Esdras - Caput 7

Esdras 7.1 post haec autem verba in regno Artarxersis regis Persarum Ezras filius Saraiae filii Azariae filii Helciae Esdras 7.2 filii Sellum filii Sadoc filii Achitob Esdras 7.3 filii Amariae filii Azariae filii Maraioth Esdras 7.4 filii Zaraiae filii Ozi filii Bocci Esdras 7.5 filii Abisue filii Finees filii Eleazar filii Aaron sacerdotis ab initio Esdras 7.6 ipse Ezras ascendit de Babylone et ipse scriba velox in lege Mosi quam dedit Dominus Deus Israhel et dedit ei rex secundum manum Domini Dei eius super eum omnem petitionem eius Esdras 7.7 et ascenderunt de filiis Israhel et de filiis sacerdotum et de filiis Levitarum et de cantoribus et de ianitoribus et de Nathinneis in Hierusalem anno septimo Artarxersis regis Esdras 7.8 et venerunt in Hierusalem mense quinto ipse est annus septimus regis Esdras 7.9 quia in primo die mensis primi coepit ascendere de Babylone et in primo mensis quinti venit in Hierusalem iuxta manum Dei sui bonam super se Esdras 7.10 Ezras enim paravit cor suum ut investigaret legem Domini et faceret et doceret in Israhel praeceptum et iudicium Esdras 7.11 hoc est autem exemplar epistulae edicti quod dedit rex Artarxersis Ezrae sacerdoti scribae erudito in sermonibus et praeceptis Domini et caerimoniis eius in Israhel Esdras 7.12 Artarxersis rex regum Ezrae sacerdoti scribae legis Dei caeli doctissimo salutem Esdras 7.13 a me decretum est ut cuicumque placuerit in regno meo de populo Israhel et de sacerdotibus eius et de Levitis ire in Hierusalem tecum vadat Esdras 7.14 a facie enim regis et septem consiliatorum eius missus es ut visites Iudaeam et Hierusalem in lege Dei tui quae est in manu tua Esdras 7.15 et ut feras argentum et aurum quod rex et consiliatores eius sponte obtulerunt Deo Israhel cuius in Hierusalem tabernaculum est Esdras 7.16 et omne argentum et aurum quodcumque inveneris in universa provincia Babylonis et populus offerre voluerit et de sacerdotibus qui sponte obtulerint domui Dei sui quae est in Hierusalem Esdras 7.17 libere accipe et studiose eme de hac pecunia vitulos arietes agnos et sacrificia et libamina eorum et offer ea super altare templi Dei vestri quod est in Hierusalem Esdras 7.18 sed et si quid tibi et fratribus tuis placuerit de reliquo argento et auro ut faciatis iuxta voluntatem Dei vestri facite Esdras 7.19 vasa quoque quae dantur tibi in ministerium domus Dei tui trade in conspectu Dei Hierusalem Esdras 7.20 sed et cetera quibus opus fuerit in domo Dei tui quantumcumque necesse est ut expendas dabis de thesauro et de fisco regis Esdras 7.21 et a me ego Artarxersis rex statui atque decrevi omnibus custodibus arcae publicae qui sunt trans Flumen ut quodcumque petierit a vobis Ezras sacerdos scriba legis Dei caeli absque mora detis Esdras 7.22 usque ad argenti talenta centum et usque ad frumenti choros centum et usque ad vini batos centum et usque ad batos olei centum sal vero absque mensura Esdras 7.23 omne quod ad ritum Dei caeli pertinet tribuatur diligenter in domo Dei caeli ne forte irascatur contra regnum regis et filiorum eius Esdras 7.24 vobisque notum facimus de universis sacerdotibus et Levitis cantoribus ianitoribus Nathinneis et ministris domus Dei huius ut vectigal et tributum et annonas non habeatis potestatem inponendi super eos Esdras 7.25 tu autem Ezras secundum sapientiam Dei tui quae est in manu tua constitue iudices et praesides ut iudicent omni populo qui est trans Flumen his videlicet qui noverunt legem Dei tui sed et inperitos docete libere Esdras 7.26 et omnis qui non fecerit legem Dei tui et legem regis diligenter iudicium erit de eo sive in mortem sive in exilium sive in condemnationem substantiae eius vel certe in carcerem Esdras 7.27 benedictus Dominus Deus patrum nostrorum qui dedit hoc in corde regis ut glorificaret domum Domini quae est in Hierusalem Esdras 7.28 et in me inclinavit misericordiam coram rege et consiliatoribus eius et universis principibus regis potentibus et ego confortatus manu Domini Dei mei quae erat in me congregavi de Israhel principes qui ascenderent mecum

Esdras : Caput 7

The Mission of Ezra: A Scribe in God's Service

Chapter 7 of the Book of Ezra introduces us to a central figure in the spiritual restoration of the people of Israel: Ezra, the scribe. This chapter highlights Ezra's crucial role, his priestly lineage, and his mission to teach the Law in Jerusalem. Knowledge of and obedience to God's Word, emphasized in this text, are essential for the spiritual renewal of the community.

Divine Favor and Spiritual Reform

Ezra 7 also highlights divine favor manifested through Artaxerxes' decree, which allows Ezra to return to Jerusalem to fulfill his mission. This chapter thus lays the foundation for the spiritual reform that the scribe will undertake, guiding the people toward a greater knowledge of God and a faithful practice of His Law.

Meditate on Enlightening Bible Passages

To better understand the themes of spiritual leadership and divine knowledge present in this chapter, let's meditate on five significant biblical passages:

Psalm 119:97

"How I love your law! In it I meditate all day long." This verse reflects Ezra's devotion to God's law, as highlighted in Ezra 7:10.

Nehemiah 8:1-3

"Then all the people gathered together as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel." This passage illustrates Ezra in his role as teacher, as described in Ezra 7.

Proverbs 21:1

"The king's heart is like a river controlled by the Lord; he directs it where he wishes." This This proverb highlights the divine influence on King Artaxerxes, who favored Ezra in his mission.

Jeremiah 31:33

"This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts." This verse testifies to Ezra's goal of teaching God's law to the people, as mentioned in Ezra 7:10.

Malachi 2:7

"The lips of the priest should keep knowledge, and the people should seek instruction from his mouth." This verse describes the role of the priest as a teacher of the law, reflecting Ezra's mission in Ezra 7.

Conclusion

Through Ezra's example, we are called to seek divine knowledge and obey God's Word. May our commitment to meditating on and living according to the teachings of the Law guide us on the path of faith and spiritual restoration.