Do Not Interfere (Ezra 6:7)

 


Saturday, October 19, 2024


Psalms 110; 111

Ezra 6:1-15

1 Peter 2:18-25


Observance: Henry Martyn, missionary and Bible translator in India and Persia (d. 1812)


Do Not Interfere (Ezra 6:7)


Earlier in these studies we wondered about how God brings about his plans and purposes using unlikely means, such as a pagan government. Today’s reading from Ezra reinforces this wonder: king Darius seems to have been hedging his bets, spiritually speaking, and encouraged the work of the temple so as to have a place and a people praying for him and his sons.


The force of a mighty human empire supporting such a work is also impressive, with this gory threat of impalement as punishment for disobedience. I’m sure Darius thought he was being very scary, and I’m sure everyone at the time agreed it would be an unpleasant thing to happen. But this was the work of the kingdom, and one is reminded of Jesus’ reminder to fear not the one who can destroy the body, but the one who can destroy both body and soul.


What makes today’s reading stand out and apart from that other theme is that we have here a government memorandum in the Bible. Scripture is God-breathed, so St Paul teaches – how does this fall under that category?


As the Persian king said, our God is indeed the God of heaven – the God above all gods, the God from whom every other thing gets its name. And if God wants to speak through a government memorandum, then God can speak through a government memorandum. “Do not interfere with the work of my kingdom” God says, and today he is saying it through the public service.


God is speaking to us all the time, often through our life circumstances and the conversations we have. Fortunately for us, he has also given us the Bible, so that we can check our experiences in life against the words of scripture, to help with hearing what God has to say to us. How do you discern God’s voice in your life? What is foremost in your mind right as regards your life circumstances? What does the Bible have to say about it?


God of heaven, speak to me in my life, so that I may hear you clearly and follow you lovingly.

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