Ezra is a historical book in the Old Testament of the Bible, which tells the story of the return of the Jews from exile in Babylon to their homeland of Judah. Chapter 7 of the book focuses on the arrival of Ezra, a priest and scribe, to Jerusalem, and his mission to restore the law of God among the people. This chapter also highlights the importance of obedience to God's law and the role of leaders in upholding it. Through the story of Ezra, we see the faithfulness of God and the significance of following His laws.

The Arrival of Ezra in Jerusalem (Ezra 7:1-10)

The chapter begins with the introduction of Ezra, a descendant of Aaron, the first high priest of Israel. Ezra was a skilled scribe and a devoted follower of God's law. He was sent by King Artaxerxes of Persia to Jerusalem, along with a group of Jews, to continue the rebuilding of the temple and to establish the law of God in the land. Ezra's arrival in Jerusalem was a significant event, as it marked the return of the Jews to their homeland after years of exile.

Ezra's arrival also signified the fulfillment of God's promise to His people, as prophesied by the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:10). This was a reminder to the Jews that God was faithful to His word and that He had not forgotten them, even in their exile. It was a time of great joy and celebration for the people, as they welcomed their fellow Jews and their leader, Ezra, with open arms.

The Commission of Ezra (Ezra 7:11-26)

After his arrival in Jerusalem, Ezra was given a commission by King Artaxerxes to lead the people and to re-establish the law of God in Judah. The king granted Ezra with all the resources he needed for the journey, including silver, gold, and other valuable items, as well as authority to appoint magistrates and judges to enforce the law.

This commission was a testament to the favor that Ezra had found in the eyes of the king, and it showed God's hand at work in the situation. The king's decree also highlighted the importance of having a leader who was faithful and knowledgeable in the law of God. This commission was not only a responsibility but also a great honor for Ezra, as he was chosen by God to lead His people and to restore His laws among them.

The Obedience of the People (Ezra 7:27-28)

One of the main themes of this chapter is obedience to God's law. The people of Israel had been in exile for many years, and during that time, they had neglected the law of God. However, with the arrival of Ezra and the commission given to him by the king, the people were reminded of the importance of following God's law. They were also reminded of the consequences of disobedience, as they had experienced firsthand the consequences of turning away from God.

The people responded to Ezra's call for obedience by committing themselves to follow the law of God. This was a crucial step in the restoration of their relationship with God. The people recognized that their disobedience had led them into exile, and they were determined to obey God's law and to avoid the same mistakes in the future.

The Faithfulness of God (Ezra 7:27-28)

Another significant theme in this chapter is the faithfulness of God. Throughout the Bible, we see how God remains faithful to His people, even when they are unfaithful to Him. The return of the Jews to their homeland and the commission of Ezra were both a testament to God's faithfulness. Despite their disobedience, God had not forgotten His people and had brought them back to their promised land, just as He had promised.

The commission given to Ezra by the king was also a result of God's faithfulness. It was clear that God had orchestrated the events to bring Ezra to Jerusalem and to restore the law among the people. This was a reminder to the Jews that God was with them and that He would continue to guide and provide for them as long as they remained faithful to Him.

The Significance of Following God's Law

The story of Ezra also highlights the importance of following God's law. The law of God was given to the Israelites to guide them, protect them, and to keep them in a right relationship with Him. However, the Jews had neglected the law and had suffered the consequences of their disobedience. With the arrival of Ezra, the people were reminded of the significance of following God's law and the blessings that come with obedience.

In today's society, we may not have the same laws and customs as the Israelites, but the principle remains the same. As Christians, we are called to follow the teachings of Jesus and to live according to His commandments. Just as the Jews were reminded of the importance of following God's law, we too must remember the significance of following Jesus and His teachings.

The Role of Leaders in Upholding God's Law

Another lesson we can learn from this chapter is the role of leaders in upholding God's law. Ezra was not just a priest and scribe, but he was also a leader chosen by God to guide His people. The king's decree gave Ezra the authority to appoint magistrates and judges to enforce the law among the people. This shows the importance of having leaders who are faithful to God and who will uphold His laws.

As Christians, we are called to be leaders in our communities and to be examples of Christ's teachings. We are also called to hold each other accountable and to help one another stay on the right path. The story of Ezra reminds us of the significance of having leaders who are faithful to God and His word, and the impact they can have on the community.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Chapter 7 of the Book of Ezra is a significant chapter that highlights the arrival of Ezra in Jerusalem and his commission to restore the law of God among the people. Through this story, we see the faithfulness of God and the importance of following His law. We are also reminded of the role of leaders in upholding God's law and the significance of obedience to Him. Overall, this chapter teaches us valuable lessons about faith, obedience, and the faithfulness of God.



This article is informed by the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the authors' personal knowledge, considerations and experience, and additional materials and resources available in internet.

Share this page

Holy-Bible.online
© 2018 - 2024

x