Graham continued his Ezra series this morning.
Woops! The notes were not added. Sorry for the oversight. Here they are now. G
Ezra 4:1-5:5
Intro
Sections in Hebrew and Aramaic 4:8-6:18
1) When the enemies heard
…4:6 Who are Xerxes and Artaxerses is verses 6,7?
“in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they . . . an accusation” - Ahasuerus was a regal title, and the king referred to was successor of Darius, the famous Xerxes (the Cambyses of secular history).
The adversaries were the Samaritans, who had been planted in the land of Israel, 2 Kings 17
Opposition lasted through many reigns, “all the days of Cyrus” including Darius, reign of Ahasuerus, in reign of Artaxerxes (see 4:24)
Opposition lasted through many reigns and “all the days of Cyrus”. We never know when the accuser will strike or how long opposition may last. Some have spent (given) their whole lives for the cause of God (rudderless coracles setting out from Isle of Man)
4:1 “When the adversaries…” The reply of v3 was not ungracious, it was brave. There are times to defy instincts of softness and stay firm in our resolve and obedience. They were being obedient to the decree of Cyrus. We never know when the accuser will strike.
See:
2 Timothy 1:9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life- not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time
Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
2) When the enemies wrote
Discouragement works! Though not successful in this case, it often has its affect.
THE SOUL - WHERE OUR BATTLES ARE
v15 Search for a record - of what? Guilt, failure, sin. They did not ask for a search of ‘permission to build’, or the declaration of restoration.
Search the record of your memory and look for better things than your past wrongs and failures.
See:
Psalm 103:11-13 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 2:1-3 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defence- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning [propitiation] sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.
See the accusation about building the city (4:21). However this is the record of building the temple, not building the city.
Chap 5 Letter to Darius. They had already lost but did not know it (our enemies have already lost). Did they think the Jews had lied in their claim or was this their last desperate attempt to oppose? They ended up being ordered to help. As they wrote, Daniel had gone before them and prayed (see Dan 9).
3) When the Jews trusted in God
5:1-5
‘prophets of God’
‘eye of their God was watching’
