Or, The Secretary’s Delegated Powers for Whatever
Scripture: Ezra 7:11-28
Date: November 24, 2024
Speaker: Sean Higgins
The hand of God was on Ezra, and he knew it: “the hand of the LORD my God was on me,” and so he “took courage” (Ezra 7:28). In Ezra’s hands was a copy of “the Law of your God” (7:14), and it seems that Artexerxes references that same Book in 7:25, “according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand.” Ezra carried a mandate from the Lord.
Ezra also carried a mandate from the king of Persia. Most of chapter 7 is a copy of the letter that Artexerxes put in Ezra’s hands, with delegated powers to do whatever. Maybe that’s not excellent grammar. But reading through the king’s letter it’s hard to miss the fourfold “whatever”:
Artexerxes gave authority to Ezra as the Secretary of Cultural Reformation, or the “Secretary of State for Jewish Affairs” (Williamson) in the Region Beyond the River. It was in Ezra’s hands to do whatever needed to be done.
That’s surprising, isn’t it? That the monarch of the world’s superpower would delegate so much power to a foreign paper pusher? We might not believe it if we hadn’t read the documentation that showed the high level of empowerment. Ezra knew it was the LORD, the God of his fathers, that moved the heart of the king.
The elements included in this royal communication are typical, though the content—the commission itself—is quite an unexpected blessing.
Here’s what we’ve got in front of us: a letter given from Artexerxes to Ezra. Ezra 7 opened with some background on this Ezra. He descended from Aaron and so he was a member of the priest class. He was also a scribe, or perhaps better understood as an appointed “secretary.” His skill and his commitment to the law stands out in verse 6 and 10, and here is another stand out description: a man learned in matters of the commandments of the LORD and his statues for Israel.
This message comes from the desk of Artaxerxes, king of kings. We’re in a position to say, “Wait, that’s not right to call him the ‘king of kings.‘” We’ve got good reason to bristle at some mere man taking the title. But apparently it wasn’t irregular for men to give themselves such grand titles, even if was swollen-headed.
Ezra is yet again recognized in double-duty as priest and scribe, the law of the God of heaven was the Book.
And the opening itself: Peace or “Greetings” (NIV).
There are five things Artexeres commissions Ezra to do.
First, go up to Jerusalem, take whoever wants to go, especially the worship team. Three groups are distinguished: anyone of the people of Israel or their priests or Levites. Worship has always been the central part for Persian plans to repatriate, from Cyrus to Darius to Artexerxes. Their interest was in the restoration of “the house of God” (see 7:20 and 7:27). That’s why priests and Levites keep getting special mention.
Second, investigate how those in Jerusalem are following the law. This is quite the delegated powers:
For you are sent by the king and his seven counselors to make inquiries about Judah and Jerusalem according to the Law of your God, which is in your hand. (verse 14)
The throne and seven court seats (see also Esther 1:14, also Persian “royal judges” referenced in Herodotus a few times in Book 3).
Make inquiries. In other words, are the people living by the Book?
Third, take money. This was a fresh round of gifts, freely offered by the king and the counsellors. They didn’t just delegate, they funded the office of the secretary. Ezra was also to get more money from any of those (Jews) in Babylonia who were so moved to give. When we read about the trip itself in chapter 8 we can appreciate why Ezra was nervous about a 900 mile journey with so much cash.
Fourth, buy all that’s necessary for sacrifices and service. With all diligence by whatever was necessary and offer them on the altar of the house of your God (verse 17). It seems that Artexerxes has in mind one big celebration, because he envisions left-overs. Verse 18 tells Ezra that he needs to turn in no receipts; the rest of the silver and gold was in Ezra’s hands to do whatever he wanted.
Fifth, secure whatever else is necessary for the house of God. These vessels are new ones (since under Cyrus the vessels taken were sent back, see Ezra 1:7). Whatever else is required should come out of government accounts.
This section might have been its own statement, but it also fits here. This is like a combo work order/purchase order/permission slip.
The quantities listed in verse 22 are difficult to put in modern measurements. It had limits, but it’s a lot. 100 cors of wheat was probably around 650 bushels (for grain offerings), 100 baths of wine (for drink offerings) and oil are likely over 600 gallons each.
The annual take in terms of talents of silver in the province Beyond the River was 350 according to Herodotus, so 100 silver talents made a high percentage, and would have weighed approximately 3 and 3/4 tons (Fensham).
We’ve seen the motivation of principled pluralism before. Verse 23 seeks to avoid the wrath of the God of heaven against the realm of the king and his sons.
A tale almost as old as time: religious exemptions from taxes on clergy is clear from verse 24.
Artexerxes addresses Ezra directly again, and adds jurisdiction with the delegated power of the state behind it.
The wisdom of God that is in your hand does seem to be another title for the Book. It could be that Artexerxes recognized Ezra’s wisdom, his understanding and ability to apply with skill all he knew, hence wisdom in the hand not just head. But in verse 14 it was “the Law of your God, which is in your hand,” and laws of your God both at the end of verse 24 and again in verse 25 suggest Wisdom as a description of the Book. The Book revealed instructions and insights.
Ezra had mandate to appoint magistrates and judges. The difference may be religious and civil courts; see verse 28 reference the law of your god and the law of the king. It’s a lot of power. And it applied throughout the whole province.
Those who would not obey the demands of the law and the decisions of the judges would find themselves at the business end of the executive’s sword, and a full arsenal of consequences was at Ezra’s disposal: death, banishment, confiscation of goods, imprisonment.
The first person singular (“I”) hits for the first time in the book of Ezra. While I think that Ezra is the one who put Ezra/Nehemiah together from various documents, this (and other sections to come) appear to be his own personal notes/journal.
Praise God for delegating powers that delegate powers. Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king. The Lord stirred up, the Lord influenced, the Lord willed and worked in the king’s thoughts. For sure Ezra honored Artaxerxes, but Ezra had a theological interpretation of Artaxerxes motivations. The Lord extended to me his steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty officers.
All this effort was summarized with the aim to beautify or to adorn the house of the LORD.
Chapter 8 provides an account of the trip with the top men that traveled with Ezra. Ezra saw that God was moving, and so he took courage, he “was strengthened/gained strength” (NASB/NET).
Lord, we’ve seen what You did for Ezra, and we ask You to put even better things into the hearts of our political authorities.
We know there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ, who gave Himself as a ransom for all. We pray for kings and all who are in high positions to acknowledge Jesus Christ as King of kings, and even if they won’t, that through their delegated powers we could proclaim the testimony in faith and truth (see 1 Timothy 2:1-7).
We also desire young men who know the Book, who trust God to move, and who take courage for their work. Perhaps the Lord will put them in positions with delegated powers, and may they be ready for whatever comes into their hands.
Give thanks to the LORD, give thanks to the God of gods, give thanks to the Lord of lords, for He is good and His steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks for His many blessings, people and pie, grace and gravy, Scripture and songs. Don’t let the sun go down on your unspoken thanks.
(See also Psalm 136:1–3)
The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face to shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you
and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24–26 ESV)