This two chapters record of the time when Ezra returned to Jerusalem with some of the people of Israel, and some of the priests and Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple servants. In Ezra 7, it also records of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra, which greatly aided him in his return to Jerusalem. The king allowed any Israelites to return with him, gave them silver and gold as offerings, money for the journey, warning against anyone imposing taxes on them.
Throughout
this entire period, Ezra is very clear that God is working wonders among them.
In just
this two chapters alone, he mentioned more than a few times “the hand of God”, knowing full well
that because the hand of God was on them, everything could run smoothly.
When things
are going so smoothly for us, how many of us actually remember God’s role in
it?
… and the king granted him all that he asked,
for the hand of the Lord his God was on him (Ezra 7:6)
… he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of
his God was on him.. (Ezra 7:9)
… by the good hand of our God on us, they
brought us a man of discretion… (Ezra 8:18)… the hand of our God was on us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambushes by the way (Ezra 8:31)
I really
like how Ezra recount the grace and love of God, how he knows that it was God
Himself who had personally “put such a
thing as this into the heart of the king” (Ezra 7:27) and hence, he “took courage” (Ezra 7:28).
Do we often
see the hand of God in our life?
The three
nights of evangelistic services that had just ended also talked about seeing
God. Can we see God in the graces of our life which He has so abundantly
showered upon us? When things run so smoothly and help was given everywhere,
like in the case of Ezra?
Do we see
God in the turning points of our life? When Ezra took on this role of being
sent to teach the people, to revive the faith of the people, it must have been
a significant turning point of his life; and he saw the hand of God and he knew
that God is supporting him.
Are we able
to see God in today’s volatile world, while faced with uncertainties and trials?
Yet, Ezra saw God and knew that it was God who brought him and the people out
of danger and safely reached Jerusalem.
Perhaps one
question we can ask ourselves is, why was God so faithful towards Ezra? Because
Ezra was first faithful towards God.
“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of
the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” (Ezra
7:10)
I shall use
the words of Ezra to the king as a conclusion:
“The hand of our God is for good on all who
seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” (Ezra
8:22)
Let us all
continue to seek Him, to see Him, in our everyday life.
