What is the meaning of Ezra 7:26? If anyone does not keep the law of your God Ezra records King Artaxerxes acknowledging that God’s commands are the ultimate standard. • The king is mindful of Israel’s covenant obligations (Deuteronomy 6:1-3; Joshua 1:8). • He sees failure to obey as a serious offense against the living God (Psalm 19:7-11; James 1:22-25). • The statement assumes the law is knowable, binding, and not optional—truth still binding today (Matthew 5:17-19). and the law of the king Civil authority is also to be honored, provided it does not contradict God’s Word. • Scripture calls for submission to governing leaders (Romans 13:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13-17). • Wise rulers recognize divine authority (Proverbs 24:21). • Artaxerxes’ decree aligns his royal law with God’s, illustrating how earthly power should serve heavenly purposes (Ezra 7:23). let a strict judgment be executed against him Disobedience brings tangible consequences; justice is not theoretical. • The Mosaic Law contained clear penalties to restrain evil (Exodus 21:12; Deuteronomy 17:12). • Government carries the “sword” as God’s servant for wrath against wrongdoers (Romans 13:4). • Ezra is authorized to administer justice swiftly, underscoring the seriousness of covenant life. whether death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment Four escalating penalties cover every level of offense. • Capital punishment was prescribed for the gravest sins (Deuteronomy 13:5; Jeremiah 29:22). • Exile was a covenant curse (Leviticus 26:33; 2 Kings 25:9-11). • Loss of property hit offenders economically (Nehemiah 13:25; Acts 5:1-11 shows the principle in the New Testament era). • Imprisonment restrained those who threatened community order (Jeremiah 37:15; Acts 16:24). These options gave Ezra flexibility to match punishment with crime, maintaining both holiness and social stability. summary Ezra 7:26 presents a God-honoring king who empowers Ezra to enforce both divine and civil law with firm, proportionate justice. The verse underscores that: • God’s law is supreme, non-negotiable, and still the plumb line for life. • Legitimate government should support, not compete with, God’s authority. • Sin has serious, real-world consequences, and righteous leaders are obligated to address it. The passage challenges believers to respect God’s commands, honor rightful authority, and uphold justice in every sphere of life. |
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