prophets and kings-第107章
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commanded by the God of heaven； let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven： for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons？〃 Verses 14； 23。
In giving permission to the Israelites to return； Artaxerxes arranged for the restoration of the members of the priesthood to their ancient rites and privileges。 〃We certify you；〃 he declared； 〃that touching any of the priests and Levites； singers； porters； Nethinims； or ministers of this house of God； it shall not be lawful to impose toll； tribute； or custom； upon them。〃 He also arranged for the appointment of civil officers to govern the people justly in accordance with the Jewish code of laws。 〃Thou； Ezra； after the wisdom of thy God； that is in thine hand；〃 he directed； 〃set magistrates and judges； which may judge all the people that are beyond the river； all such as know the laws of thy God； and teach ye them that know them not。 And whosoever will not do the law of thy God； and the law of the king； let judgment be executed speedily upon him； whether it be unto death； or to banishment； or to confiscation of goods； or to imprisonment。〃 Verses 24…26。
Thus； 〃according to the good hand of his God upon him；〃 Ezra had persuaded the king to make abundant provision for the return of all the people of Israel and of the priests and Levites in the Medo…Persian realm； who were minded 〃of their own free will to go up to Jerusalem。〃 Verses 9； 13。 Thus again the children of the dispersion were given opportunity to return to the land with the possession of which were linked the promises to the house of Israel。
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This decree brought great rejoicing to those who had been uniting with Ezra in a study of God's purposes concerning His people。 〃Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers；〃 Ezra exclaimed； 〃which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart； to beautify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem： and hath extended mercy unto me before the king； and his counselors； and before all the king's mighty princes。〃 Verses 27； 28。
In the issuing of this decree by Artaxerxes； God's providence was manifest。 Some discerned this and gladly took advantage of the privilege of returning under circumstances so favorable。 A general place of meeting was named； and at the appointed time those who were desirous of going to Jerusalem assembled for the long journey。 〃I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava；〃 Ezra says； 〃and there abode we in tents three days。〃 Ezra 8：15。
Ezra had expected that a large number would return to Jerusalem； but the number who responded to the call was disappointingly small。 Many who had acquired houses and lands had no desire to sacrifice these possessions。 They loved ease and comfort and were well satisfied to remain。 Their example proved a hindrance to others who otherwise might have chosen to cast in their lot with those who were advancing by faith。
As Ezra looked over the company assembled； he was surprised to find none of the sons of Levi。 Where were the members of the tribe that had been set apart for the sacred service of the temple？ To the call； Who is on the Lord's side？ the Levites should have been the first to respond。
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During the captivity； and afterward； they had been granted many privileges。 They had enjoyed the fullest liberty to minister to the spiritual needs of their brethren in exile。 Synagogues had been built； in which the priests conducted the worship of God and instructed the people。 The observance of the Sabbath； and the performance of the sacred rites peculiar to the Jewish faith； had been freely allowed。
But with the passing of the years after the close of the captivity； conditions changed； and many new responsibilities
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rested upon the leaders in Israel。 The temple at Jerusalem had been rebuilt and dedicated； and more priests were needed to carry on its services。 There was pressing need of men of God to act as teachers of the people。 And besides； the Jews remaining in Babylon were in danger of having their religious liberty restricted。 Through the prophet Zechariah； as well as by their recent experience during the troublous times of Esther and Mordecai； the Jews in Medo…Persia had been plainly warned to return to their own land。 The time had come when it was perilous for them to dwell longer in the midst of heathen influences。 In view of these changed conditions； the priests in Babylon should have been quick to discern in the issuance of the decree a special call to them to return to Jerusalem。
The king and his princes had done more than their part in opening the way for the return。 They had provided abundant means； but where were the men？ The sons of Levi failed at a time when the influence of a decision to accompany their brethren would have led others to follow their example。 Their strange indifference is a sad revelation of the attitude of the Israelites in Babylon toward God's purpose for His people。
Once more Ezra appealed to the Levites； sending them an urgent invitation to unite with his company。 To emphasize the importance of quick action； he sent with his written plea several of his 〃chief men〃 and 〃men of understanding。〃 Ezra 7：28；8：16。
While the travelers tarried with Ezra； these trusted messengers hastened back with the plea； 〃Bring unto us ministers
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for the house of our God。〃 Ezra 8：17。 The appeal was heeded； some who had been halting； made final decision to return。 In all； about forty priests and two hundred and twenty Nethinimmen upon whom Ezra could rely as wise ministers and good teachers and helperswere brought to the camp。
All were now ready to set forth。 Before them was a journey that would occupy several months。 The men were taking with them their wives and children； and their substance； besides large treasure for the temple and its service。 Ezra was aware that enemies lay in wait by the way； ready to plunder and destroy him and his company； yet he had asked from the king no armed force for protection。 〃I was ashamed；〃 he has explained； 〃to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way： because we had spoken unto the king； saying； The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him； but His power and His wrath is against all them that forsake Him。〃 Verse 22。
In this matter； Ezra and his companions saw an opportunity to magnify the name of God before the heathen。 Faith in the power of the living God would be strengthened if the Israelites themselves should now reveal implicit faith in their divine Leader。 They therefore determined to put their trust wholly in Him。 They would ask for no guard of soldiers。 They would give the heathen no occasion to ascribe to the strength of man the glory that belongs to God alone。 They could not afford to arouse in the minds of their heathen friends one doubt as to the sincerity of their dependence on
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God as His people。 Strength would be gained； not through wealth； not through the power and influence of idolatrous men； but through the favor of God。 Only by keeping the law of the Lord before them； and striving to obey it； would they be protected。
This knowledge of the conditions under which they would continue to enjoy the prospering hand of God； lent more than ordinary solemnity to the consecration service that was held by Ezra and his company of faithful souls just before their departure。 〃I proclaimed a fast there； at the river of Ahava；〃 Ezra has declared of this experience； 〃that we might afflict ourselves before our God； to seek of Him a right way for us； and for our little ones； and for all our substance。〃 〃So we fasted and besought our God for this： and He was entreated of us。〃 Verses 21； 23。
The blessing of God； however； did not make unnecessary the exercise of prudence and forethought。 As a special precaution in safeguarding the treasure； Ezra 〃separated twelve of the chief of the priests〃men whose faithfulness and fidelity had been proved〃and weighed unto them the silver； and the gold； and th
