Pray For The Well-Being Of The King And His Sons

Ezra 5:16-6:10 - “So this Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the house of God in Jerusalem. From that day to the present it has been under construction but is not yet finished.” Now if it pleases the king, let a search be made in the royal archives of Babylon to see if King Cyrus did in fact issue a decree to rebuild this house of God in Jerusalem. Then let the king send us his decision in this matter. King Darius then issued an order, and they searched in the archives stored in the treasury at Babylon. A scroll was found in the citadel of Ecbatana in the province of Media, and this was written on it: Memorandum: In the first year of King Cyrus, the king issued a decree concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem: Let the temple be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices, and let its foundations be laid. It is to be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide, with three courses of large stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid by the royal treasury. Also, the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, are to be returned to their places in the temple in Jerusalem; they are to be deposited in the house of God. Now then, Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and you other officials of that province, stay away from there. Do not interfere with the work on this temple of God. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its site. Moreover, I hereby decree what you are to do for these elders of the Jews in the construction of this house of God: Their expenses are to be fully paid out of the royal treasury, from the revenues of Trans-Euphrates, so that the work will not stop. Whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, male lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, and wheat, salt, wine and olive oil, as requested by the priests in Jerusalem—must be given them daily without fail, so that they may offer sacrifices pleasing to the God of heaven and pray for the well-being of the king and his sons.


1 Timothy 2:1-2 - I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Application:

· Do I pray for the well-being of those in authority over me? (president, congressional representatives, state representatives, governors, mayors, bosses, councilmen, church leaders, parents, etc.)

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Believe In The Name Of The Son

1 John 5:13-16 - I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that.

1 John 3:23 - And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

Hebrews 10:26-27 - If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

Jeremiah 7:16 - "So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you.

Conclusions:

• This command has two parts: (1) Believe in Christ, and (2) love each other
• “Deliberately keep on sinning” refers to committing the sin of apostasy (total rejection of Christianity after being Christian)
• To reject Christ’s sacrifice for sins is to reject the only sacrifice; there is no other
• A true prophet would pray for his people
• In Jeremiah 7:16, there is virtually no hope for his people
• On various occasions, Jeremiah prayed for his countrymen

Application:

• Do you believe in Christ and love others?
• Do you deliberately keep on sinning?
• Do you pray for people there is no hope for?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Elders

James 5:12-14 - Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned. Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

Psalm 50:14-15 - Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."

Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Psalm 23:5 - You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

1 Timothy 5:17 - The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

Conclusions:

• God is honored with praise in the fulfillment of the vows—and, implicitly, with obedience to His covenant law
• The word of Christ refers especially to Christ’s teaching, which in the time of the Colossians was transmitted orally
• But by implication, the word of Christ includes the Old Testament as well as the New Testament
• Some of the most important doctrines were expressed in Christian hymns preserved for us now only in Paul’s letters
• Psalms refers to the Old Testament psalms, some of which may have been set to music by the church
• Psalm could also describe a song newly composed for Christian worship
• A hymn was a song of praise, especially used in celebration, much like the Old Testament psalms that praised God for all that He is
• A song recounted the acts of God and praised Him for them, much like the Old Testament psalms that thanked God for all that He had done
• The heavenly Shepherd-King receives David at His table as His vassal king and takes him under His protection
• In the ancient Near East, covenants were also included with a meal expressive of the bond of friendship; in the case of vassal treaties or covenants, the vassal was present as the guest of the overlord
• Anointing the head with oil was customary treatment of an honored guest at a banquet
• All elders were to exercise leadership and to teach and preach, and all were to receive honor
• Those who excelled in leadership were to be counted worthy of double honor
• This was especially true of those who labored at teaching and preaching
• Such honor should include financial support

Application:

• Are you obedient to God's law?
• Does the word of Christ dwell in you richly?
• Are you under God's protection?
• Do you honor your elders?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible