September 25: Ezra 7-10

September 25, Ezra 7-10

Ezra continued…

Ezra 7 We are now introduced to Ezra. He was a scribe and skilled in the Law of Moses. His lineage goes all the way back to Aaron! He was granted favor by the king because God’s favor was upon him. He went up to Jerusalem with a bunch of others and it took them about 5 months to get there. They sought God for protection against their enemies and God protected them the whole way. King Artaxerxes gave Ezra a letter basically saying that permits any other Jew to go with Ezra to Jerusalem and he commissions Ezra to govern the people of Judah. In addition, the king gave Ezra a bunch of money to be used for the sacrifices to God and whatever else was needed. If that wasn't enough, Ezra was given permission to utilize any money that was in the treasury to do whatever he felt that God needed him to do. He told Ezra to appoint judges and leaders and that if people did not submit to what God was doing, he had the permission to deal with them however seemed right. Ezra couldn't help but praise God for the blessing and working through the king in such a mighty way.

Ezra 8 begins with a genealogy of those who travelled with him to Jerusalem. While they were on their journey to Jerusalem, Ezra realized that they didn't have any Levites with them! They needed Levites to run the temple… How did God respond? “And by the good hand of our God on us, they brought us a man of discretion…” God always works it out for His purpose! Ezra declared a fast there to gain God’s protection for the rest of the journey, and God honored it and protected them. God was testing their faith a bit…

They arrived safely with all possessions in Jerusalem. They offered a bunch of offerings to God in Jerusalem! What a celebration...

Ezra 9 After the offerings, some officials approached Ezra and told him that not all all the Israelites and priests and Levites have separated themselves from the people of abominations (neighbors) and have intermarried - it was the leaders that led the way for this sin. Ezra was devastated and tore his clothes and mourned. Other obedient Israelites joined his mourning. Ezra fasted till evening and repented to God for the sins of the people and recognized all their sins. But God did leave a remnant of His people because He didn't forsake them or abandon them, but showed His steadfast love. 

What was the resolve? They realized they couldn't get this all wrong again and decided it would be best to not have intermarriages (that were against God’s laws because it led to sin and idolatry). God had punished them less than what their sins deserved. 

Ezra 10 Ezra was a godly leader. He came before the people and wept bitterly to the Lord and made confession of their sins. Shecaniah suggested that they mage a conveant to God to put away all the foreign wives and kids out of obedience and tremble at the commandment of God. They banned the foreigners and all the people recognized how severe their sins were. Ezra proclaimed again their sins and exhorted the people to make their own confessions and to separate themselves. They obeyed. 

The priests were the greatest offenders and they too repented.  

To sum it all up: 

• Short story - don’t mess with God! He will have His way!! 
• God is calling us to holy living and nothing less. Get rid of the things in your life that God has clearly spoken against and pursue Him while there is still time.