Ezra 7:27

¶ Blessed [be] the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put [such a thing] as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which [is] in Jerusalem:

Blessed {H1288} be the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of our fathers {H1}, which hath put {H5414} such a thing as this in the king's {H4428} heart {H3820}, to beautify {H6286} the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068} which is in Jerusalem {H3389}:

Blessed be ADONAI, the God of our ancestors, who has put such a thing as this in the heart of the king, to restore the beauty of the house of ADONAI in Yerushalayim,

Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put into the heart of the king to so honor the house of the LORD in Jerusalem,

Blessed be Jehovah, the God of our fathers, who hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem;

Context

Ezra 7:27 is a heartfelt doxology, or prayer of praise, offered by Ezra, the scribe and priest, after receiving a remarkable decree from King Artaxerxes of Persia. This decree, detailed in Ezra 7:11-26, granted Ezra extensive authority and resources to return to Jerusalem. His mission was to teach God's law, organize the religious life of the community, and significantly, to contribute to the beautification and provisioning of the second Temple, which had been rebuilt earlier but still lacked its former glory. This verse highlights Ezra's immediate recognition of God's hand in orchestrating such a favorable outcome from a pagan king.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: The verse powerfully declares God's ultimate control, even over powerful earthly rulers. Ezra attributes the king's favorable disposition directly to God, affirming that "the LORD God of our fathers... hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart." This resonates with the biblical principle that the king's heart is in the hand of the LORD.
  • God's Providence for His People: Despite the Israelites being in exile and under foreign rule, God actively works on their behalf. He influences the hearts of kings to ensure the well-being and spiritual flourishing of His chosen people, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant promises.
  • Restoration and Beautification of the Temple: The ultimate purpose of God's influence on Artaxerxes was "to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem." This shows God's desire for His dwelling place to be honored and properly maintained, reflecting the spiritual priorities of the community.
  • Thanksgiving and Praise: Ezra's immediate response is one of profound gratitude and praise, setting an example for believers to acknowledge God's hand in all circumstances, especially in unexpected blessings.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "hath put [such a thing] as this in the king's heart" emphasizes the direct, supernatural influence of God. It's not mere coincidence or political expediency that moved Artaxerxes, but a divine prompting. This highlights God's ability to work through anyone, even those who do not acknowledge Him, to accomplish His purposes. The KJV's "beautify" (from Hebrew l'fa'er) means to glorify, adorn, or make splendid, indicating a desire for the Temple to be a magnificent and worthy place of worship, not just functional.

Practical Application

Ezra's experience encourages us to recognize God's sovereign hand in our own lives and in the world around us. Even in seemingly secular or challenging environments, God can influence individuals and circumstances to further His will. This verse calls us to:

  • Trust in God's Control: Understand that God is actively at work, even when we don't see it, orchestrating events for His glory and our good.
  • Pray for Leaders: Just as God influenced Artaxerxes, we can pray for those in authority, knowing that God can incline their hearts towards justice and righteousness.
  • Be Thankful: Cultivate a heart of gratitude, quick to bless the Lord for His unexpected provisions and interventions, just as Ezra did.
  • Prioritize God's House: Recognize the importance of supporting and honoring places of worship, whether a physical building or the spiritual community of believers, as a reflection of our devotion to God.

Reflection

Ezra 7:27 serves as a powerful reminder that God's plans are unstoppable. He uses various means, including the hearts of kings, to ensure His purposes are fulfilled and His people are blessed. Ezra's praise is a testament to the fact that when we see God's hand at work, our natural response should be profound thanksgiving and adoration for the Lord God of our fathers.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezra 6:22

    And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

  • Isaiah 60:13

    The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.

  • Revelation 17:17

    For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

  • James 1:17

    Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:16

    ¶ But thanks [be] to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

  • Hebrews 10:16

    This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

  • Hebrews 8:10

    For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

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