King Artaxerxes had given a copy of the following letter to Ezra, the priest and scribe who studied and taught the commands and decrees of the Lord to Israel:
“From Artaxerxes, the king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the teacher of the law of the God of heaven.
Greetings.
“I decree that any of the people of Israel in my kingdom, including the priests and Levites, may volunteer to return to Jerusalem with you. I and my council of seven hereby instruct you to conduct an inquiry into the situation in Judah and Jerusalem, based on your God’s law, which is in your hand. We also commission you to take with you silver and gold, which we are freely presenting as an offering to the God of Israel who lives in Jerusalem.
“Furthermore, you are to take any silver and gold that you may obtain from the province of Babylon, as well as the voluntary offerings of the people and the priests that are presented for the Temple of their God in Jerusalem. These donations are to be used specifically for the purchase of bulls, rams, male lambs, and the appropriate grain offerings and liquid offerings, all of which will be offered on the altar of the Temple of your God in Jerusalem. Any silver and gold that is left over may be used in whatever way you and your colleagues feel is the will of your God.
“But as for the cups we are entrusting to you for the service of the Temple of your God, deliver them all to the God of Jerusalem. If you need anything else for your God’s Temple or for any similar needs, you may take it from the royal treasury.”
Ezra 7:11-20 NLT
On we journey with Ezra. The first section of his recorded journey referred to who Ezra was and when he traveled back to Jerusalem. This section records the official document Ezra was given and carried during his travels, proving he had the kings’ approval to be making such an extensive trip with a large group.
When I first read King Artaxerxes’ letter, my heart jumped at the phrase “To Ezra the priest, the teacher of the law of the God of heaven.”
Beautiful. The “king of kings” acknowledging the God of all the heavens. Then I looked up the Hebrew, and the word the king used could mean Big G God or little g god.
And, of course, as the letter continues, the king uses the phrase “your God.”
There is much discussion about King Darius being King Artaxerxes (and King Ahasuerus of the book of Esther). Even though it is debated which historical king this is, his need for the God of heaven is certain.
How about us as believers? Are there people in your life who refer to the Most High as “your” God? Do your prayers and love for them reflect your desire for their eyes to be opened to The God?
If we truly believe we serve the God of heaven and earth – Who does not live in temples built by human hands, but Who is before all things and in Whom all things are held together – others knowing of this God is crucial.
Unfortunately, our friends will see our inconsistencies between this glorious and gracious Yahweh and our character. Our limitations, mistakes, and outright rebellion toward Him and His ways.
But it will be okay. He is God and we are not.
I once read how sharing Jesus is like sharing about the sun – the giant ball of fire just close enough to warm human life and yet far enough away to not vaporize us all.
Sometimes when we talk about Jesus, it’s as if our friends are sitting on the grass and we’re standing between them and their view of this ball of fire. We talk all about it and share our opinions on it.
Meanwhile we could simply move aside and point to it.
Friends, let’s pray to be clear signposts to the only One worthy.
We all know the world desperately needs to see Him.