DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Religious Convictions
HTML https://religiousconvictions.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Clark's Reflections
*****************************************************
#Post#: 3056--------------------------------------------------
Ezra 4:11-16
DIR By: clark thompson
Date: September 7, 2015, 10:32 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Ezra 4:11-16 King James Version (KJV)
11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even
unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the
river, and at such a time.
12 Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from
thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and
the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the
foundations.
13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded,
and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll,
tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of
the kings.
14 Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and
it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, therefore
have we sent and certified the king;
15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy
fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know
that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and
provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of
old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.
16 We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and
the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no
portion on this side the river.
Ezra 4:11-16 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
11 This letter said:
Your Majesty King Artaxerxes, we are your servants from
everywhere in Western Province, and we send you our greetings.
12 You should know that the Jews who left your country have
moved back to Jerusalem and are now rebuilding that terrible
city. In fact, they have almost finished rebuilding the walls
and repairing the foundations. 13 You should also know that if
the walls are completed and the city is rebuilt, the Jews won’t
pay any kind of taxes, and there will be less money in your
treasury.
14 We are telling you this, because you have done so much for
us, and we want everyone to respect you. 15 If you look up the
official records of your ancestors, you will find that Jerusalem
has constantly rebelled and has led others to rebel against
kings and provinces. That’s why the city was destroyed in the
first place. 16 If Jerusalem is rebuilt and its walls
completed, you will no longer have control over Western
Province.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society
These are my thoughts, please share yours.
11 These men who wrote this letter to the king were people
trying to stop God’s people from doing what the Lord wanted them
to do, they were trouble makers looking to there highest
authority when the Israelites highest authority was God.
12 This city was being rebuilt to bring glory back to the Lord,
this was not evil but the people change their words to get aid
from the king, people may lie about us to prevent us from doing
the Lord’s will.
13 Taxes were important, this could have been a possibility but
it would have broken the peace with that kingdom and cause more
trouble.
14 An oath to the king while as Christians we are to follow the
law of the land and the rulers of it, we are not to do this when
it goes against the Lord, Israel had a respect for the king but
God was first in their eyes as He should be with us as well.
15 The true reason why the city was destroyed was because of
them no longer following after God and Him allowing judgment to
come their way. People of the world are going to have their own
view on things that takes the power and influence of the Lord
out of it, we as Christians are to stay on the truth regardless
of how the world sees things.
16 The only area that might be taken would be Israel and not the
entire west of the Euphrates.
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 1