PROCLAMATION
“Now therefore, Tatnai, governor
beyond the river, … and your companions … be ye far from thence; Let the work
of this house of God alone …” Ezra 6:6-7
(KJV)
EXPLANATION
The Bible Book of Ezra was written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by
Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar, according to Jewish
tradition. After being called out to do
so, King Darius issued a decree for a search of the archives in Babylon and a
scroll was found containing the decree by King Cyrus concerning the building of
the house of God in Jerusalem. (Ezra 6:1-5)
Then Darius the king told Tatnai the governor to stay away from the Jews
in Jerusalem and let the work on the house of God continue. Additionally, Darius decreed that Tatnai
should pay the men of Jerusalem and provide them with bullocks, rams, and lambs
for burnt offerings and wheat, salt, wine, and oil as needed by the priests
daily. (Ezra 6:6-10) Darius also decreed
that anyone who does not keep his decree should have a beam pulled out of his
house and he shall be hanged thereon.
That person’s house should be made into a dunghill. (Ezra 6:11-12) Then Tatnai and his companions quickly did as
Darius had decreed. The elders of the
Jews finished the house of God and the wall around it. Then they offered a celebration and
dedication of the house of God offering a hundred bullocks, two hundred rams,
four hundred lambs, and then twelve he goats for a sin offering for all
Israel. Later they kept the Passover and
slaughtered the Passover lamb, and they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread for
seven days. (Ezra 6:13-22)
APPLICATION
Be careful with respect to how you
treat the people of God. Here the attack
on the people of God backfired on their enemies. (Ezra 6:6-11) The evil that our enemies have planned for us
can be turned back upon themselves.
Remember that Haman was hanged on the gallows which he had prepared for
Mordecai. (Ester 7:10) We are to love
our fellow believers, (John 13:34) as well as love our enemies and pray for
them. (Matthew 5:44) The Lord God will
take care of those who do wrong unto us. (Romans 12:19)
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