Ezra 7:24 Commentary and Bible Study

There is to be no taxing of the Levites and even the Nethinims, all who are serving the temple. This is extraordinary – those serving in the temple are given this special provision by Artaxerxes to reward them for their work and relieve them of any risk of poverty. Then autonomy in verse 25. ‘And thou Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river.’ That is for the whole of Judah. That is going to deliver him really wonderfully out of the hands of his enemies round about; if he's given autonomy for justice and law enforcement within Judah, complete with powers of inflict punishment. The king is aware that some of those dwelling in the region are Jews, but they have had no instruction for many years, and they need to be brought back again to the faith of their fathers. Verse 26 marks the end of the decree, but what astonishing help and provisions have been given to Ezra. These decrees seem to have been issued by Artaxerxes with knowledge – he was not a Jew himself; he must have been taught these things by Ezra and others – and with considerable enthusiasm and urgency, indicating his personal interest in this work.