Ezra Arrives in The Land

G. Campbell Morgan, a profound British preacher whose four sons all became pastors, influenced millions with his preaching, teaching and writing. One day, when his young son Howard finished preaching, a reporter asked him, “Since you have five Pastors in your family who is t … More

Teaching

Between the events of chapter 6 and the return of Ezra in this chapter is a period of fifty-seven years.  Although the people had re-established temple worship under Zerubbabel and Joshua they were obviously living in a backslidden and despondent condition. No further reference is made to Zerubbabel and Joshua and so it is assumed that these great leaders had died in the interval between chapters 6 and 7. Ezra, who was still residing in Babylon, had it laid upon his heart to lead another group back to Jerusalem.

Ezra went from Babylon to Jerusalem, for the good of his country (v. 1). H gives a considerable amount of information about himself that establishes his priestly lineage and gives him authority to deal with the law and worship of Jehovah (vv. 2-6). His lineage is traced all the way back to Aaron, the high priest under Moses (v. 5). His home had been in Babylon and he was a “ready scribe of the law” (v. 6). This implies that he was more than just a scholar who was learned in the law. Ezra came to Jerusalem with the approval of the king and was accompanied by a group of people that included the priests, the Levites, the singers and the porters (vv. 7-8). Even though the heathen king permitted the return of Ezra, it was ultimately the hand of the Lord that made the return possible (v. 9). Ezra spent his entire life studying the Law of the LORD and teaching it to others (v. 10).

Application

I need to be on the lookout for anything that the Word of God teaches and seeking new ways to teach it to others. Many Christians know the Word but never teach it. Notice that Ezra taught from the depth of a pure heart and a consistent life-style. It is not so much that I need to learn new truth but my greatest need is to obey the truth I already know and pass it on to others.

Ezra 7:1-10 (English Standard Version)


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