Reputation counts….

 Reputation counts…

reputation

: overall quality or character as seen or judged by people in general

: recognition by other people as of some characteristic or ability…

: a place in public esteem or regard : good name

Merriam-Webster ….

In Ezra 7, the king,Artaxerxes, knowing and commending Ezra, gives him permission to return to Jerusalem with supplies to use for the temple of God, (wouldn’t it be interesting to see if Artaxerxes is in heaven because of Ezra’s testimony and life?)

 (In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.

Proverbs 21:1)

Ezra’s reputation was held in high regard by the king, giving him supplies of food, gold(3 3/4 tons), trusting him to do what he had proposed…letting him go and teach “ any that do not know the law of God…”

 this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him. 

For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. 

This is a copy of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law, a man learned in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the Lord for Israel: Artaxerxes, king of kings,To Ezra the priest, teacher of the Law of the God of heaven:

Greetings. You are sent by the king and his seven advisers to inquire about Judah and Jerusalem with regard to the Law of your God, which is in your hand. 

Moreover, you are to take with you the silver and gold that the king and his advisers have freely given to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem, together with all the silver and gold you may obtain from the province of Babylon, as well as the freewill offerings of the people and priests for the temple of their God in Jerusalem. 

With this money be sure to buy bulls, rams and male lambs, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and sacrifice them on the altar of the temple of your God in Jerusalem. You and your fellow Israelites may then do whatever seems best with the rest of the silver and gold, in accordance with the will of your God. 

Deliver to the God of Jerusalem all the articles entrusted to you for worship in the temple of your God. And anything else needed for the temple of your God that you are responsible to supply, you may provide from the royal treasury. 

Now I, King Artaxerxes, decree that all the treasurers of Trans-Euphrates are to provide with diligence whatever Ezra the priest, the teacher of the Law of the God of heaven, may ask of you— And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God, which you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people of Trans-Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. 

And you are to teach any who do not know them.

Ezra.7.6,Ezra.7.10-12,Ezra.7.14-21,Ezra.7.25

I like the ending though…Ezra thanks God for his blessing, his good favor through the king…God used a pagan king to rebuild and teach…

One of my notes I found to myself was “Thanksgiving brings peace…”

 But back to reputation, Paul speaks to Timothy about reputation of elders…” He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.”

1Tim.3.7

So, how to do act and look to others, one of trustworthiness or not? Of good reputation in the community? Food for thought…

Thank YOU…

 Gratitude…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoHrBNTfzIs&list=RDUoHrBNTfzIs&start_radio=1