August 20 Thought for Today – “Taxes and Judges” “I decree that no priest, Levite, singer, gatekeeper, Temple servant, or other worker in the Temple of the Lord will be required to pay taxes of any kind. And you, Ezra, are to use the wisdom God has given you to appoint magistrates and judges who know God’s laws to govern all the people west of the Euphrates River. If the people are not familiar with those laws, you are to teach them.” Ezra 7:24-25 From at least the time when Joseph was prime minister of Egypt, those who serve the Lord in a full-time capacity have not been taxed (Genesis 47:22-26). Here again in the Book of Ezra, King Artaxerxes of Persia is restating the principle that those involved full-time in the Lord’s service were not to be taxed. In Genesis, the priests’ lands were not to be taxed, which established the precedent followed in the U.S. today that property used by churches (and other non-profits) is not to be taxed. With movements afoot in the U.S. to tax churches and other non-profits on both income and property, it is interesting to note that two pagan kings – the Pharaoh of Egypt and King Artaxerxes – so revered and feared God that they ordered specific exemptions for the property and income of those who served God. What is even more amazing is this order of King Artaxerxes: “Use the wisdom God has given you to appoint magistrates and judges who know God’s laws to govern all the people west of the Euphrates River. If the people are not familiar with those laws, you are to teach them.” Artaxerxes was so impressed with what he saw in the lifestyle and behavior of Godly people that he wanted lands and people under his jurisdiction to know God’s law and be governed by it. Today, in a nation founded upon Bible principles, many are doing their best to eradicate officials who openly acknowledge their belief in God and the Bible, and then cry “foul” whenever biblical principles are brought into the discussion. “Separation of church and state” they say, though no such wording is found in the U.S. Constitution. “We don’t want to offend those who don’t believe in God,” though those who don’t believe in Him don’t care if they say hateful things about Christianity and Christians. It is confounding to realize that after nearly 250 years of success under the basic tenets of Christianity, so many antagonists want to do away with it. That is in stark contrast to what Artaxerxes wrote to Ezra: “Anyone who refuses to obey the law of your God and the law of the king (which was to obey the law of God) will be punished immediately by death, banishment, confiscation of goods, or imprisonment” (Ezra 7:26). The problem is a lack of respect for God, which comes from not fearing Him. In a weekly Bible study in which I participate, we’ve been reviewing what the Scriptures says about “the fear of the Lord.” The Bible makes it clear that fearing God is central to a believers’ life and well-being, as it is for a nation. “Fearing Him” is mentioned nearly one-hundred times in the Bible, which ought to get everyone’s attention! Can you imagine how different our nation would become if once again our judges and elected officials knew and feared God, and used His laws in governance…and if the people knew and understood that they were to abide by those laws? What will be the end result of demeaning God and those who fear and respect Him? Perhaps a fresh reading of Jeremiah 5:20-31 will be useful! “Declare this in the house of Jacob and proclaim it in Judah, saying, 21 ‘Hear this now, O foolish people, without understanding, who have eyes and see not, And who have ears and hear not: 22 Do you not fear Me?’ says the LORD. ‘Will you not tremble at My presence, Who have placed the sand as the bound of the sea, By a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass beyond it? And though its waves toss to and fro, Yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it. 23 But this people has a defiant and rebellious heart; They have revolted and departed. 24 They do not say in their heart, let us now fear the LORD our God, Who gives rain, both the former and the latter, in its season. He reserves for us the appointed weeks of the harvest.” 25 Your iniquities have turned these things away, and your sins have withheld good from you. 26 ‘For among My people are found wicked men; they lie in wait as one who sets snares; They set a trap; they catch men. 27 As a cage is full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become great and grown rich. 28 They have grown fat, they are sleek; Yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked; they do not plead the cause, the cause of the fatherless; Yet they prosper, and the right of the needy they do not defend. 29 Shall I not punish them for these things?’ says the LORD. ‘Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?’ 30 “An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: 31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; And My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?” Jeremiah 5:20-31 Selah! copsonthestreet
Posted on: Tue, 20 Aug 2013 10:51:58 +0000
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