Ezra 7:21-28
"Praise be to the Lord, the God of our fathers, who has put it into the king's heart to bring honor to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem in this way."
(EZRA 7:27)
Ezra is acknowledging that God orchestrated the past harsh captivity that God's people experienced and would now work through a pagan king to give Judah hope for the future. Our all-powerful God is more than capable to "put it into the king's heart" to change when we are confronted with issues beyond our control. We do not need to lose heart.
Back in the early 1970s I was asking God to change the minds of world leaders of the USA and Japan to allow our English language radio station to continue its broadcasting on Okinawa after the Ryukyu Islands were returned to Japan. The US had administrated them since the conclusion of WW2. In Japan it was not possible for a "foreign owned" station to broadcast. Yet, God began to move to make the miracle happen. There were letters, visits, lots of prayer, and on June 23, 1972, the Japan Times printed an article, "Gov't Issues Advance License to FEBC." What an answer to prayer and what an opportunity to celebrate and praise God for abundant blessing and direction!
INSIGHT
GOD OVERSEES OUR EFFORTS AND DREAMS SO WE CAN CELEBRATE HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS THROUGH WORSHIP AND PRAISE.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
1 Chronicles 28, 29
Psalm 7
Matthew 10, 11
Ezra 7:21-28
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
21 Now I, King Artaxerxes, order all the treasurers of Trans-Euphrates to provide with diligence whatever Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law of the God of heaven, may ask of you— 22 up to a hundred talents[a] of silver, a hundred cors[b] of wheat, a hundred baths[c] of wine, a hundred baths[d] of olive oil, and salt without limit. 23 Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the God of heaven. Why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and of his sons? 24 You are also to know that you have no authority to impose taxes, tribute or duty on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants or other workers at this house of God.
25 And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God, which you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people of Trans-Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach any who do not know them. 26 Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king must surely be punished by death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.
27 Praise be to the Lord, the God of our fathers, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honor to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem in this way 28 and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.
Footnotes:
a. Ezra 7:22 That is, about 3 3/4 tons (about 3.4 metric tons)
b. Ezra 7:22 That is, probably about 600 bushels (about 22 kiloliters)
c. Ezra 7:22 That is, probably about 600 gallons (about 2.2 kiloliters)
d. Ezra 7:22 That is, probably about 600 gallons (about 2.2 kiloliters)
CHRISTIANS YOU SHOULD KNOW - CHARLES SPURGEON
Thousands met Jesus through the ministry of Charles Spurgeon, but few people realize that he also struggled with depression. His story is a testimony of God's power to use anyone to make a difference.
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