Ezra 4:14 Meaning and Explanation
“Now because we have maintenance from the king’s palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king’s dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →The writers claim that loyalty to the king, who supports them, compels them to report this danger to his honor.
What Does Ezra 4:14 Mean?
The letter strikes a pose of loyalty. Because they receive maintenance from the king's palace, that is, they are sustained by the crown, the writers say it would be improper to watch the king's dishonour in silence. They present their accusation as a duty of gratitude, dressing self-interest in the robes of faithful service. The flattery is calculated to make the king trust their alarm.
Few disguises are so common as selfishness pretending to be devotion. The accusers cloak their hostility toward God's people as concern for the king's honor, when their true aim is their own advantage. Scripture repeatedly exposes this: smooth words covering a hidden agenda. The Lord, who looks on the heart and not the appearance, is not deceived by polished claims of loyalty. He weighs the motive beneath the speech, and before Him every mask falls away.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezra 4:14
What does Ezra 4:14 mean?
The writers claim that loyalty to the king, who supports them, compels them to report this danger to his honor.