The scribe

Ezra 7:1-10 (click the link to read the passages)

Ezra was an outstanding student of the Law of Moses, who had descended from Aaron (v. 5), and a well-trusted official of King Artaxerxes I of Persia who administered Jewish affairs in his kingdom. His task could best be described as ‘Secretary of State for Jewish Affairs’. He plays a strategic part in the return of the Jews to their homeland from Babylon at the end of the 70-year captivity which had been predicted by Jeremiah. Ezra had diligently studies the Scriptures with a view to putting them into action in his own life and of teaching others to obey them also. He came to Jerusalem with the full backing of the king and, more importantly, with the blessing of God upon him.

For thought and contemplation:

Are you involved in teaching the truths of God’s word to others? Ezra’s advice would be this: let your teaching be the overflow of a life that puts God’s word into practice day by day. Remember – you cannot make God’s truth real to others until it is real to you.

“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26, NIV)

The leader

Ezra 7:11-28

Ezra receives great encouragement and support from King Artaxerxes in relation to the planned expedition to Jerusalem. The king makes a decree regarding financial provision for the task, and authorising Ezra to appoint suitable men as magistrates to administer the law and punish evildoers. All Jews who feel inclined to return to Jerusalem are free to depart, and Ezra is authorised to carry the offerings for the Temple, to purchase sacrificial animals and to use the rest of the money as he sees fit. A sizeable group decides to leave Babylon with Ezra, and they set out on the first day of the first month—Nisan—in 458 B.C, the seventh year of King Artaxerxes’ reign.

For thought and contemplation:

History records that the group which left Babylon with Ezra amounted to less than 2,000 people—a small number for such an enormous task. But God always likes to engineer situations so that when the work is accomplished, He is seen to have had the biggest part in it!

“…God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise… the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things… to nullify the things that are, so that no-one may boast before him.” (1 Cor. 1:27-29, NIV)

The administrator

Ezra 8:1-20

Ezra gathers those who have shown themselves eager and willing to return to Jerusalem at a camp by a local river, and conducts a roll-call. The list of families is similar to the earlier one recorded in chapter 2, and may indicate that some were now going to rejoin other members of the family who had returned on an earlier occasion. Ezra’s review shows up the fact that there are no Levites—ministers for the house of God—among the emigrants.

Word is sent to a nearby Jewish community, and soon 38 Levites join the group along with 220 Nethinim—assistants to the Levites.

After a period of fasting and prayer for a safe journey, the company set out for the Holy City.

For thought and contemplation:

One dreads to think what might have happened if Ezra had taken things for granted and had not paused to make a careful check-up. Pause today in your busy life, and ask yourself: how am I doing as a Christian? Am I further forward in the Christian life now than I was this time last year?

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Eph. 5:15-17, NIV)

The example

Ezra 8:21-36

It is estimated by some commentators that the money and treasure which Ezra carried from Babylon to Jerusalem was worth, in present-day values, about a million pounds. Ezra decides, however, after fasting and prayer, to trust the Lord for protection on the 900-mile journey from Babylon to Jerusalem and not to ask the king for a military escort. Ezra wisely decides to have all the treasures in his possession weighed before and after the journey, thus lessening the possibility of any false accusations being made against him should he incur the wrath of those who might be against his spiritual reforms.

For thought and contemplation:

Ezra’s decision to trust in God rather than in military might was a daring step of faith. And when they arrive safely, their gratitude knows no bounds. How grateful are you for God’s leadings and deliverances in your life? Remember—gratitude is only as sincere as the effort you make to express it.

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:18, NIV)

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Ezra—revivalist and reformer

Reconstruction. Restoration. Revival. After 70 years of captivity in Babylonia it is time for the Jews to return to their homeland. The first expedition, led by Zerubbabel, makes the 900-mile trek from Persia to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. After a 58-year parenthesis, Ezra the priest sets out with his band of priests and Levites to rebuild the spiritual life of the returning exiles.

J. Vernon McGee writes the following about Ezra:

“He is one of the characters who has not received proper recognition. Ezra was a descendant of Hilkiah, the high priest (Ezra 7:1), who found a copy of the Law during the reign of Josiah (2 Chron. 34:14). Ezra, as a priest, was unable to serve during the captivity, but he gave his time to a study of the Word of God—he was ‘a ready scribe in the law of Moses’ (Ezra 7:6). Ezra was a revivalist and reformer. The revival began with the reading of the Word of God by Ezra (see Neh. 8). Also, he probably was the writer of 1st and 2nd Chronicles and of Psalm 119, which exalts the Word of God. He organised the synagogue, and was the founder of the order of scribes, helped settle the canon of Scripture and arranged the Psalms.”

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The intercessor

Ezra chapter 9

Upon his arrival in Jerusalem, Ezra learns that his fellow countrymen have become involved in mixed marriages with heathen women, and that this has been practised also by some of the priests and Levites. The news causes him considerable concern, and he shows his grief in the customary manner of those days—by tearing his garments and plucking out the hair from his head and beard.

Like-minded Jews gather around him until the time of the evening sacrifice, when Ezra pours out before God a prayer of confession and intercession. Although Ezra himself is not guilty of any offence, he identifies with the sin of his people—an act which can be observed in many Old Testament saints and prophets.

For thought and contemplation:

Examine Ezra’s prayer and you will find such words as ‘guilt’, ‘sins’, ‘ashamed’ and ‘disgraced’. How desperately we need intercessors like Ezra who will identify themselves with the sins of the nation, and cry to God in fervent, believing prayer for healing and restoration.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14, NIV)

The reformer

Ezra chapter 10

A large crowd gathers around Ezra as he weeps and prays, and as they observe his grief they, too, weep bitterly. Shecaniah, one of the group, acts as spokesman and openly confesses their sin, expressing, at the same time, hope in God’s mercy as they promise to put things right. Ezra calls upon the people to make a vow that they will rid themselves of their sin and bring their lives into line with God’s law. After a night of fasting and prayer, a proclamation is made calling for a national assembly where a decision is made to let local officials handle the corrective details. Those with heathen partners are required to formally put away their spouses and children.

For thought and contemplation:

Despite the driving rain, the issue was so important that it had to be deal with—an excellent example of how to deal with a spiritual problem. If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing now. “Time will heal” may be true in relation to some things, but never in relation to sin.

“…Whatever He says to you, do it.” (John 2:5, NASB)

The preacher

Nehemiah 8:1-18 and Ezra 7:10-11

Soon after the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls is completed, the people are gathered together to rededicate themselves to God. Ezra is the chief expositor of the law, and reads and preaches from a wooden platform, assisted by thirteen Levites (Neh. 8:1-8). The readings continue through the seven days of the feast (v. 18), punctuated by comments and explanations by Ezra. The effect of the reading of the Law on the people is remarkable. They break out into weeping as they realise in how many ways they have transgressed God’s commandments. The recognition of Ezra as chief expositor rested on the fact that he had put in many years of faithful and diligent study.

For thought and contemplation:

How much time do you give to diligent study and perusal of the word of God? No one has ever entered into a great ministry of Bible exposition until he or she has spent time meditating on, analysing and memorising the Scriptures. There are no shortcuts to effective Christian service.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15, NIV)