Ezra 7:11-26 – The Decree of Artaxerxes
Because of God’s grace and providential care of His people, Ezra finds favor in the sight of Artaxerxes king of Persia. The king and his seven counselors (men who held a hereditary position close to the king because they were of the families of the seven conspirators who overthrew the impostor, Smerdis, and placed Artaxerxes’ grandfather, Darius, on the throne) determined to support Ezra. According to this decree: 1)Ezra and any Israelite who wished to accompany him could move to Jerusalem, 2) the king and his counselors made donations to finance sacrifices on behalf of the king and his sons and to beautify the Temple, 2) Ezra could raise revenues from the taxes of Babylonia and from freewill offerings, 3) the officials of the Province Beyond the River (roughly the modern-day countries of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel) were to provide treasure and goods for the Temple, 4) the Temple and the priests. Levites, and others who labored in it were to be tax-exempt, and 5) Ezra had authority to appoint magistrates and judges throughout the province to govern the worshippers of the LORD.
We saw back in chapter four that opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem resulted in Artaxerxes’ command that construction on the walls cease. As the names of the adversaries in that passage are not the same as those who show up in Ezra’s and Nehemiah’s time, we must conclude that this occurred earlier in Artaxerxes’ reign. The people of Ezra’s day understood Artaxerxes’ words recorded in verse eighteen to be a reversal of his previous command. The Jews could now rebuild the walls of Jerusalem – a project that would be finished under Nehemiah’s leadership after further opposition. Thus, it is generally understood that this decree of Artaxerxes is the “word to restore and build Jerusalem” mentioned in Daniel 9:25. It was no coincidence, therefore, that so many Jews were looking for the coming of Messiah’s Kingdom in the days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, for this decree came in 458 or 457 B.C. As the LORD revealed to Daniel, 483 years later, the public ministry of Jesus Christ began. Three and a half years after that, He put an end to sacrifices by offering Himself up as the once-for-all sacrifice for the sins of His people. After another three and a half years, the Gospel went forth to the nations following the stoning of Stephen. The LORD is faithful to keep His promises.
Questions
- What five things are found in the king’s decree concerning Ezra and the Temple?
- Why is the timing of this decree important?
Prayer Points
- Pray for wisdom to understand the Scriptures correctly.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.