Ezra

Ezra 7: God's hand strengthens Ezra

Begin in prayer

Before we hear how Ezra sets his heart to seek, do and teach God's law, let us ask for the help of God's good hand. Please pray for willing ears, and for eyes to see Jesus through the Word we are about to hear.

Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.

Psalm 119:33-34

Father in heaven, please open our eyes to understand the law You gave and the help You gave Ezra. Show us Jesus in Your Word, and make us more like Him. Please bless our family as we learn to listen, obey and speak of You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Ezra, a skilled scribe in the law of Moses, goes up from Babylon, and the king grants all his request according to God's hand. The journey from Babylon takes four months, and Ezra arrives by the good hand of his God. He sets his heart to seek the LORD's law, do it and teach statutes and ordinances in Israel. Artaxerxes gives him a letter concerning the journey, gifts for God's house, its service, judges and the teaching of God's laws. The letter orders judgment with all diligence for refusing God's law and the king's law, whether death, banishment, confiscation of goods or imprisonment. Ezra blesses the LORD for putting the beautifying of His house in the king's heart and for extending loving kindness to him.

As you read Ezra 7, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God's good hand strengthens Ezra to seek God's law, do it and teach it.

Six times this book says God's hand was on Ezra or the travelers. The chapter traces Ezra's family to Aaron because he comes as a priest as well as a teacher. A scribe skilled in the law must understand the word God gave through Moses. Ezra's purpose joins seeking, doing and teaching, so knowledge must shape the teacher's own life. The royal letter gives him resources and authority, yet Ezra thanks God for the kindness behind them. Even the king's desire to beautify the temple belongs to God's work. The law in Ezra's hand and the hand of God upon him explain his strength for this calling.

How does Ezra 7 show us that God's good hand strengthens Ezra to seek God's law, do it and teach it?

God's hand was on Ezra as the king granted all his request.

The king's favorable response is traced to God's hand upon Ezra. The same kindness carries him from Babylon to Jerusalem. He can thank God for human help because God works through the people who provide it.

Ezra set his heart to seek, do and teach God's law.

Ezra studied the law, obeyed it, and then taught it to others. He gives God the credit, saying he “was strengthened according to Yahweh my God’s hand on me” (verse 28). The law he taught showed God's holy will and how much Israel needed mercy. Jesus is the One who kept that law perfectly in the place of His people.

God put the beautifying of His house in the king's heart.

The king supplies gifts and authorizes Ezra to appoint judges and teach those who do not know God's law. Ezra sees God's work behind it, for the LORD “put such a thing as this in the king’s heart” (verse 27). Ezra praises God for the kindness that has strengthened him for this responsibility.

Memorise

For Ezra had set his heart to seek Yahweh’s law, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Ezra 7:10

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what sin do I need Jesus to forgive as I learn His Word?

Ezra set his heart “to seek Yahweh’s law, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” The teacher himself stood under God's word. God's good hand strengthened him for that calling.

Jesus explained that the Law, Prophets and Psalms spoke of His suffering and resurrection (Luke 24 verses 44 to 47). Knowing their words must lead us to the Savior they proclaim. His obedience answers the disobedience of His people, and He carried their sins to the cross. His finished saving work is all His people need to draw near to God. The Teacher rose from the grave, having given His life to save His people.

Your sin needs the Savior the Scriptures point to. Turn from it and believe the good news of Jesus. God forgives those who rest their hope in His Son. Come as a needy sinner to the Savior whom the Scriptures make known.

Parent's note

Tell your children that learning Bible words does not earn salvation, and that Christ alone is the Savior. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His good hand and His Word, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so please leave space for each one who wants to speak.

Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

John 1:45

Father, thank You for giving Your law and for strengthening Ezra to seek it, do it and teach it. Please show each of us our need for Jesus, and lead us to repent and trust Him. Help our family listen to Your Word and speak it with care. Amen.