Judgment for the Disobedient

Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Ezra 7:21-28 NIV

21 Now I, King Artaxerxes, decree that all the treasurers of Trans-Euphrates are to provide with diligence whatever Ezra the priest, the teacher of the Law of the God of heaven, may ask of you-- 22 up to a hundred talents of silver, a hundred cors of wheat, a hundred baths of wine, a hundred baths of olive oil, and salt without limit. 23 Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the God of heaven. Why should his wrath fall on the realm of the king and of his sons? 24 You are also to know that you have no authority to impose taxes, tribute or duty on any of the priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, temple servants or other workers at this house of God. 25 And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God, which you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people of Trans-Euphrates--all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach any who do not know them. 26 Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king must surely be punished by death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment. 27 Praise be to the LORD, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king's heart to bring honor to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem in this way 28 and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king's powerful officials. Because the hand of the LORD my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) As the captivity for the people of God was ending, and after Ezra the scribe returned from Babylon to Jerusalem, what did King Artaxerxes include in his letter to the scribe concerning the building of the temple? Why?  (v.21-23)
2) What did the king write concerning Ezra's authority to impose taxes on the workers of the house of God? (v.24)
3) What did the king give Ezra authority to do, according to the wisdom of God? (v.25)
4) What would be the punishment for those who did not obey the law of the Lord and the king? (v.26)
5) What was Ezra's response after reading the king's letter to him? (v.27-28)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) Has the Lord ever been very gracious to you after you have sinned against Him and subsequently repented? If so, please describe one such instance and your response.
7) Have you ever refused to forsake your rebellion against the Lord? If so, what happened?

LIFE LESSONS
8) The Lord God is always willing to restore grace and favor to those who have strayed from the truth, but have returned to His commands and ways.
9) The Lord will judge those who refuse to relent and continue to rebel against Him.