Ezra 6 Footnotes

6:8 While it is preferable not to take government money for ministry activities, this passage reveals that the Bible does not condemn such assistance. However, a ministry must be very careful if it chooses to take government funding to assist its work, for it is always possible that government intrusion will follow government investment.

6:18 Here is another example of this community’s belief that Moses wrote the Pentateuch. See note on 3:2 for an explanation.

6:21 Spiritual holiness was expected of those who worshiped God. Today’s church could learn from this early community. Church discipline has fallen by the wayside as contemporary congregations attempt to shed their image of exclusivity. However, God expects to be served by a holy people. The church today must demand that church members conduct themselves according to certain spiritual standards that honor the faith community and God (Rm 12:1-2; 1Pt 1:13-16).