Ezra 7:11-20
A King Opens His Treasury
Read the passage
11This is the text of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest and scribe, an expert in the commandments and statutes of the LORD to Israel:
12Artaxerxes, king of kings. To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven: Greetings.
13I hereby decree that any volunteers among the Israelites in my kingdom, including the priests and Levites, may go up with you to Jerusalem.
14You are sent by the king and his seven counselors to evaluate Judah and Jerusalem according to the Law of your God, which is in your hand.
15Moreover, you are to take with you the silver and gold that the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem,
16together with all the silver and gold you may find in all the province of Babylon, as well as the freewill offerings of the people and priests to the house of their God in Jerusalem.
17With this money, therefore, you are to buy as many bulls, rams, and lambs as needed, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and offer them on the altar at the house of your God in Jerusalem.
18You and your brothers may do whatever seems best with the rest of the silver and gold, according to the will of your God.
19You must deliver to the God of Jerusalem all the articles given to you for the service of the house of your God.
20And if anything else is needed for the house of your God that you may have occasion to supply, you may pay for it from the royal treasury.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Artaxerxes gives Ezra a letter allowing Israelite volunteers, including priests and Levites, to travel with him to Jerusalem. The king and his seven counselors send Ezra to evaluate Judah and Jerusalem according to the Law of God in his hand.
Ezra is to carry the silver and gold freely offered by the king and counselors, together with offerings gathered in Babylon. With this money, he must buy the animals, grain offerings, and drink offerings needed for worship at God's house. He must also deliver the sacred articles entrusted to him.
The king leaves some decisions to Ezra and his fellow Israelites. They may use the remaining silver and gold as seems best according to God's will. If further supplies are needed for God's house, the royal treasury will pay for them.
Ezra receives both a clear purpose and room to exercise judgment. Permission to decide how to use the remaining money does not make it his private possession. The whole provision is directed toward the house of God and the life of His people.
Questions
1 Who was allowed to go with Ezra?
AnswerVolunteers among the Israelites, including priests and Levites, were allowed to go with Ezra. The journey included people who freely joined the work rather than a population moved only by command.
2 What was Ezra sent to evaluate?
AnswerEzra was sent to evaluate Judah and Jerusalem according to the Law of his God. His assignment involved examining the community's life against God's instruction.
3 What kinds of gifts were provided?
AnswerSilver and gold were offered by the king, his counselors, and people in Babylon. Ezra was to buy the needed sacrifices and deliver the sacred articles for God's house.
4 What responsibility came with the resources?
AnswerEzra and his brothers were to use the resources according to God's will and deliver the sacred articles for service in the house. Responsibility continued after the gifts were received.
What This Means for Us
Ezra is trusted to make decisions about gifts that belong to God's work. Some uses are specified, and others require judgment according to God's will.
If you are holding money for a shared purpose, keep that purpose clear. Ask before using it for something else, and explain how it was spent. Trust from generous people deserves careful handling even when no one is checking every decision.
Prayer
Father, make us trustworthy with every resource you place in our hands. Give us wisdom to use it for the good of others and the honor of your name. Amen.