What does Ezra 7:20 mean?
"And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house." - Ezra 7:20
Ezra 7:20 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: "And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house."
This verse is part of a passage where King Artaxerxes decrees that the people of Israel, led by Ezra the scribe, are to be granted provision to go to Jerusalem and rebuild the house of God. The King has given permission to Ezra and the priests to use the treasures of the king to purchase whatever is needed for the temple, including animals, grain, wine, and oil, to be offered to God in worship.
The context of this verse is set against the backdrop of the Israelites' return from exile in Babylon. The temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed, and Ezra is charged with the task of leading the people in the reconstruction of not only the physical temple but also the spiritual and moral renewal of the community. The King's decree is a significant turning point for the Israelites as it signifies the restoration of their identity and worship practices.
One of the key themes in this verse is the provision of God for His people. The fact that King Artaxerxes allows the use of the wealth of the empire for the restoration of the temple shows God's sovereign hand at work in the affairs of His people. The verse demonstrates the fulfillment of God's promise to provide for His people and brings to mind passages such as Psalm 23:1, which says, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."
The act of using the king's treasure house for the temple's restoration also symbolizes the divine authority and legitimacy of the project. By obtaining resources from the highest authority in the land, it emphasizes the divine sanction for the rebuilding efforts. This teaches an important lesson about the importance of seeking God's blessing and provision in our endeavors, as well as acknowledging His sovereignty over all resources.
Another theme present in this verse is the idea of stewardship. The Israelites are not only given access to the king's treasures for their own benefit but specifically for the purpose of the house of God. This emphasizes the responsibility of the priests and leaders to use these resources wisely and for the glory of God. It serves as a reminder to us today that all resources ultimately belong to God and should be utilized according to His will.
The passage also speaks to the importance of worship and the temple in the life of the people of God. The rebuilding of the temple was not just a physical construction project but a spiritual renewal for the people. The provision of the king's treasures for the temple's needs demonstrates the value and centrality of worship in the life of the Israelites. It highlights the priority of honoring and glorifying God in their midst and the importance of maintaining a place of encounter with the divine.
In conclusion, Ezra 7:20 from the King James Version of the Bible carries profound significance in its portrayal of God's provision, divine authority, stewardship, and the importance of worship. It serves as a powerful reminder to seek God's provision in all our endeavors, to recognize His sovereignty over all resources, and to prioritize worship and the spiritual well-being of the community. This verse continues to inspire believers to seek God's provision and guidance in their lives and ministries.
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Ezra 7:20 - "And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house."
"And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house." - Ezra 7:20
Ezra 2:20 - "The children of Gibbar, ninety and five."
Ezra 10:20 - "And of the sons of Immer; Hanani, and Zebadiah."
Ezra 7:12 - "Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time."
Ezra 7:10 - "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments."
Ezra 7:1 - "Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,"
"The children of Gibbar, ninety and five." - Ezra 2:20
Ezra 7:11 - "¶ Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel."
"And of the sons of Immer; Hanani, and Zebadiah." - Ezra 10:20
Ezra 7:2 - "The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,"
Ezra 7:4 - "The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,"
Ezra 7:3 - "The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,"
Ezra 2:7 - "The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four."
Ezra 8:7 - "And of the sons of Elam; Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males."
Ezra 7:8 - "And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king."
Ezra 7:21 - "And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,"
Ezra 7:7 - "And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king."
Ezra 7:5 - "The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:"
Ezra 7:6 - "This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him."
Ezra 7:25 - "And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not."
Ezra 6:20 - "For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves."
"Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time." - Ezra 7:12
"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments." - Ezra 7:10
Ezra 5:7 - "They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace."
"Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah," - Ezra 7:1
Ezra 8:20 - "Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name."
"The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki," - Ezra 7:4
Ezra 7:19 - "The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem."
"The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth," - Ezra 7:3