So sometime around 456-444 BC the book of Ezra
was written about the Jews returning to Israel…after the period of Babylonian
captivity. Ezra was a scribe skilled in
the law of Moses, which Yahweh, the God of Israel, had given. The king had
granted him everything he requested because the hand of Yahweh his God was on
him. Some of the Israelites, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple
servants accompanied him to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King
Artaxerxes. Ezra 7:6-7 HCSB. The hand
of Yahweh—Holy Spirit—guided Ezra to write about God commandments and about
taxes. Taxes weren’t a new thing—and laws governing taxes had been around even
in other cultures for hundreds of years…if not longer. Here Ezra is given very
specific instruction by King Artaxerxes that taxes were not to be imposed on
the priests and other temple authorities.
It appears that Ezra is a man after God’s
own heart. Now Ezra had determined in his
heart to study the law of the LORD, obey it, and teach its statutes and
ordinances in Israel. Ezra 7:10 HCSB.
What could be more pleasing to God than a person who studies, obeys and teaches
His commandments? Where do you stand in regards to God’s word? Taxes today are
imposed on pastors…but there are stipulations on them governed by complicated
laws. No matter what your occupation, have you paid your taxes? Deadline day is
upon us.
Prayer
~ Lord God, fill me anew today with Your Holy Spirit that as I study Your Word I
would obey it and do whatever You need me to do for You today.
© 2015 by Mickey
M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise
noted.
No comments:
Post a Comment