Ezra 7:11-28 – Nothing can hinder us when we have God

In Ezra 7:21-24, Artaxerxes made available funds to Ezra. He gave order that whatever he might need his treasures in the region beyond the rivers were asked to comply. They were told to diligently follow the request of Ezra. Generously, the king allowed Ezra to draw from the treasury all that was needed for his mission. Artaxerxes did all this because he had a deep fear of God. He did not want to face the consequences of God’s wrath on his kingdom and his sons.  He also decreed that tax, tribute, or toll were to be imposed on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, Nethinim, or servants of this house of God. Who were the Nethinim? They were a group of people set apart to assist the Levites. In Ezra 8:20 was such a group.

In Ezra 7:25-26, Artaxerxes also granted Ezra the right to appoint judges to adjudicate and deal with the disputes of the people. He was also granted the right to teach and educate the people concerning the law of God. Judgment would be executed upon that person strictly if anyone would not observe the law of your God and the law of the king. He could even face the death sentence or be banished or have his property confiscated and imprisoned.

 

Ezra 7:27-28 records Ezra's thanksgiving to God. It was He who had worked in the hearts of the king and his counselors and granted him the concessions to establish the work in Jerusalem. Encouraged that God’s hand was upon him, Ezra gathered some leading men of Israel to go with him.

 

How God had worked in Ezra‘s circumstances tells us that when God chooses to work through us nothing can hinder us. When we are on God’s mission, He will make the provision. There will be no lack in His work. Psalm 127:1 assures us saying, “Unless the Lord builds the house,  they labor in  vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.” What we need to experience success in any work we sense God calls us to do, is to be assured that He will provide everything that we need to accomplish it. Nothing can hinder God’s work from progressing.