Ezra 7&8Ezra 7&8

Historical backgroundHistorical background 60 year gap between chapters 6 and 760 year gap between chapters 6 and 7

Darius reign ends 485BCDarius reign ends 485BC

Xerxes (book of Esther) 485-465Xerxes (book of Esther) 485-465

Artaxerxes Longimanus 465-425Artaxerxes Longimanus 465-425– During 7During 7thth year of his reign Ezra resumes year of his reign Ezra resumes– Friendly toward JewsFriendly toward Jews– Granted many favors to Ezra and NehemiahGranted many favors to Ezra and Nehemiah

EzraEzraPriest – great great grandson of SeraiahPriest – great great grandson of SeraiahDescendant of AaronDescendant of AaronAcquainted with king of PersiaAcquainted with king of PersiaKing Artaxerxes granted his requestsKing Artaxerxes granted his requestsHe saw the hand of the Lord working in his He saw the hand of the Lord working in his life (6X’s mentioned)life (6X’s mentioned)A master scribe- expert in the Law of A master scribe- expert in the Law of MosesMosesStarted the first synagogueStarted the first synagogueCanonized OTCanonized OTWrote 1&2 Chronicles, Psalm 119, Ezra, Wrote 1&2 Chronicles, Psalm 119, Ezra, Nehemiah & probably EstherNehemiah & probably Esther

How?How?

Ezra 7:10 Ezra 7:10 

10 For Ezra had 10 For Ezra had prepared his prepared his heartheart to seekto seek the Law of the the Law of the LORD, and LORD, and to do to do itit,, and and to teachto teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.statutes and ordinances in Israel.

1 Corinthians 2:101 Corinthians 2:10

   10 But God has revealed 10 But God has revealed themthem to us to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.all things, yes, the deep things of God.

Ephesians 3:16 Ephesians 3:16 

16 that He would grant you, according to 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,Spirit in the inner man,

How to Increase faithHow to Increase faith

Romans 10:17 Romans 10:17 

17 So then faith 17 So then faith comescomes by hearing, by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.and hearing by the word of God.

Study the WordStudy the Word

Psalm 119:97 Psalm 119:97 

Oh, how I love Your law!Oh, how I love Your law! It  It isis my meditation all the day. my meditation all the day.

Teaching the law of GodTeaching the law of God

Malachi 2:7 Malachi 2:7 

“ “ For the lips of a priest should For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, keep knowledge,       And       And peoplepeople should seek the should seek the law from his mouth; law from his mouth;       For he is the messenger of       For he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.the LORD of hosts.

Putting it into practicePutting it into practice

Nehemiah 8:8 Nehemiah 8:8 

So they read distinctly from the So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped gave the sense, and helped themthem to understand the reading.to understand the reading.

Responsibility teaching the WordResponsibility teaching the Word

2 Timothy 2:2 2 Timothy 2:2 

And the things that you have And the things that you have heard from me among many heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.teach others also.

Ezra 7:1-10Ezra 7:1-10

Now after these things…Now after these things…Ezra chapters 1-6 Ezra chapters 1-6

–deal with Constructiondeal with Construction

Ezra chapters 7-10 Ezra chapters 7-10

–deal with Instructiondeal with Instruction

11 This 11 This isis a copy of the letter that King a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave Ezra the priest, the scribe, Artaxerxes gave Ezra the priest, the scribe, expert in the words of the commandments of expert in the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of His statutes to Israelthe LORD, and of His statutes to Israel: 12 : 12 Artaxerxes, king of kings,Artaxerxes, king of kings,

      To Ezra the priest, To Ezra the priest, a scribe of the Law of the a scribe of the Law of the God of heavenGod of heaven:   Perfect :   Perfect peace,peace, and so forth. and so forth.

  13 I issue a decree that all those of the people 13 I issue a decree that all those of the people of Israel and the priests and Levites in my of Israel and the priests and Levites in my realm, who volunteer to go up to Jerusalem, realm, who volunteer to go up to Jerusalem, may go with you. 14 And whereas you are may go with you. 14 And whereas you are being sent by the king and his seven being sent by the king and his seven counselors counselors to inquire concerning Judah and to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, with regard to the Law of your Jerusalem, with regard to the Law of your God which God which isis in your hand in your hand; ;

15 and 15 and whereas you arewhereas you are to carry the silver to carry the silver and gold which and gold which the king and his the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God counselors have freely offered to the God of Israelof Israel, whose dwelling , whose dwelling isis in Jerusalem; in Jerusalem; 16 and 16 and whereaswhereas all the silver and gold that all the silver and gold that you may find in all the province of you may find in all the province of Babylon, Babylon, along with the freewill offeringalong with the freewill offering of of the people and the priests, the people and the priests, are to beare to be freely freely offered for the house of their God in offered for the house of their God in Jerusalem— 17 Jerusalem— 17 now therefore, be careful now therefore, be careful to buy with this money bulls, rams, and to buy with this money bulls, rams, and lambs, with their grain offerings and their lambs, with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them on the altar drink offerings, and offer them on the altar of the house of your God in Jerusalem.of the house of your God in Jerusalem.

18 And whatever seems good to you 18 And whatever seems good to you and your brethren to and your brethren to do with the rest of do with the rest of the silver and the gold, do it according to the silver and the gold, do it according to the will of your God.the will of your God. 19 Also the 19 Also the articles articles that are given to you for the service of that are given to you for the service of the house of your Godthe house of your God, deliver in full , deliver in full before the God of Jerusalem. 20 And before the God of Jerusalem. 20 And whatever more may be needed for the whatever more may be needed for the house of your God, which you may have house of your God, which you may have occasion to provide, occasion to provide, pay pay for itfor it from the from the king’s treasury. king’s treasury.

21 And I, 21 And I, eveneven I, Artaxerxes the king, I, Artaxerxes the king, issue a decree to all the treasurers who issue a decree to all the treasurers who are in the regionare in the region beyond the River, that beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, may require of Law of the God of heaven, may require of you, let it be done diligentlyyou, let it be done diligently, 22 up to one , 22 up to one hundred talents of silver, one hundred kors hundred talents of silver, one hundred kors of wheat, one hundred baths of wine, one of wheat, one hundred baths of wine, one hundred baths of oil, and salt without hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribed limit. 23 prescribed limit. 23 Whatever is Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it commanded by the God of heaven, let it diligently be done for the house of the God diligently be done for the house of the God of heaven.of heaven. For why should there be wrath For why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his against the realm of the king and his sons? sons?

  24 Also we inform you that 24 Also we inform you that it shall not be it shall not be lawful to impose tax, tribute, or custom on lawful to impose tax, tribute, or custom on any of the priests, Levites, singers, any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Nethinim, or servants of this gatekeepers, Nethinim, or servants of this house of God.house of God. 25 And you, 25 And you, Ezra, Ezra, according to your God-given wisdom, set according to your God-given wisdom, set magistrates and judges who may judgemagistrates and judges who may judge all all the people who the people who are in the regionare in the region beyond beyond the River, all such as know the laws of the River, all such as know the laws of your God; and your God; and teach those who do not teach those who do not know know them.them. 26 26 Whoever will not observe Whoever will not observe the law of your God and the law of the the law of your God and the law of the kingking, let judgment be executed speedily on , let judgment be executed speedily on him, whether him, whether it beit be death, or banishment, death, or banishment, or confiscation of goods, or imprisonment. or confiscation of goods, or imprisonment.

Treasure keepersTreasure keepers

Matthew 13:52 Matthew 13:52 

Then He said to them, “Therefore Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure brings out of his treasure thingsthings new and old.”new and old.”

27 27 Blessed Blessed bebe the LORD God the LORD God of our of our fathers, fathers, who has put who has put such a thingsuch a thing as as this in the king’s heartthis in the king’s heart, to beautify the , to beautify the house of the LORD which house of the LORD which isis in in Jerusalem, 28 Jerusalem, 28 and has extended and has extended mercy to memercy to me before the king and his before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s counselors, and before all the king’s mighty princes. mighty princes. So I was So I was encouragedencouraged, , as the hand of as the hand of the LORD my God the LORD my God waswas upon me upon me; and ; and I gathered leading men of Israel to go I gathered leading men of Israel to go up with me. up with me.

Ezra 8Ezra 8

1 These 1 These areare the heads of their fathers’ the heads of their fathers’ houses,houses, and and this isthis is the genealogy of the genealogy of those who went up with me from those who went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of King Babylon, in the reign of King Artaxerxes:Artaxerxes:

Where are the Levites?Where are the Levites?15 Now I gathered them by the river that flows to 15 Now I gathered them by the river that flows to Ahava, and we camped there three days. Ahava, and we camped there three days. And I And I looked among the people and the priests, and looked among the people and the priests, and found none of the sons of Levi there.found none of the sons of Levi there. 16 Then I 16 Then I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, leaders; Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, leaders; also for Joiarib and Elnathan, men of understanding. also for Joiarib and Elnathan, men of understanding. 17 And I gave them a command for Iddo the chief man 17 And I gave them a command for Iddo the chief man at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say to Iddo should say to Iddo andand his brethren the Nethinim at his brethren the Nethinim at the place Casiphia—that the place Casiphia—that they should bring us they should bring us servants for the house of our God.servants for the house of our God.

Levites 40 / Nethinim 220Levites 40 / Nethinim 22018 Then, 18 Then, by the good hand of our God by the good hand of our God upon usupon us, they brought us a man of , they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli the understanding, of the sons of Mahli the son of Levi, the son of Israel, namely son of Levi, the son of Israel, namely Sherebiah, with his sons and brothers, Sherebiah, with his sons and brothers, eighteen men; 19 and Hashabiah, and eighteen men; 19 and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brothers and their sons, twenty men; his brothers and their sons, twenty men; 20 also of the Nethinim, whom David and 20 also of the Nethinim, whom David and the leaders had appointed for the service the leaders had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim. All of them were designated by Nethinim. All of them were designated by name. name.

Fasting and Prayer for ProtectionFasting and Prayer for Protection

21 Then I 21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the proclaimed a fast there at the riverriver of Ahava, of Ahava, that we might humble that we might humble ourselves before our Godourselves before our God, , to seek from to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.and all our possessions.

22 For I was ashamed to request of the 22 For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, because we had spoken to the king, saying, saying,

“ “The hand of our God The hand of our God isis upon all upon all those for good who seek Him, but those for good who seek Him, but

His power and His wrath His power and His wrath areare against all those who forsake against all those who forsake

Him.”Him.”

23 So we fasted and entreated 23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He our God for this, and He answered our prayer. answered our prayer.

Fasting and prayerFasting and prayer

Powerful for the believer who desires Powerful for the believer who desires to move in the Spiritto move in the Spirit

Deny the physical to concentrate on Deny the physical to concentrate on the spiritualthe spiritual

Consistent prayer life gives us Consistent prayer life gives us protection from enemies that lie and protection from enemies that lie and wait for us wait for us – Ones we don’t see or could ever imagine are Ones we don’t see or could ever imagine are

out to get us.out to get us.

Wait on the LordWait on the Lord

““Sometimes we try to be filled with Sometimes we try to be filled with the Spirit when we need to be the Spirit when we need to be

emptied of the flesh”emptied of the flesh” Jon Courson Jon Courson

Coming to the water: Spirit filled lifeComing to the water: Spirit filled lifeAnkle deep-Ankle deep- believing in God: salvation believing in God: salvation

Knees-Knees- life of prayer for self and others life of prayer for self and others

Waist-Waist- sharing Faith; others are born again sharing Faith; others are born again

Over our head-Over our head- swimming in it but can no swimming in it but can no longer control it (those who have asked the longer control it (those who have asked the Lord to take total control of their lives)Lord to take total control of their lives)

24 And I separated twelve of the leaders of 24 And I separated twelve of the leaders of the priests—Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and the priests—Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them— 25 and ten of their brethren with them— 25 and weighed out to them the silver, the gold, weighed out to them the silver, the gold, and the articles, and the articles, the offering for the house the offering for the house of our Godof our God which the king and his which the king and his counselors and his princes, and all Israel counselors and his princes, and all Israel who werewho were present, had offered. 26 I present, had offered. 26 I weighed into their hand six hundred and weighed into their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, silver articles fifty talents of silver, silver articles weighingweighing one hundred talents, one hundred talents one hundred talents, one hundred talents of gold, 27 twenty gold basins of gold, 27 twenty gold basins worthworth a a thousand drachmas, and two vessels of thousand drachmas, and two vessels of fine polished bronze, precious as gold. fine polished bronze, precious as gold.

28 And I said to them, 28 And I said to them, “You “You areare holy to the holy to the LORD; the articles LORD; the articles areare holy also holy also; and the ; and the silver and the gold silver and the gold areare a freewill offering to a freewill offering to the LORDthe LORD God of your fathers. God of your fathers. 29 29 Watch and keep Watch and keep themthem until you weigh until you weigh themthem before the leaders of the priests and before the leaders of the priests and the Levites and heads of the fathers’ the Levites and heads of the fathers’ houseshouses of Israel in Jerusalem, of Israel in Jerusalem, inin the the chambers of the house of the LORD.”chambers of the house of the LORD.” 30 So the priests and the Levites received 30 So the priests and the Levites received the silver and the gold and the articles by the silver and the gold and the articles by weight, to bring weight, to bring themthem to Jerusalem to the to Jerusalem to the house of our God. house of our God.

We too are treasure keepersWe too are treasure keepers

Matthew 25:21 Matthew 25:21 

His lord said to him, ‘Well His lord said to him, ‘Well done,done, good and faithful servant; you good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’lord.’

What temple treasure has been What temple treasure has been entrusted to you personally?entrusted to you personally?

The JourneyThe Journey

31 Then we departed from the river of 31 Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth Ahava on the twelfth dayday of the first month, of the first month, to go to Jerusalem. And to go to Jerusalem. And the hand of our the hand of our God was upon usGod was upon us, and He delivered us , and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from from the hand of the enemy and from ambush along the road.ambush along the road.

32 So we came to Jerusalem, and stayed 32 So we came to Jerusalem, and stayed there three days. there three days.

Delivering Treasure Delivering Treasure 33 Now on the fourth day the silver and 33 Now on the fourth day the silver and the gold and the gold and the articles were weighed the articles were weighed in the house of our Godin the house of our God by the hand of by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest, and Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest, and with him with him waswas Eleazar the son of Phinehas; Eleazar the son of Phinehas; with them with them werewere the Levites, Jozabad the the Levites, Jozabad the son of Jeshua and Noadiah the son of son of Jeshua and Noadiah the son of Binnui, 34 with the number Binnui, 34 with the number andand weight of weight of everything. All the weight was written everything. All the weight was written down at that time.down at that time.

Worshipping the LordWorshipping the Lord

35 The children of those who had been 35 The children of those who had been carried away captive, who had come carried away captive, who had come from the captivity, offered burnt offerings from the captivity, offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel: twelve bulls for all to the God of Israel: twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and twelve male goats lambs, and twelve male goats asas a sin a sin offering. offering. All All thisthis waswas a burnt offering to a burnt offering to the LORDthe LORD. .

Political BusinessPolitical Business

36 And they delivered the king’s 36 And they delivered the king’s orders to the king’s satraps and the orders to the king’s satraps and the governors governors in the regionin the region beyond the beyond the River. So they gave support to the River. So they gave support to the people and the house of God. people and the house of God.