FOR EZRA HAD SET HIS HEART:
(1Samuel 7:3; 1Chronicles 29:18; 2Chronicles 12:14; 19:3; Job
11:13; Psalms 10:17; 57:7)
Exposition of
the "Ezra 7:10 Principle" - the "secret" of Spirit empowered, Word
centered, Christ exalting, God glorifying preaching and "abundant
life" living (John 10:10).
The "setting"
of our heart - At the outset of this exposition, it strikes me
that Ezra's heart was like a compass, ever pointing to God through the
supernatural working of His Spirit and His living and active word. And
it was in this supernatural context of a Word saturated, God centered
heart, that Ezra, a man of the Book and the God of the Book, was
compelled (even impelled) to return to his beloved city of Jerusalem.
May we as believers on this side of the Cross find ourselves so
similarly saturated with God's love letter that it grips our heart
like it did Ezra's, so that we are compelled (even impelled) to live
progressively more and more with a Colossians 3:1, 2, 3, 4/Romans 12:1, 2
mindset (notes
Colossians 3:1;
3:2;
3:3;
3:4;
Romans 12:1;
12:2)
and the things of this present world grow strangely dim in the light
of His glory and grace. Amen. (Turn
Your Eyes Upon Jesus - Violin and Video;
Cyberhymnal Midi)
O soul, are you
weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Refrain
Refrain
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!
Refrain
His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Refrain
3
JEWISH RETURNS
FROM BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY
Historical
Context - Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther are the last three books in
the historical section of the Old Testament (Joshua-Nehemiah).
These three books tell us what happened to the Jewish people after the
70 Year Babylonian Captivity and give details of the three stages of
the return of the Jews (538, 458, 445 BC) to their beloved city
Jerusalem. In is interesting to note that there were also three stages
of exile to Babylon - 603, 597 and 586 BC!
|
THE 3 RETURNS OF THE
JEWS TO JERUSALEM
AFTER THE 70 YEARS OF BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY |
|
# |
DATE |
SCRIPTURE |
LEADER |
RULER |
|
1 |
538 BC |
Ezra 1-6
Temple Rebuilt |
Zerubbabel
Joshua |
Cyrus |
|
58 Years
= Time Lapse Between Ezra 6 & 7
All the Events of Esther Take Place During this Time |
|
2 |
458 BC |
Ezra 7-10 |
Ezra |
Artaxerxes |
|
Ezra
Serves as Priest in Jerusalem for the Intervening 13 Years
Ezra Appears in Nehemiah 8 After Wall Rebuilt - Revival
Occurs |
|
3 |
445 BC |
Nehemiah 1-13
Wall Rebuilt |
Nehemiah |
Artaxerxes |
Relationship
of the books of Ezra to Nehemiah and Esther - The book of Ezra
is a very interesting book because it is actually two books,
Ezra 1-6 comprising "book one" and Ezra 7-10 comprising
"book two". Between Ezra 6 and 7 there is a time gap of about
58 years! And guess what? During this 58 year time gap all of the
events in the book of Esther took place! Then Ezra 10 is
immediately succeeded by the events in the book of Nehemiah. So
compressed into these last 3 historical books of the Old Testament
canon, are four fascinating stories dealing with God's sovereign,
providential dealings with His chosen people after 70 year period of
punishment as captives in Babylon. In Psalm 137, the psalmist
gives us some insight into how the exiled Jews felt about this time of
exile. As you read these words filled with pathos, ponder the pain and
the pull of homesickness for the city of God that must have gripped
godly leaders like Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah...
Psalm 137:1 By the rivers of
Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 Upon
the willows in the midst of it We hung our harps. 3 For there our
captors demanded of us songs, And our tormentors mirth, saying, "Sing
us one of the songs of Zion." 4 How can we sing the LORD's song In a
foreign land? 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget
her skill. 6 May my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I
do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.
Comment: These sad words
give us some insight into the emotions that must have filled and
motivated the hearts of men like Ezra and Nehemiah to resolve to leave
their comfortable conditions in Persia and return to their blessed
city of David. Dear NT believer, let the Spirit birthed yearnings for
our heavenly Zion and our glorious King, motivate and inspire and
compel us to press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call
of God in Christ Jesus (see Phil 3:14-note),
not becoming comfortable with this present world which is passing away
and even its lusts (cp 1John 2:15, 16, 17).
Dear Father in heaven, according
to Your great lovingkindness please grant that your redeemed sons and
daughters might have hearts like Ezra and Nehemiah such that we would
continually contemplate and yearn for Mount Zion and the city of the
living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (Heb 12:22-note),
and that this longing and passion might by Your grace cause us to
order our steps ever upward during our short sojourn as aliens and
strangers (1 Pe 2:11-note)
in this present evil age. For Thy glory. Amen.
The Persian
Kings during the time of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther -
1. CYRUS THE GREAT (550-530
B.C.).
This is the king that Isaiah had
long ago promised would come and deliver the children of Israel
(Isaiah 44:28; 45:1, 2, 3, 4, 5). He conquered the Babylonians and then allowed
the Jews to return to their homeland and to rebuild their temple (Ezra
chapter 1). Daniel was still alive when Cyrus was king (Daniel 1:21;
10:1).
2. CAMBYSES (530-522 B.C.)
3. SMERDIS (he ruled less than a year)
4. DARIUS THE GREAT (522-486 B.C.)
Darius made a decree that the work
of the temple should be continued without any hindrance (Ezra chapter
6). It was during his reign that the temple was completed (Ezra
chapter 6).
Note: Don’t confuse this king with Darius the Mede who is
mentioned in the book of Daniel (see Daniel 5:31; 6:1). Darius the
Mede was the governor of Babylon under Cyrus the Great.
5. AHASUERUS or XERXES (486-464
B.C.)
This is the king that we read about
in the book of Esther. Esther became his queen. He is also mentioned
in Ezra 4:6.
6. ARTAXERXES I (464-423 B.C.)
At first this king sent a decree
ordering the Jews to stop rebuilding the city and the walls (see Ezra
4:6-23). Later, however, he allowed his cupbearer, Nehemiah, to return
to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls (Nehemiah chapters 1-2). This
is also the same king who had earlier allowed Ezra to return (Ezra
7-8).
These were all great kings, but as we read the books of Ezra, Nehemiah
and Esther, we learn that there is a much greater KING in heaven who
is in control of all things! (adapted
from Middletown Bible synopsis)
Ezra
(see
dictionary discussion for
background on Ezra)
For
(Hebrew conjunction transliterated as "ki")
Don't miss this conjunction which is used in Hebrew to introduce an explanation
and
functions similar to a term of conclusion. The New Living
Translation although a paraphrase strongly emphasizes the linkage
between this passage and the preceding passages writing that...
This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the law of the
LORD and to teach those laws and regulations to the people of Israel.
The natural
question is "What is this?" or "What does for
explain?" and to answer we need to observe the previous passages where
we find the powerful truth that the good hand of the LORD was upon
Ezra..
For on the first of the first month
he began to go up from Babylon; and on the first of the fifth month he
came to Jerusalem, because the good hand of his God was upon
him. (Ezra 7:9)
Comment: The
Septuagint
rendering (For Esdras had determined in his heart to seek the law,
and to do and teach the ordinances and judgments in Israel.) is
almost identical to the Hebrew rendering. The
Septuagint
renders the Hebrew word
for "good" (tob) with the Greek adjective
agathos which describes that which is
"good" in its character or constitution and beneficial, useful or
profitable in its effect.
Agathos describes that which has the
proper characteristics for performing the expected function in a fully
satisfactory way. What better way to think of the "hand of Jehovah"!
Always sufficient for the need of the moment.
The metaphor of
being in someone's hand (or having their hand on someone) was
common in the OT and spoke of being in the power of that person or
entity. In the present context, the picture is one of God's power (His
"good hand") being upon Ezra the scribe, not to defeat him but to give
him the victory. This same phrase (hand of his God) is repeated several times in Ezra
and gives us a clue to the "secret" behind his strong leadership, his
influence with kings and his soul stirring preaching. Notice the
same phrase earlier in this chapter...
Ezra 7:6 This Ezra went up
from Babylon, and he was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, which
the LORD God of Israel had given; and the king granted him all he
requested because the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.
Comment: Why did this pagan
king grant Ezra his request? The Scripture clearly states "because the
hand of the LORD his God was upon him."
Here are the
other occurrences of the phrase the good hand of the LORD in
the book of Ezra...
Ezra 7:27 Blessed be the
LORD (the result of God's hand being upon him granting him favor was
to break out in a chorus of praise and thanksgiving, giving glory to
the only One Who should receive glory! As we experience His blessing
and hand upon us, may we also imitate Ezra's response!), the God of
our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to
adorn the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem, 28 and has
extended lovingkindness to me before the king and his counselors and
before all the king's mighty princes. Thus I was strengthened
according to the hand of the LORD my God upon me, and I gathered
leading men from Israel to go up with me.
Comment: This passage makes
it clear that it was God Who put such a thing into this pagan king’s
heart to allow Ezra and his fellow Jews to return and beautify the
house of the Lord in Jerusalem. As noted above (Ezra 7:6) Ezra still
had to go and ask for this favor (man's responsibility), even though
God had placed it in the king's heart (God's sovereignty). To go
before such a powerful monarch and ask for such extravagant
provisions for his people who were in captivity and whom the king
easily could have exterminated took courage. Where did Ezra derive
that courage? Read verse 28 again, which clearly states the source of
Ezra’s strength! There is an interesting principle here that God's
blesses but some of his blessings entail men fulfilling their
responsibility, the very principle Paul explains in the New
Testament (see notes
Philippians 2:12;
13)
Ezra 8:18 And according to
the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of
insight of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel,
namely Sherebiah, and his sons and brothers, 18 men;
Prayer and Fasting and
The Good Hand of the Lord
Ezra 8:22 For I was ashamed
to request from the king troops and horsemen to protect us from the
enemy on the way, because we had said to the king, "The hand of our
God is favorably disposed to all those who seek Him (exactly what
Ezra had purposed in his heart in Ezra 7:10), but His power and His
anger are against all those who forsake Him." 23 So we
fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He listened to
our entreaty.
Comment: This passage adds
another facet to the Ezra 710 principle (set heart, study, do, teach)
by emphasizing the role of prayer and fasting. This is not
surprising because intake of the pure Word into a godly heart will
stimulate Word centered, God exalting prayer.
Ezra 8:31 Then we journeyed
from the river Ahava on the twelfth of the first month to go to
Jerusalem; and the hand of our God was over us, and He
delivered us from the hand of the enemy and the ambushes by the way.
|
Summary of Effect of
God's Good Hand on Ezra |
|
Ezra 7:6 |
Provision |
|
Ezra 7:27, 28 |
Power |
|
Ezra 8:22,23 |
Protection |
Fear of the LORD and
The Good Hand of Jehovah
Here is another passage
that teaches a similar truth using a different anthropomorphism (eye
instead of hand)...
Behold, the eye of the LORD (cp
"hand of the LORD") is on
those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, to
deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine
(blessed = fully satisfied independent of the circumstances).
(Psalm 33:18, 19)
Comment: Deliverance from
evil does not come by military power, manpower, or horsepower but
spiritual power. And so we see that the Psalmist amplifies the Ezra
710 principle (set heart, study, do, teach, prayer and fasting in
Ezra 8:22, 23) with an individual's volitional choice to fear
(reverentially awe) Jehovah. (cp Ps 128:1, 2)
Nehemiah and
The Good Hand of Jehovah
Here are the other 2 uses of the
phrase "hand of Jehovah" or variation thereof in the life of Nehemiah, another OT saint
whom God used mightily to accomplish His work on earth...
Nehemiah 2:7 And I (Nehemiah)
said to the king (see ISBE article on
King Artaxerxes),
"If it please the king, let letters be given me for the governors of
the provinces beyond the River, that they may allow me to pass through
until I come to Judah, 2:8 and a letter to Asaph the keeper of
the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the
gates of the fortress which is by the temple, for the wall of the
city, and for the house to which I will go." And the king granted them
to me because the good hand of my God was on me.
Nehemiah 2:18 And I told
them (the Jews who would help build the wall) how the hand of my
God had been favorable to me (literally "the hand of my God
that is good upon me"), and also about the king's words which he
had spoken to me. Then they said, "Let us arise and build." So they
put their hands to the good work.
MISSING THE BLESSING
OF THE GOOD HAND OF THE LORD
This principle regarding the good hand of the LORD is
seen in the prophets words to King Asa (who sadly ignored them to
his detriment)...
2Chronicles 16:9 For
the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may
strongly support (cp "good hand of Jehovah") those whose heart is
completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on
you will surely have wars.
Comment: Note that this
verse also begins with for indicating that the writer is
explaining something previously stated, in context explaining why the
LORD had delivered Asa's (and Israel's) enemies into his hand or
power. Notice how King Asa serves as an example (cp 1Cor 10:6,
11) of one who clearly experienced the the good hand of the LORD upon
him as king over Judah giving him victories over his adversaries (read
2Chronicles 15:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,
17, 18, 19 and 2Chr 16:1ff for the historical context). Don't miss how
Asa's "success" (cp "good hand of the LORD") was integrally associated
with his hearing (and welcoming) the word of Jehovah through the
prophet Azariah (cp Ezra's setting his heart to study and practice the
Law of the LORD) in 2Chronicles 15. Then contrast the time of
blessing ("good hand upon") of Jehovah in 2Chronicles 15:15, with
the consequences of refusing to receive and practice the Word of God
delivered to King Asa through Hanani the seer in 2Chronicles 16:1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. The upshot - you can experience the good hand
of the LORD for a season and you can lose it by failing to continue to
let the word of Christ dwell in you richly! (see Col 3:16-note)
If any may thinks he stands, he had better take heed lest he fall. God
is opposed to ("stiff arms"!) the proud (cp "the heavy hand of
Jehovah") but gives grace to the humble ("the good hand").
Lot, a
righteous man (clearly a true believer - see 2Pe 2:6-note;
2Pe 2:7-note;
2Pe 2:8-note;
2Pe 2:9-note)
is another sad example of a man who missed the blessing of the good
hand of the LORD. In Genesis 13 the growth of the flocks of Abram and
Lot led to strife and the need for them to separate. Abram gave Lot
"first choice", a choice which resulted in Lot's missing the "good
hand of the LORD". Note the progression in the following passages...
Genesis 13:10 And Lot
lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that
it was well watered everywhere—this was before the LORD destroyed
Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt
as you go to Zoar. 11 So Lot chose for himself
all the valley of the Jordan; and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they
separated from each other. 12 Abram settled in the land of
Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and
moved his tents as far as Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were
wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD.
Lot
looked, chose, and settled ("became comfortable"
rather than living as an alien and stranger - see 1Pe 1:1-note;
1 Peter 2:11-note) and
missed the good hand of the LORD. In Genesis 19:16 we see that Lot
was so settled in Sodom that the hand of God's angels
had to yank he and his whole family out of that moral cesspool! Let us
remember Lot's example, lest our looking and choosing in this fleeting
life cause us to miss the good hand of the Lord on our life, our
family, our ministry! Or as Jesus commanded his listeners in (Luke
17:32) "Remember
(present
imperative
= keep on remembering. Why? Because our tendency is to drift, to
forget!) Lot's wife" because she lingered and looked back (Ge 19:26)
and paid for her disobedience with her life.
May God grant us each grace and
mercy so that we as godly men and leaders of our churches and families
will not forget these tragic OT examples of men who missed the
blessing of the good hand of the LORD! Amen
EZRA
A MAN OF ONE BOOK
God's
good hand was clearly associated with the provision, power and
protection in Ezra's ministry. And as we see seen the root of divine
blessing was that Ezra was a "man of the book" (scratch him
anywhere and he "bled Bible"), a
man like Apollos who was mighty in the Scriptures (Acts 18:24). Ezra
is a worthy model for any preacher who desires to be used mightily by
the Lord.
The Pulpit
Commentary comments on the good hand of the LORD upon Ezra
writing that...
His (Ezra's) soul felt the
quickening touch of the Divine finger, and it kindled with a sacred
glow of piety and zeal. He was moved of God to attempt great things,
and helped of God to achieve them. His life flowed on like a
fertilizing river (Ed: cp Ps 1:2), and did so because “all his springs
were in God” (Ps 87:7). Our character may contain much that is
excellent, and our lives include much that is honourable, but except
the “hand of the Lord our God be upon us,” renewing our heart
and blessing our life, we shall not be or do that which is pleasing to
him or useful to our fellows (Ed: Cp Jesus' words in John 15:5). (The
Pulpit Commentary: Ezra. H. D. M. Spence-Jones, Ed.)
><>><>><>
(1) Ezra “sought the law of the Lord.” No study more remunerative—more
ennobling—more pleasing to God.
(2) He sought it in earnest. “prepared his heart,” viz., by raising it
above impure prejudices; by seeking the light of the great Inspirer in
prayer.
(3) He reduced it to practice. He prepared his heart “to do it.”
Glorious example. His life was therefore righteous, and his influence
consequently great—viz., (a) With God. (b) With the king. (c) With the
people.
(4) And “he taught it to Israel.” He taught Israel the “statutes,”
viz., precepts and “judgments,” viz., sanctions (1 Kings 6:12; Ezek.
11:12). What a degenerate succession from the noble Ezra were the
scribes of our Lord’s day! Let us emulate his qualities.—J. A. M. (The
Pulpit Commentary: Ezra. H. D. M. Spence-Jones, Ed.)
><>><>><>
Ezra: his character and work.
The study of human character and of human life is not only an
essential part of human knowledge, but of spiritual culture. Biography
is a means of grace. We do well to follow in thought the lines along
which the noblest of our race have moved: we are thereby attracted
toward them, and grow up toward their spiritual stature. We may learn
from the life and character of Ezra by considering—
I. What we know he was and did.
He was—
1. A priest, claiming
descent, as we see, from Aaron (Ezra 7:5); and we doubt not that he
discharged, faithfully and conscientiously, the duties of the
priesthood. He was, moreover, what came to be called—
2. A scribe (Ezra 7:6),
i.e., (1) a student, (2) an interpreter, and (3) a copyist of the law.
Ezra “prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it,
and to teach,” etc. (Ezra 7:10).
These three functions of the scribe
include the three most important duties a man can undertake: viz.,
(1) his duty of himself, in
studying the will of God as revealed in his word, that he may have it
in his own heart; and,
(2) his duty to his own generation,
in teaching his fellows what he has learned: in interpreting, in
“giving the sense” (Neh. 8:8), in “teaching statutes and judgments”
(Ezra 7:10), i. e. in declaring and enforcing the great truths which
God had revealed, especially those which affected the duty and the
prospects of the Jewish people; and
(3) his duty to his race, in
copying, and thus multiplying and preserving intact the word and the
very words of God. Ezra “gave his heart” to this (Ezra 7:10), and the
result was that he did it with conspicuous and commanding ability
(Neh. 8). He was a “ready scribe” (Ezra 7:6).
3. Administrator and
reformer. He conducted the party whom he headed to Jerusalem in
peace and safety (Ezra 7:8); there he established himself as leader of
the people, and set about the work of reforming abuses with a vigorous
hand. His ardour led to a serviceable organisation and reform. He
seems also to have been, as few strong-willed men are, a co-operator
with others. He acted with Nehemiah, the governor, and it may well
have been difficult to define strictly their respective offices.
4. Man of influence with his
fellows. There was that about him, due to the elevation and
disinterestedness of his character as well as to the vigour and
robustness of his mind, which gave him strange influence with the
king, so that he gave him leave to lead out a large return party, and
also entrusted him with large powers in the commission. Men who, like
Ezra, earnestly seek the will of God and do what they know to be right
(Ezra 7:10), and lay themselves out for “doing good and communicating”
(Heb. 13:16), are likely to have power with men.
5. Man through whom God wrought.
“The hand of the Lord his God was upon him” (Ezra 7:6, 9,
etc.). His soul felt the quickening touch of the Divine finger, and it
kindled with a sacred glow of piety and zeal. He was moved of God to
attempt great things, and helped of God to achieve them. His life
flowed on like a fertilizing river (Ed: cp the man of Ps 1:2),
and did so because “all his springs were in God” (Ps 87:7). Our
character may contain much that is excellent, and our lives include
much that is honourable, but except the hand of the Lord our God be
upon us, renewing our heart and blessing our life, we shall not be
or do that which is pleasing to him or useful to our fellows.
II. Generally received tradition
respecting Ezra.
It is commonly believed among the
Jews that he instituted the Great Synagogue, that he settled the canon
of Scripture, that he himself wrote the books of the Chronicles, Ezra,
Nehemiah, and (perhaps) Esther, and that he established the system of
synagogue worship. This last arose about his time, and, if indeed due
to him, is a work which laid his countrymen, and indeed us all (for
had not the forms of the synagogue something, if not much, to do with
the forms of the early Church?), under a heavy debt of gratitude. Ezra
was a holy and zealous man, with a strong mind and a firm will,
exercising a commanding influence on his contemporaries, making the
word of God the basis and mainspring of his action, seeking and
striving for the purity of the people of God. Some things he did we
know. Others we know not of. We may not be so great and distinguished
as he was. It may not be in our power to render such signal services
as he did, or to leave behind us such a reputation as he has left. Yet
in the essentials of his character and work we may be like him. We
also may—
(1) Be devout students of God’s
will as revealed in his word—“preparing our heart to seek the law of
the Lord, and to do it.”
(2) Open our hearts to receive
heavenly influences; gain by humility, docility, and prayer” the hand
of the Lord our God upon us,” so that he will dwell in us and work
through us.
(3) Make known the will of God to
others, teaching in some sphere, higher or humbler, the word of God
and the truth of Jesus Christ.
(4) Co-operate cheerfully with
others, yielding our preferences to theirs, being “of the same mind in
the Lord” with those who are our fellow-labourers in the field of
Christian work. And if we do this as did Ezra, we shall, like him,
(5) do that which men will mark and
praise, but much more that they will not record; much, however, that
will not be unwritten in some book of God, and that will “in no wise
lose its reward.”—C. (The Pulpit Commentary: Ezra. H. D. M.
Spence-Jones, Ed.)
To reiterate, God’s sovereign
hand of blessing and empowerment was on Ezra because
he was a "Word saturated man" one who "marinated" himself in
the pure milk of the Word and then lived out what the Spirit taught
him in his studies.
As Horatio Bonar once
advised...
