Ezr 7:13 | KingComments | STEP | The king gives a decree to Ezra ( ). It will open the necessary doors for Ezra in Israel to do his service. As an introduction to the decree we read the testimony of the Holy Spirit about Ezra. The Holy Spirit testifies that Ezra has a thorough knowledge of God’s Word. God’s Word is indicated here in two ways. They are “the words of the commandments of the LORD” and they are “His statutes to Israel”. The first emphasizes Him from Whom the words originate and that they are commandments, which requires obedience. The second indicates what their purpose is and for whom they are meant. They are statutes or rules for life given for the good of Israel. After the testimony of the Holy Spirit the king gives a similar testimony in the opening of his decree ( ). This shows what kind of testimony has gone forth from Ezra in the midst of the heathen world (cf. ; ). This is how the king knows him. Artaxerxes seems to have a certain knowledge of God. He calls Him “the God of heaven” ( ), “your God”, i.e. the God of Ezra ( ), “the God of Israel” ( ) and “the God of Jerusalem” ( ). Ezra is granted the same kind of favor ( ) as before by Cyrus to God’s people in Babylon ( ). In this way the Spirit of God once more works a deliverance from a number of members of His people. Here, too, everyone is allowed to go to Jerusalem voluntarily. Whoever wishes to do so, may know that he or she is supported by a command of the king, through which no one will dare to raise obstacles for anyone who wants to go. The opportunity to go is offered, while there is also protection for everyone who goes. Arthahsasta then turns to Ezra. He points out to Ezra that he and his “seven counselors” (cf. ) send him to Jerusalem “to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem according to the law of your God” ( ). Ezra does not go to Judea and Jerusalem to see whether things there correspond to his ideas, but whether the people live in accordance with God’s Word. That Word “is in his hand” and he can hold that up to the people as the norm. How important it is for us that we test everything in God’s church against God’s Word that we possess. Having it in our possession is something more than merely applying it to all situations of our own life and the life of the church. The king and his counselors also voluntarily give Ezra silver and gold ( ). They give it to Ezra, but it is meant for “the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem”. In addition, Ezra has to add all the silver and gold he can find in the whole region of Babylon, along with the voluntary gifts of the people and the priests ( ). It is all intended “for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem”. It is remarkable how often is spoken about their acting voluntarily in these verses. Any thought of coercion is absent here (cf. ). Artaxerxes tells Ezra what to do with the money. He must buy various kinds of offerings with that money “and offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem” ( ; cf. ). Each time it is emphasized that God desires His people to offer Him offerings in His house. These are now spiritual sacrifices, sacrifices of praise and thanks of which Christ and His work are the contents and which are brought to Him in His spiritual home, the church. In addition to the prescribed destination of money for offerings, Ezra is free to do with the rest of the money as he sees fit ( ). This does not mean that he can act outside the will of God, for the king adds that it must be “according to the will of your God”. Nor is it prescribed for us in all cases how we should serve God. General rules are given, while there is often individual freedom to give thanks and perform our service after spiritual exercise and testing against God’s Word. Ezra also has to ensure that everything that has been given to him for the service of God’s house actually ends up there ( ). It determines that what has been given to us is meant to serve God in His house. Our whole life with all that we possess belongs to Him. Everything is available to Him and the service in His house. It is good to be reminded of this in our time of individualism, in which everyone does what is right in his own eyes. The importance of the house of God, the church of God, must again be seen by us. If the house of God becomes important to us again, we may call upon the unlimited supplies of “royal treasury”. This speaks to us of Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” ( ). In Him we find everything we need for our service in the house of God, the church of the living God. Artaxerxes further commands all treasurers in the decree that they must “diligently” do everything Ezra asks of them ( ). He makes clear to the treasurers what kind of man Ezra is by presenting him to them as “Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven”. Also, Artaxerxes indicates what means and in what quantities can be delivered to him at the request of Ezra ( ). Artaxerxes tells why everything he has prescribed must be done ( ). For there is a God of heaven Who has a home on earth. Everything that the God of heaven commands with respect to His house must be done accurately. Remarkably, Artaxerxes calls the house of God “the house of the God of heaven”. He thereby acknowledges the exaltedness of God Who dwells on earth. By taking Him into account and honoring Him he ensures “that there will not be wrath against the kingdom of the king and his sons”. If we do as God pleases, God will not only withhold His wrath, but He will bless us. The king also forbids all those involved in the service in God’s house to “impose tax, tribute or toll” ( ). This means that he makes them protectors of His throne. All that the servants of the house of God receive for their sustenance, the tithes they receive from God’s people, is tax-free. It is entirely for them. Finally the king says to Ezra that he must “appoint magistrates and judges “ ( ). They are to judge “judge all the people ... [even] all those who know the laws of your God”. This means so much that the whole people of God are supposed to know God’s laws. The same is true for God’s people now, for they are also supposed to know God’s Word. God’s Word must be revealed to those who do not know it. Although the people are supposed to know God’s Word, situations may occur that are contrary to God’s Word. Then justice must be done and an explanation must be given as to why something is contrary to God’s Word. In fact, it is the task of every believer to judge when he sees that something is happening that is contrary to what God has said (cf. ). In addition to God’s law, there is also the law of the king ( ). The people not only owe obedience to God, but also to the government placed over them by God on earth. This also applies to us: Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” ( ). Government is also set to exercise punishment when one does not keep the law. Artaxerxes points this out to Ezra and Paul points it out to us ( ).

‏ Ezra 7:13

The Decree of King Artaxerxes

The king gives a decree to Ezra (Ezra 7:11). It will open the necessary doors for Ezra in Israel to do his service. As an introduction to the decree we read the testimony of the Holy Spirit about Ezra. The Holy Spirit testifies that Ezra has a thorough knowledge of God’s Word. God’s Word is indicated here in two ways. They are “the words of the commandments of the LORD” and they are “His statutes to Israel”. The first emphasizes Him from Whom the words originate and that they are commandments, which requires obedience. The second indicates what their purpose is and for whom they are meant. They are statutes or rules for life given for the good of Israel.

After the testimony of the Holy Spirit the king gives a similar testimony in the opening of his decree (Ezra 7:12). This shows what kind of testimony has gone forth from Ezra in the midst of the heathen world (cf. 1Thes 4:12a; Col 4:5). This is how the king knows him. Artaxerxes seems to have a certain knowledge of God. He calls Him “the God of heaven” (Ezra 7:12 ; 21 ; 23), “your God”, i.e. the God of Ezra (Ezra 7:14 ; 25 ; 26), “the God of Israel” (Ezra 7:15) and “the God of Jerusalem” (Ezra 7:19).

Ezra is granted the same kind of favor (Ezra 7:13) as before by Cyrus to God’s people in Babylon (Ezra 1:1-4). In this way the Spirit of God once more works a deliverance from a number of members of His people. Here, too, everyone is allowed to go to Jerusalem voluntarily. Whoever wishes to do so, may know that he or she is supported by a command of the king, through which no one will dare to raise obstacles for anyone who wants to go. The opportunity to go is offered, while there is also protection for everyone who goes.

Arthahsasta then turns to Ezra. He points out to Ezra that he and his “seven counselors” (cf. Est 1:14) send him to Jerusalem “to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem according to the law of your God” (Ezra 7:14). Ezra does not go to Judea and Jerusalem to see whether things there correspond to his ideas, but whether the people live in accordance with God’s Word. That Word “is in his hand” and he can hold that up to the people as the norm. How important it is for us that we test everything in God’s church against God’s Word that we possess. Having it in our possession is something more than merely applying it to all situations of our own life and the life of the church.

The king and his counselors also voluntarily give Ezra silver and gold (Ezra 7:15). They give it to Ezra, but it is meant for “the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem”. In addition, Ezra has to add all the silver and gold he can find in the whole region of Babylon, along with the voluntary gifts of the people and the priests (Ezra 7:16). It is all intended “for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem”. It is remarkable how often is spoken about their acting voluntarily in these verses. Any thought of coercion is absent here (cf. 2Cor 9:5-7).

Artaxerxes tells Ezra what to do with the money. He must buy various kinds of offerings with that money “and offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem” (Ezra 7:17; cf. Deu 14:24-26). Each time it is emphasized that God desires His people to offer Him offerings in His house. These are now spiritual sacrifices, sacrifices of praise and thanks of which Christ and His work are the contents and which are brought to Him in His spiritual home, the church.

In addition to the prescribed destination of money for offerings, Ezra is free to do with the rest of the money as he sees fit (Ezra 7:18). This does not mean that he can act outside the will of God, for the king adds that it must be “according to the will of your God”. Nor is it prescribed for us in all cases how we should serve God. General rules are given, while there is often individual freedom to give thanks and perform our service after spiritual exercise and testing against God’s Word.

Ezra also has to ensure that everything that has been given to him for the service of God’s house actually ends up there (Ezra 7:19). It determines that what has been given to us is meant to serve God in His house. Our whole life with all that we possess belongs to Him. Everything is available to Him and the service in His house.

It is good to be reminded of this in our time of individualism, in which everyone does what is right in his own eyes. The importance of the house of God, the church of God, must again be seen by us. If the house of God becomes important to us again, we may call upon the unlimited supplies of “royal treasury”. This speaks to us of Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3). In Him we find everything we need for our service in the house of God, the church of the living God.

Artaxerxes further commands all treasurers in the decree that they must “diligently” do everything Ezra asks of them (Ezra 7:21). He makes clear to the treasurers what kind of man Ezra is by presenting him to them as “Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven”. Also, Artaxerxes indicates what means and in what quantities can be delivered to him at the request of Ezra (Ezra 7:22).

Artaxerxes tells why everything he has prescribed must be done (Ezra 7:23). For there is a God of heaven Who has a home on earth. Everything that the God of heaven commands with respect to His house must be done accurately. Remarkably, Artaxerxes calls the house of God “the house of the God of heaven”. He thereby acknowledges the exaltedness of God Who dwells on earth. By taking Him into account and honoring Him he ensures “that there will not be wrath against the kingdom of the king and his sons”. If we do as God pleases, God will not only withhold His wrath, but He will bless us.

The king also forbids all those involved in the service in God’s house to “impose tax, tribute or toll” (Ezra 7:24). This means that he makes them protectors of His throne. All that the servants of the house of God receive for their sustenance, the tithes they receive from God’s people, is tax-free. It is entirely for them.

Finally the king says to Ezra that he must “appoint magistrates and judges “ (Ezra 7:25). They are to judge “judge all the people ... [even] all those who know the laws of your God”. This means so much that the whole people of God are supposed to know God’s laws. The same is true for God’s people now, for they are also supposed to know God’s Word. God’s Word must be revealed to those who do not know it.

Although the people are supposed to know God’s Word, situations may occur that are contrary to God’s Word. Then justice must be done and an explanation must be given as to why something is contrary to God’s Word. In fact, it is the task of every believer to judge when he sees that something is happening that is contrary to what God has said (cf. 1Cor 6:1-7).

In addition to God’s law, there is also the law of the king (Ezra 7:26). The people not only owe obedience to God, but also to the government placed over them by God on earth. This also applies to us: Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” (Rom 13:1). Government is also set to exercise punishment when one does not keep the law. Artaxerxes points this out to Ezra and Paul points it out to us (Rom 13:2-4).