Ezra 7:11
Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel. Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.
This verse gives the copy of the royal letter that King Artaxerxes Longimanus gave to Ezra, commissioning him to act and to return to Jerusalem. It describes Ezra as the priest and scribe of the words of the commandments of the Lord and His statutes to Israel, learned and skilled in the law of the God of heaven and raised up by the Lord to renew its study and practice. The decree was issued in the seventh year of Artaxerxes, dated to 457 B.C., as the third and final decree for restoring and building Jerusalem, completing what Cyrus began and Darius continued. This decree is the starting point from which the seventy weeks begin and from which the 2,300-year period of Daniel 8:14 is reckoned, taking effect in autumn 457 B.C. That period was reckoned as 2300 minus 457 to end in 1843, while those who held that the decree came near the close of the year teach that it reaches instead to the fall of 1844.
The Letter and Setting
Ezra 7:11 presents the copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes Longimanus gave to Ezra as a royal commission authorizing him to act and to return to Jerusalem. The letter identifies Ezra as the priest and the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the Lord and of His statutes to Israel. He is described as learned and skilled in that law, also called the law of the God of heaven, and his attainments in it are recognized by the king. The Lord raised up Ezra as His servant and enabled him to find favor with the king.
The decree was issued in the seventh year of Artaxerxes, dated to 457 B.C. Under it Ezra led a company of Jews back to Jerusalem after seventy years of captivity in Babylon. The commission authorized him to help restore the city and to renew the study and practice of God's word. It provided gifts for the temple and abundant means for rebuilding the temple, with heavy expenses ordered to be paid out of the royal treasure-house.
It was the third and final decree for the restoring and building of Jerusalem since the close of the seventy years captivity. It completed the work begun by Cyrus and continued by Darius, so that Scripture counts the actions of the kings as one decree. The decree is remarkable for its reverent expressions regarding the God of heaven, for its recognition of Ezra's attainments, and for the liberality of its grants to the remnant people of God. Joined with his counselors, the king freely offered to the God of Israel whose habitation is in Jerusalem. In this return God's people were given another opportunity to serve Him there, showing God's forbearance toward them.
Prophetic Starting Point
The copy of the letter introduced here is the decree to restore and build Jerusalem from which the seventy weeks begin and from which the 2,300-year period of Daniel 8:14 is reckoned. It went forth in 457 B.C., in the seventh year of Artaxerxes. It took effect in autumn.
The reckoning was taught as 2300 minus 457 leaving 1843, fixing the close of the prophetic period in 1843 with the coming of the Lord. That starting date was susceptible of the clearest proof. The calculation from the decree was so simple and plain that even children could understand it.
Because the decree was given near the end and close of the year 457 B.C. and not at the beginning of the year, the period reaches to the fall of 1844 rather than ending in 1843. What was first expected to terminate in 1843 was thus moved to the fall of 1844. The apparent delay did not mean the vision had failed, but that its appointed time had not yet arrived.