There are essentially two strategies rulers may take in the
matter of conquered peoples and lands.
One is that they are to be wiped out and entirely subjugated, all their
former practices and laws, including religion, are forbidden to them. The second strategy is to allow them to
continue to practice their religion and to have their own land as fiefdoms,
paying tribute to their overlords. Artaxerxes
chose the second route with respect to
Israel. He allowed both the rebuilding
of the wall by Nehemiah and the reconstruction of the temple by Ezra. These concessions were designed to make the
Jews better citizens of his empire by virtue of his benevolence and generosity. He was indeed generous, allowing Ezra to
spend what he needed to rebuild the temple and provide whatever offerings his
God needed. He also allowed any of the
Jews who so desired to accompany the priest back to Jerusalem. He further instructed that those already
living in the area were to provide as well for the resettling community. Was he not worried that they would be less
good citizens if they were allowed to return and restore the city? If he knew anything about this religion he
would have known that it had the potential to be a model community, that the
Law was actually a good thing for a citizenry, it made good people. Ezra was a good example of what a good
citizen was and he was a man who is described as one who "had set his
heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and
rules in Israel." In his example
the king put his trust. Sounds a bit
like Joseph in Egypt doesn't it?
Herod's argument for believing that Jesus was John the
Baptist raised from the dead is based on a very simple logic. Even though John didn't do miracles prior to
his death, if he indeed had passed beyond death to resurrection he would surely
have some special powers he didn't have before.
The logic is sound enough on its face but it begins with a false
premise, that this was John. If indeed
it were John then it would certainly seem that of all men Herod had a good bit
to worry about. His execution of John
was a sin and Herod was a Jew by birth if not by practice. He had made a rash vow and paid it to his
wife's daughter (think the story of Esther) by having John beheaded. Herod, like many others, made a wrong
decision about Jesus, failing to recognize Him for who He was. It is somewhat understandable in his case as
Jesus was just coming to prominence at the time of John's death so he likely
hadn't heard much about Jesus until afterwards.
It is always good to know who is standing before you.
There is no room for saying "Oops" on this
judgment. An angel flies over the earth
with a simple message, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his
judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the
springs of water.” The judgment that
John promised is finally appearing and the warning is plainly and simply given,
no room for misunderstanding on who He is or what is getting ready to
happen. The second angel tells the sign,
fallen is Babylon the great whore, the one who led the people astray. The third angel tells his message plainly as
well, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his
forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured
full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and
sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And
the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day
or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the
mark of its name.” We need not worry
about making a mistake, it will be clear when this time comes. However, we must be wise and wary, we must
know the word of the Lord and set our hearts to do it and teach it to others,
just like Ezra.
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