Ezra 7 - 8

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.

Paul’s defence before Felix (Acts 24:10-21)

After Paul was captured in Jerusalem, he had a couple of opportunities to defend himself, once publicly, and once before the chief priests and the council. He was subsequently brought before Felix, the governor, because the commander found out that there were Jews who lay in wait for him.

There are two points that I noted in today’s reading of Paul’s defence before Felix.

Firstly, it is Paul’s blamelessness that strikes me. Paul was able to speak so freely and confidently before Felix because of his clear conscience.

“I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” (Acts 24:16)

Indeed, he was not guilty of any disputes or mob, like what the Jews might have tried to suggest. Who can accuse you of something which you have indeed not done?

That’s the power of having a clear conscience. We have done nothing against the commandments of God, and we have done no wrong to anyone. We are able to walk with our heads high because we know that we have indeed done no wrong, and God can attest to that.

On the other hand, one who is guilty of deeds done against God or men (especially secretly) will find himself without peace. If he was to be placed in a similar situation like Paul, his voice will surely not be as loud and confident as Paul’s.

On the last days when Jesus comes again, if we were to be called up one by one to give our defence before God, giving an account of what we have done or not done, will we be able to stand before God with a clear conscience? Can we speak boldly and with confidently, being blameless before God?

Of course, this is not to say that we are perfect creatures and ought never to be guilty of any trespasses and that if we were to commit any wrong, we are condemned.

Being in the flesh, we will definitely have moments of weakness and times when we fall into sins. However, if we are able to confess our weakness and our sins before God, asking Him to wash us clean and help us to do right, then Jesus’ blood would continue to cleanse us of all unrighteousness and justify us before God. In other words, we remain blameless in the eyes of God.   

The second thing that strikes me was how Paul still maintained his stand of believing in Jesus Christ and declared it openly so, despite the fact that this was precisely the reason why the Jews captured him in the first place.

“But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.” (Acts 24:14)

If we were in Paul’s circumstances at that time, what would we have said? Paul said it so plainly, but it must have come with conviction and with true knowledge and deep faith, knowing that this is the True Way. He did not reject the Old Testament Scriptures, nor the Jewish God, drawing parallels with the Jews who spoke against him, but testified of the Way. Are we able to speak with such conviction the next time we are questioned regarding our faith?

May we be blameless in our journey of faith and learn from Paul’s confidence that arise from his clear conscience and conviction.