daily reading 17.4 (Ezra 4:11–16)

5-days-a-week through Daniel and other late OT books in 2023

Our opening prayer for this glorious Easter week is from the end of Psalm 118. The Messiah's words are in regular print, and his people's words are in bold print:

“Open the righteous gates That I may enter them.”
“This is the gateway of the LORD; The righteous may come in.”
“You answered me in need. My rescue? You alone!”
“The stone the builders cast aside Is now the cornerstone.

“This is the LORD’s own work And marvelous to see;
The LORD has acted on this day! We praise his victory.
All glory be to him! Hosanna! Send success!
How blessed is he who comes to us In God’s own name, all blessed.

“God is the LORD, and he Has shined on our dark ways;
Bring branches to the altar horns. Process with hymns of praise!”
“My God, I give you thanks. I will exalt your name!”
“O, thank the LORD, for he is good, His mercy e’er the same.”

Ezra 4:11–16

  • This is the text of the letter they sent to him: 
  • To King Artaxerxes from your servants, the men from the region west of the Euphrates River:
  • 12 Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you have returned to us at Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and evil city, finishing its walls, and repairing its foundations.
  • 13 Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, they will not pay tribute, duty, or land tax, and the royal revenue will suffer.
  • 14 Since we have taken an oath of loyalty to the king, and it is not right for us to witness his dishonor, we have sent to inform the king 15 that a search should be made in your fathers' record books. In these record books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces. There have been revolts in it since ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed.
  • 16 We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, you will not have any possession west of the Euphrates.
Helpful notes on Ezra 4:11–16


The letter went from Jerusalem to Susa


For yourself pray:

  • That God saves you from intrigue and rumors

For others pray:

  • That God leads well those who make tax law and collect taxes in your area and country

A psalm to listen to, as time allows:

 


  


 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

daily reading 52.2 (Nehemiah 13:15–22)

Image
5-days-a-week through Daniel and other late OT books in 2023 Our opening prayer for this week: Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let ev’ry heart prepare him room And heaven and nature sing. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ. While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy. No more let sins and sorrows grow Nor thorns infest the ground. He comes to make his blessings known Far as the curse is found. He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness And wonders of his love. Amen.   Nehemiah 13:15–22 At that time I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath. They were also bringing in stores of grain and loading them on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought to Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them against selling food on that day. 16 The Tyrians living there were importing fish and all...
Read more

daily reading 52.5 (Psalm 89:38–52)

Image
5-days-a-week through Daniel and other late OT books in 2023 Our opening prayer for this week: Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let ev’ry heart prepare him room And heaven and nature sing. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ. While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy. No more let sins and sorrows grow Nor thorns infest the ground. He comes to make his blessings known Far as the curse is found. He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness And wonders of his love. Amen.   Psalm 89:38–52 But you have spurned and rejected him; you have become enraged with your anointed. 39 You have repudiated the covenant with your servant; you have completely dishonored his crown. 40 You have broken down all his walls; you have reduced his fortified cities to ruins. 41 All who pass by plunder him; he has become an object of ridicule to his neighbors. 42 You ...
Read more

daily reading 45.4 (Nehemiah 5:1–5)

Image
5-days-a-week through Daniel and other late OT books in 2023 Our opening prayer for this week: Lord, keep us steadfast in your Word; Curb those who by deceit or sword Would seek to overthrow your Son And to destroy all he has done. Lord Jesus Christ, your power make known, For you are Lord of lords alone; Defend your Christendom that we May sing your praise eternally. O Comforter of priceless worth, Send peace and unity on earth. Support us in our final strife, And lead us out of death to life.  Amen.   Nehemiah 5:1 –5 There was a widespread outcry from the people and their wives against their Jewish countrymen. 2  Some were saying, "We, our sons, and our daughters are numerous. Let us get grain so that we can eat and live." 3  Others were saying, "We are mortgaging our fields, vineyards, and homes to get grain during the famine." 4 Still others were saying, "We have borrowed money to pay the king's tax on our fields and vineyards.  5  We and our children ...
Read more