Scripture Daily

Context No. 3415 of 4322 · Ezra

Context · Reflection

Ezra 7:21-28: in context

21I, even I, Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers who are beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, requires of you, it shall be done with all diligence, 22up to one hundred talents of silver, and to one hundred cors of wheat, and to one hundred baths of wine, and to one hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. 23Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done exactly for the house of the God of heaven; for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons? 24Also we inform you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants, or laborers of this house of God. 25You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people who are beyond the River, who all know the laws of your God; and teach him who doesn’t know them. 26Whoever will not do the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed on him with all diligence, whether it is to death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment. 27Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the LORD’s house which is in Jerusalem; 28and has extended loving kindness to me before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty princes. I was strengthened according to the LORD my God’s hand on me, and I gathered together chief men out of Israel to go up with me.

The pagan king Artaxerxes issues a remarkable decree, granting Ezra whatever he needs for the temple, exempting its servants from tax, and giving him authority to teach and establish God's law throughout the province. And Ezra's response points past the king to the real source of it all.

Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, he says, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, and who extended his steadfast love to me before the king and his counselors. Ezra sees that it was not merely royal favor but God at work, moving the heart of a pagan emperor to bless his people. The king thought he was making his own decision; Ezra knew whose hand was behind it. When circumstances or people favor us unexpectedly, faith looks past the visible cause to the God who turns the hearts of kings, and gives him the thanks. What looks like human goodwill or good fortune is often the quiet working of God.

When things go well through the favor of others, do I look past the visible cause to thank the God who moves hearts, rather than crediting only human goodwill or my own luck?

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