ISSL Reflections February 13 2022 Ezra 7:1–10, 23–26 Post 2
IV.
Much of Ezra chapter 7 is attributed to decrees of King Artaxerxes. For instance, a few words not found in our focus reading might open our way to a few more thoughts about Ezra, his charge from the King, his responsibilities, and even how others are to relate to him

“I, King Artaxerxes, decree to all the treasurers in the province Beyond the River: Whatever the priest Ezra, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, requires of you, let it be done with all diligence up to one hundred talents of silver, one hundred cors of wheat, one hundred baths[b] of wine, one hundred baths[c] of oil, and unlimited salt.” (Ezra 7:21-22)

Paying attention to the above and our focus passage, who do you find Ezra to be?

V.
Ezra 7:1-10 (New Revised Standard Version)

After this, in the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub, son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth, son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of the chief priest Aaron — this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses that the Lord the God of Israel had given; and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was upon him.

Some of the people of Israel, and some of the priests and Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple servants also went up to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. They came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. On the first day of the first month the journey up from Babylon was begun, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the gracious hand of his God was upon him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach the statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Ezra 7:23-26 (New Revised Standard Version)

Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done with zeal for the house of the God of heaven, or wrath will come upon the realm of the king and his heirs. We also notify you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on any of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the doorkeepers, the temple servants, or other servants of this house of God.

“And you, Ezra, according to the God-given wisdom you possess, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people in the province Beyond the River who know the laws of your God; and you shall teach those who do not know them. All who will not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be strictly executed on them, whether for death or for banishment or for confiscation of their goods or for imprisonment.”

VI.
A too narrow reading of this week’s Scripture might lead us to only notice Ezra’s responsibilities as a scholar and teacher of the Torah in Israel. But the decree of the King extends his authority beyond that.

He has command of the treasurers that otherwise answer to the King. He appoints “magistrates and judges” to oversee the land and the people. And for those who are not “up to speed” on the Torah, he is their tutor.

What do you think the King sees in Ezra that leads him to give Ezra such responsibility? Why does he trust Ezra the way he does?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}