Ezra was the man whom God could use. He led about 4,000–5,000 Jews to return from Babylonian captivity. They came to Jerusalem. It was the second return of exiles. It happened a little less than 80 years after the first return. That first return was under Zerubbabel and Joshua. In Jerusalem, Ezra’s concern was this. He wanted to bring the Jews back to the Word of God.
Ezra and His Main Concern
This man “had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord. He also wanted to practice it. He also wanted to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10). God connected with this desire of his heart. He moved King Artaxerxes to give the order. It was for those Jews who wanted to return to Jerusalem.
The temple was in that place. Worship took place there. Ezra served among those at the place God had chosen. God had chosen it for His name to dwell there (see Deuteronomy 12:11; 2 Kings 21:7). Ezra taught them through God’s Word. He did so, so that they would be there in a state pleasing to God.
This contains an important lesson for today. Back then, Jerusalem was the place the Lord had chosen. Today, the Lord Jesus is in the midst. He is there where two or three are gathered in His name (see Matthew 18:20). Everything there should agree with the Word of God. My personal condition must match that. It must match the One who is in the midst.
The Word of God is the foundation that guides everything. This is the great lesson we can learn. We learn it from Ezra and his work.
Ezra as a Model
Even if we do not live in Old Testament times, we can still take Ezra as a model. We want to ask what characterized this man. God could use him. Under his leadership, the command of King Artaxerxes was carried out (see Ezra 7:13).
In practical terms, we want to apply this to our tasks in the family. This includes parents and grandparents. It may also include older siblings. We also want to apply it in the people of God. We want to take away impulses. They can help us win others. They can help others to be at the place God has appointed. They can help others enjoy the Word of God. They can help others live according to the Word of God.
A Priest by Birth
Ezra was a priest. He could trace his lineage without gaps back to Aaron, the chief priest. He was such a priest by birth. He had no merit in that. But he knew his lineage. Those around him also knew that he was a priest (see Ezra 7:12).
For us today, we think of this. Every believer is a priest. Through the new birth, we belong to God’s holy and royal priesthood (see 1 Peter 2:5, 9). The only question is this. Do we also live what we are?
A Skilled Scribe
But Ezra was not only a priest by birth. He was also a skilled scribe. He had become that by reading and studying the Scriptures eagerly. They were the Scriptures available to him. With commitment and energy, he occupied himself with the Word of God. He learned from it. That is also the necessary beginning today. It enables us to help others. It helps them know God and His thoughts better.
If my children know me as a Bible reader, their interest in God’s Word is encouraged.
Jerusalem, Not Babylon
Although Ezra was known to the Persian king, his interest was not Babylon. It was not the worldly kingdom. This points to a high position with the king. Ezra was willing to give up comforts and privileges. He did so in order to move to Jerusalem. He wanted to serve there among the people of God. His interest was in the place the Lord had chosen. It was not primarily the place where he lived. There he was in the company of the powerful king and his officials.
Parents who attend the believers’ gatherings with interest will shape their children. They participate and speak of them with joy. Through their good example, they awaken a “taste” for these gatherings.
Desires Aligned with God
When it came to moving to Jerusalem, God worked in King Artaxerxes. He made him willing to give Ezra everything he requested (see Ezra 7:6). This shows us God’s grace. He ensures that everything needed is available for the right path. It also shows us something else. Ezra’s desires were in harmony with God’s thoughts. Therefore, He could ensure that they were all fulfilled.
My surroundings can see what matters to me by my desires. My spouse and children see my concerns through my prayers. They see what I am about.
The Starting Point in the Heart
Everything visible in Ezra’s life began in his heart. He had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord. He also wanted to practice it. He also wanted to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel (see Ezra 7:10). First, we must know God’s thoughts. Only then can we do them. And only when we do them can we teach others.
A Good Reputation
In everything, Ezra also had a good testimony in the world. The letter the king of Persia gave him makes this very clear (see Ezra 7:11–26). The king knew about Ezra’s connection with the God of heaven. He knew about his knowledge of the Scriptures. He also knew that Ezra could work conscientiously. It is true that it was God’s gracious work. It made Artaxerxes so favorable toward Ezra. But it is also true that Ezra’s behavior was no obstacle.
Winning Others for the Journey
Thus Ezra could also have a good influence on others. When he realized that only a few Levites were willing to go to Jerusalem, he was able to win many. He won Levites and Nethinim. They set out on the difficult journey. However, Ezra did not credit this to himself. He credited it to the good hand of God that helped him (see Ezra 8:15–20).
It is mainly one’s own good example that can win others for a good path –
an important point, especially for parents!
Trust Without Military Protection
In everything he did, Ezra trusted in his God. He had spoken of his God. He spoke of this. His hand is for good upon all those who seek Him (see Ezra 8:22). Therefore, he did not want to ask the Persian king for military support. The journey to Jerusalem was dangerous. He trusted God, even though great dangers lay ahead. With fasting and prayer, he sought God. He asked Him for help. He did so with several days of fasting and praying. This shows that he did not set out lightly. But God’s help was enough for him. That shows his trust in God. And he was not put to shame in it!
Trust in God on the way
of obedience is never disappointed!
Ezra and God’s Help
So Ezra experiences God’s help. It brings him safely to Jerusalem. It also lets him be a blessing there among the exiles. This help is linked five times in Ezra 7 and 8. It is linked with the good hand of God.
God’s good hand is also at work for us today. When we sometimes feel how weak we are, we may be encouraged by Ezra. This applies in raising children. It also applies regarding our grandchildren. It applies in connection with other tasks among God’s people. First, by the features that marked his life. But above all, by the help of God that he experienced.
“The hand of our God is favorably disposed to all those who seek Him, but His power and His anger are against all those who abandon Him.”
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