Be willing in your sacrifice. Be careful in your spending. Deliver fully in your service. And teach others.
Artaxerxes’ letter is a masterpiece. He begins by calling himself “king of kings” (Ezra 7:12), which we feel most appropriately belongs to our Lord Jesus (Rev 19:16). However, this term was used by the Lord’s servants concerning these rulers of empires (e.g., Dan 2:37). In fact, the Lord Himself used it regarding Nebuchadnezzar (Ezek 26:7). The difference with our Lord is that every king who has ever lived will someday bow both knees before Him, and He will reign forever! Now Artaxerxes recognizes that Ezra represents—as you also do, believer—“the God of heaven” (Ezra 7:12), Someone far above him. So he releases all “who volunteer to go up to Jerusalem” (v 13). No conscripts! This is what God always desires—those with willing hearts. In fact, He tells us that if we feel obligated to give, don’t bother (2 Cor 8:12). As a remarkable example and incentive in this regard, Artaxerxes writes, “you are to carry the silver and gold which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel…and…the freewill offering of the people and the priests, are to be freely offered” (Ezra 7:15-16). Then he gently exhorts, “Therefore, be careful to buy with this money bulls, rams, and lambs, with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them on the altar of the house of your God in Jerusalem” (v 17). Ah, yes. Be careful how you spend what you have, whether treasure, talent, or time, so it becomes an offering to the Lord. But the king keeps going. Whatever you have been “given…for the service of the house of your God, deliver in full” (v 19). What a great epitaph to have: What God gave him to do, he delivered in full. In conclusion, the king advises, pass on “your God-given wisdom” to others (v 25). Amen and Amen!