The Taboo Two

Taught by Annie H. 11/2
Notes by Linda G.

Today Annie taught a thought provoking message based on Ezra, chapter 7. As chapter 7 opens, Artaxerxes is now king of Persia. This is about a 57 year period from the end of chapter 6 where the temple had been completed to the beginning of chapter 7. Ezra 7:1–6 details the genealogy of Ezra. Annie taught us that this was very important because it established Ezra as having spiritual authority through the direct family line of Aaron. We have learned in the course of this study how important this was to the Israelites. We see that Ezra ‘was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses (see Ezra 7:6)’. The Hebrew word for teacher in this passage is ‘sōper’. It can be translated as a scribe or teacher. As a scribe, Ezra would be extremely knowledgeable about the Torah.

Sōper can also refer to a political or administrative designation, similar to ‘secretary of state’. “The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him” (Ezra 7:6b). Ezra had been established as having political authority as well as religious authority.

“For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel (Ezra 7:10)”. Annie showed us that literally, ‘devoted’ is translated as Ezra had ‘set his heart on’ these things. Ezra didn’t just do these ‘religious’ disciplines…they were his life. She broke this verse down to its three components: 1) study, 2) observance, and 3) teaching.

As we have learned in previous studies and devotionals, an effective way of learning is by asking questions. The question Annie asked is ‘what does it mean to study God’s word?’. In Hebrew ‘daras’ (study) means a ‘careful search’. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15 KJV)”. In the NIV, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth”. Annie taught that we don’t want to study God’s word out of obligation. We want to please God. In order to be a witness to others, by word or deed, we need to know what God is saying. We learn that as we study his word. She pointed out that study is not a passive pursuit..it leads us to active obedience through observance.

The second thing we see about Ezra was that he had his heart set on observing the ‘laws and decrees’ of Israel. We don’t want to just look at the law, we want to live out the law. As Annie said, “our lives should have the Word written all over them”. The law she spoke of was love. “He (Jesus) answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind"; and, "Love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27)”. We obey the 10 commandments, not just in word, but in spirit.

The third aspect of Ezra’s devotion that Annie touched on was teaching of the ‘laws and decrees’ of Israel. She explained that this is not just a formal education secession. This also means sharing your testimony with others – what the Lord has done in your life. It means answering questions of those who are seeking. It means truly living your life by example. It is not just words, you don’t know whose lives you will touch by simply living out your faith in the world.

The next portion of Ezra, verses 11 through 26, is a letter King Artaxerxes had written to Ezra. (Something to ponder: this is what God’s word says about Ezra “the priest and teacher, a man learned in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the Lord for Israel (Ezra 7:11)”. Wouldn’t we want God to say the same about us? That we are women ‘learned in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the Lord for Israel’. I want the Lord to say that about me!)

In this letter we see the political authority that the king had granted to Ezra. Ezra given access to silver and gold and supplies of all manner, not just for the physical upkeep of Jerusalem, but what was needed to maintain the Temple and to worship the Lord. Ezra was also given the power to impose taxes and execute justice. The hand of the Lord truly was on this situation!!

Annie asked the question, “why would the King allow the Israelites such freedom, especially that they could practice their own religion and not the religion of Persia?”. She explained that this was good for the morale of the conquered peoples. Persia did not just do this for the conquered Israelites, but for other conquered nations as well. She explained that if they had been forced to follow foreign gods there could have been revolt. Annie made a very important point, when religion is forced upon people it does not bring true belief. God wants us to have a personal relationship with him. A true relationship with God is not borne out of fear (but out of love).

The relationship between religion and politics was then explored in a discussion in the class. The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." This means that our government does not force us to practice a specific religion, similar to what King Artaxerxes had decreed. Very often the phrase ‘separation of church and state’ is attributed to the U.S. Constitution. This is incorrect. This phrase was actually used in a letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists Association in 1802. The original text reads: "...I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. The meaning of this was to protect religious freedom, not prevent it.

Annie had asked what we, as Christians, should do today. We see evidence of our religious freedom being threatened. She noted that we do not want a theocracy (a political unit governed by a deity). We should want to keep our Jesus and our government separate. As was already noted, faith in God does not come through legislation but through relationship. It was noted that we do have an enemy and that attacks WILL come. We need to pray. We want a government that respects and protects our rights. Annie asked “Can’t we do better than King Artaxerxes did?”.

Chapter 7 ends with the following: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of our fathers, who has put it into the king's heart to bring honor to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem in this way 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 leading men from Israel to go up with me (Ezra 7:27-28). Ezra gives praise to the Lord for working through the secular government. We want to do the same – praise the Lord for the way in which He works. “The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases (Proverbs 21:1)”.