Ezra 7 - Commentary
This chapter is all about the second return of the people, who had been in captivity in Babylon, to their homeland. This return was led by Ezra.
Ezra 7:2-5
This is showing the Ezra's right to be priest in the land. His direct lineage goes back to Phinehas, one of my favorite priests, and then on back to Aaron, who was the first high priest.
Ezra 7:6
We mentioned before that the return of the people from Babylon was gradual, over a few years. Zerubbabel led the first group, and now, Ezra was leading the second group back. Ezra had never gotten away from the Law of Moses. He had remained faithful to it through all of the hardships.
Ezra 7:7
This Artaxerxes was the grandson of Darius, and the son of Xerxes. The children of Israel, priests, Levites, singers, porters, and Nethanims were more of the same class of people, who went up in the first exodus following Zerubbabel.
Ezra 7:8
We can see from these two Scriptures, that this journey took about 4 months. They left Babylon about April first on our calendar, and arrived in August. We mentioned earlier that this trip was approximately 1,000 miles.
Ezra 7:10
Ezra was determined to make this trip, so he could teach the law to the people, again. He wanted Israel to return to God's laws and ordinances.
Ezra 7:11
We know, that without permission from the Persian king, they could not have gone back to their homeland. This decree, from the king, first, gave them permission to leave Babylon and go back to Judah. The letter that the king sent to Ezra, gave him special privileges by authority of the king. It was a letter of authority, wherever he went. Ezra was a man who had gained respect from the king as a man who kept the law and commandments of God.
Ezra 7:12
This is the beginning of the words of the decree. The king of Persia was called king of kings, because at this time the Persians were very powerful in the known world. It is interesting, to me, that these Persian rulers recognized God. In essence, the decree is saying that the king has no argument with Ezra. He will allow Ezra to do what he desires to do.
Ezra 7:13
We see, from this, that all who had been captives were now free to go. Ezra must not force them to go, but if they desired to go they could. This would stop any of the people, they had been working for, keeping them from going. They had permission of the king, which overrules anything individuals might do to stop them.
Ezra 7:14
These seven counsellors are, probably, the seven princes of Persia and Media. Ezra's purpose, as far as the king was concerned, was to check on what was happening in Judah and Jerusalem. The king had made everything available for Ezra to carry the mission out. Ezra wanted to check on the people, and make sure they had not fallen back into idolatry.
Ezra 7:15
This would be a large sum of money in the silver and gold. The large number of Hebrews, who would be with Ezra, would be protection against highway robbery. Ezra was in charge of the silver and gold, as he was over all the people. The king of Persia had given considerably large amounts to the Hebrews for carrying on the services in their temple.
Ezra 7:16
Now, we see that even the Hebrews, who remained in Babylon, would give silver and gold to be carried back into the homeland for use in the services in the temple. Ezra would be the guardian of that, as well.
Ezra 7:17
The money was to be used to purchase the animals for sacrifice. These were to be sacrificed immediately. This would maintain the daily sacrifices, and the sacrifices for the various feasts, and new moon celebrations.
Ezra 7:18
The king completely trusted Ezra. He knew that Ezra would do exactly what the LORD wanted him to do. The extra silver and gold could be used to beautify the temple, or to employ people to do repairs, or whatever the LORD led Ezra to do with it.
Ezra 7:19
It appears, they were still finding vessels that belonged in the temple in Jerusalem. They were not to be used for anything else. They were to be carried directly to the temple.
Ezra 7:20
This is speaking of the local treasure house. This was funds that had been gathered in Judah. Ezra was such an honorable man, the king knew he would not use more of the treasury than was necessary. He certainly would not use from the treasure for anything but for the temple. The wide authority given Ezra was, because the king trusted him. Ezra 7:21
We see from these two verses, that those in charge of the treasuries were not to argue with Ezra about this. They were to do exactly as Ezra requested them to do. There was a limitation, however to the top amount he could receive. Anything up to that amount they were to do quickly.
Ezra 7:23
The king knew that Ezra spoke as an oracle of God. The requests he made would be made by God, Himself, through Ezra. It appears, this particular king of Persia wanted to stay in the good graces of God. There had been some threat of war, and they wanted the LORD on their side. The historians say that this king had eighteen sons.
Ezra 7:24
All who are in the service of the LORD, live of the offerings of the altar. They do not have private incomes, and should not be compelled to pay taxes. This is still true today. Many do pay taxes, but the pastors of churches are not required to pay taxes on the money they receive from the church.
Ezra 7:25
Ezra is not just priest and scribe, here. The king wanted him to appoint Godly men to run the government, as well. It is interesting to me, to note that those who were familiar with the law of God and keep it were to be the rulers in civil affairs. Ezra was even instructed to teach the ways of the LORD to those who did not know it.
Ezra 7:26
It appears, that the punishment that was inflicted on those who did not conform to the decree the king had sent, would be decided by Ezra. He would be the last word on about everything. It would be up to him to decide whether they deserved to die for their sin, or whether there would be a lesser punishment. I am sure the king feels that Ezra would be guided by the LORD in even these decisions. This was the end of the decree.
Ezra 7:27 This had jumped back to the words of Ezra. He was totally aware that it was God that placed these things in the heart of the Persian king. We see, from this, that Ezra would use the gold and silver that was extra over the purchase of the sacrificial animals, to beautify the temple.
Ezra 7:28
Ezra thanked God for making the heart of the king of Persia tender toward him. Ezra was very well aware that his strength and his ability was a gift from God to him. It was a miracle that the king would allow him to go to Jerusalem. It was an even greater miracle, that he would allow more of the captive Hebrews to go with him. The greatest miracle in this is the fact that the king trusted Ezra with his money. I believe this Persian king believed in God.
Additional Resources for Chapter 7
Commentarieshttps://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-7-life-god-blesses-ezra-71-28
https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Ezr/Ezr-7.cfm
https://www.versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/ezra
https://www.wednesdayintheword.com/ezra-resources/